Potty training is a necessity for most people who wants a comfortable life with their pets without the messy parts. Like every other dog training, potty training requires patience and consistence throughout the whole training regimen. Potty training is useful not just for indoor dogs but also for your dogs that usually stay in the backyard.
Proper potty training even from a young age would make your dog be more obedient with pooping and peeing inside the house but also in your yard.
Doing potty training may require different materials. Some would include potty pads to make it easier while some would exploit giving out rewards to your puppy. However, it is unknown to most dog owners that you can also use a bell in potty training your puppy.
It has a similar function with a clicker, wherein you reinforce the sound of the bell to the behavior of going potty. Check out the steps below to have a successful potty training of your puppy with the use of the bell.
1. Purchase a bell
The first thing that you need in potty training a puppy with the use of a bell is of course, a bell! You may choose between different types of bells to use. There are various bell types, like jingly bells, wind chimes, hand bell, or a bell that you can press on.
Most of these bells could be hanged on the door knob with the means of a string or any material that you can use to tie with. Some would even opt to use service bells that could be situated near the door.
2. Make the bell accessible to your puppy
After deciding on a bell, place the bell in an area where your puppy will be able to access it. A bell that could be pressed like service bells are best fixed on the floor next to your door that leads to his potty area.
If you are going to use a hand bell, you can have it hanged on the inside door knob of the same door. Be sure that it is hung low enough to allow your puppy to reach it with his paw or nose.
3. Familiarizing your dog with the bell
At first, your dog might get confused with the first sight of the bell as it is a foreign object to him. You have to encourage him to make a noise with it. Try ringing the bell first and see if he mimics your actions to ring the bell.
Put some treats near the bell to encourage him to associate the bell positively so as not to get him afraid of it. As he gets more comfortable, you will see that he will be able to stay around the bell for a long period of time without getting freaked out or afraid.
4. Associate a phrase with the bell sound
Most dog owners would also associate the sound of the bell with a simple command like “let’s go potty” or “go pee”. This is to have a double association with the command along with the potty behavior, so your dog would not just go outside in the ring of a bell, but he will only go if you both say the command and ring the bell.
5. Observe your dog’s potty behaviors
Some dogs can be easy to read, especially puppies. Whenever they are going to pee, they would usually walk around in circles or even get stiff whenever their poop is about to come out. Take a mental note of these behaviors, along with the associated schedule for them.
Some puppies would even pee or poop after waking up from a nap, and some would even take a dump after having a large meal. These behaviors will make it easier for you to let your puppy associate it with the bell.
6. Practicing potty with the bell
As you have already noted these behavioral signs of going potty, it is time to associate going potty with the bell. Every time he shows the behavior, ring the bell and get him outside to his special place – fast! Being fast will avoid accidents occurring along the way from inside to outside your home.
Make sure to be consistent with the number of bell rings and even the command/phrase that you are going to use. Be sure that the bell is loud enough to be heard by your puppy just before pooping or peeing.
7. Treats
Whenever he successfully goes potty with the sound of the bell, give out treats to further reinforce the behavior of going potty with the bell sound. Other rewards that you could give out is having an extended time playing with his favorite ball, or even a tummy rub that he would love.
The key is, you have to know what your puppy likes in order for you to be able to give out the perfect reward for him.
8. Repetition
Repeat the practice for a multiple time whenever needed. If you have noted the behaviors related to your puppy, try ringing the bell after waking up then leading him to his special potty area and wait for him to pee. Just be consistent and do not allow others to ring the bell itself. In time, you will notice that the puppy itself would ring the bell before going potty.
By following the steps above, you would be sure to get surprised if you see your puppy ringing the bell to go potty. He himself will now signal you instead of you rushing out to ring the bell before making him go potty outside. Just be consistent with the training and have proper patience regarding your pup.
Do not punish him for bad behavior as it would waste your efforts in training the puppy to the sound of the bell. You can do this method to train multiple dogs at the same time, but it could be taxing introducing them to the bell and potty area at the start. Good luck with your puppy’s potty training!
My puppy has taken well to the potty bell ringing. Maybe to well!!! She rings it even when she doesn’t need to potty. How do I stop this behavior?
Thanks