Do you feel that house training a dog can be stress-free? Well, I do. House training a dog is fine when the dog simply tells you that he needs to go outside. One of my favorite things to do is to simply teach your dog how to ring a bell when he needs to go outside.
…Every dog simply loves learning tricks and playing games.
The “Ring a Bell to Go Outside” method helps you to get your dog to do exactly what you want but for him to think that it was his idea all along! If you want to teach your dog to ring a bell when he needs to go outside, all you need to do is follow these easy steps.
(Also, if you want to see a full step-by-step video on how this is done, go see this house training a dog entry on the Best Dog Ever website. It’s fantastic!)
*Step 1. Find a bell. Use a light-weight bell. (You want to make sure you don’t use something too heavy, like a cow bell.) Of course it’s important to make sure you select the right size for your particular dog. (For example, a poodle doesn’t need a bell it’s as big as a German shepherd would need.)
*Step 2. Hang the bell from a door knob …so the dog can easily reach it with his nose. (Remember, nose level is different for Yorkshire Terriers and German Shepherds.)
*Step 3. It’s important to remember that you need to say “outside” before taking the dog out? Do you want to go outside?” As you go through the door, move the bell so that the dog will bump into it and it will ring. (Don’t be afraid to shake the bell if you have to to make it ring.) All you have to do is repeat these steps for a couple days. What will eventually happen is that your dog will start to associate the sound of the bell with going outside.
*Step 4. Once your dog isn’t watching, you can then place a small amount of cheese or peanut butter on the bell.
*Step 5. Now what? Well, wait and watch. There are a couple of things that could happen …both of them good! Some dogs will smell the food on the bell instantly, and go to it and ring it right away.. Perfect! Say “Outside?” …Now you want to open the door, lead your dog to the potty area, and tell her to “go potty.” Reward the dog when she potties with praise and a small food treat.
Other dogs need to be encouraged to find the bell. If that happens to you try this: Hold the bell close to the dog’s nose so the dog smells the peanut butter, licks it, and rings the bell.
You can help your dog by shaking the bell so that it makes a sound, if your dog’s touch is too light to make it actually ring.) As the bell rings, in a happy voice say “Outside?” … Now you want to open the door, lead your dog to the potty area, and tell her to “go potty.”
While the dog is pottying, softly repeat saying “go potty.” Then, make sure to give your dog praise and a treat as a reward.
*Step 6. As soon as the dog can ring the bell easily, without your help, that’s the time to ask your dog “Outside?”…now simply wait by the door for the dog to touch the bell and ring it. Next, lead your dog outside while she does her business.
Learning the right techniques for house training a dog is good for dogs of all ages! Don’t forget that older dogs will often times need more frequent bathroom trips. …But the bell reminds us.
Certain dogs, like rescue dogs for example, who may have never lived in a house, are quick to learn the difference between inside manners and outside behaviors.
If you want your dog to live in your house with you, and you don’t have a doggie door, this trick will keep your home accident free. As an added bonus, this works great when your dog goes away with you for a vacation.
All you have to do is bring your dog bell when you go away and tie it on the door. …you can forget about having to worry about accidents!
