House Training a Dog – Teach the “Ring a Bell” Technique
Do you believe that house training a dog can be easy? Well, I do. If you can teach your dog how to tell you when he needs to go outside, house training a dog becomes simple and fun. Teaching your dog to ring a bell when he needs to go out is one of my favorite methods.
…All and dogs enjoy playing games and learning new tricks.
This trick “Ring A Bell To Go Out” gets the dog to do what you want – go outside to do her business – but think it’s her idea! In order to teach your dog how to ring a bell to go outside, simply follow these simple instructions.
(By the way, if you want to see a full step-by-step video on how this is done, visit this house training a dog entry on the Best Dog Ever blog. It’s awesome!)
*Step 1. Find a bell. You want to be using a light-weight bell here and. (Don’t use a heavy metal cow bell.) Remember to consider the size of your dog when you’re choosing the size of the bell. (A dachshund needs a smaller bell than a Labrador retriever.)
*Step 2. Hang the bell from a door knob …within easy reach of your dog’s nose. (Remember, nose level is going to be more than a bit different for a poodle vs. a labrador.)
*Step 3. Now, make sure to say “outside” before you actually take the dog out through the door? Do you want to go outside?” Now, go out through the door, and manipulate the string so that the dog can’t help but bump into it and make it ring. (Don’t be afraid to shake the bell if you have to to make it ring.) Repeat this for just a few more days. This step associates the sound of the bell with a behavior – go outside to do your business.
*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 simply wait and watch. Now, two things are possible …both of them good! Some dogs immediately smell the peanut butter, go to the bell, and ring it.. Perfect! Say “Outside?” …Now you want to open the door, lead your dog to the potty area, and tell her to “go potty.* Remember to reward the dog with a food treat and praise when she potties.
Other dogs might need a little encouragement to find the bell. If this is something that happens to you, there’s a way around it — simply hold the bell close to your dog’s nose so that he wants to lick it, and rings the bell.
You might have to shake the string tied onto the bell so that the bell makes a couple of rings if the dog’s tongue barely moves the bell.) When the bell rings, now is the time to use your happy voice to ask “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, Reward the dog with praise and a small food treat.
*Step 6. After the dog easily rings the bell, without your help, ask the dog “Outside?”…and now it’s time to wait patiently by the door until your dog figures out what you want and rings the bell. Next, lead your dog outside while she does her business.
Understanding the right strategies for house training a dog is good for dogs of all ages! Don due to bladder problems, some older dogs will often need to make more frequent bathroom trips. …But the bell reminds us.
Rescue dogs that have never lived inside a house, quickly learn the difference between “inside” house manners and “outside” house behaviors.
Any dog that lives in a house without a doggy door will keep your home accident-free when they learn how to ring a bell. As an added bonus, this works great when your dog goes away with you for a vacation.
Simply bring the bell with you the next time you go away and attach it to the door of your room. …accidents won’t be something you have to worry about!
Happy Feet Rosie Yorkshire Terrier Puppy