Training Tip Ringing a Bell to Go Potty

Training Tip: Ringing a Bell to Go Potty

There are many ways in which you can train your dog to let you know when they need to go outside and potty.  Teaching them how to ring a bell is not only fun, but efficient.  It prevents your dog from needing to resort to such “uncivilized” behavior such as barking or scratching at the door to tell you that they want to go outside.  Please see our tips below on how to train your dog to ring a bell to go outside to potty.

  1. Introduce your dog to the bell.  Show your dog the bell and allow them to touch it with their nose.  Praise them and let them know that the bell is a good thing.  Remember to put the bell away when you are not practicing with it.
  2. It’s time to work on ringing the bell.  Give your dog a treat when they ring the bell by touching it.
  3. Hang the bell by the door that is used to go outside for potty breaks.  Make sure that the door is closed and then point to the bell.  When your dog rings the bell, open the door and let them get the treat.  Once your dog rings the bell right away, you can place the treat outside.
  4. The next time your dog must go potty, go with them to the door and point to the bell.  When they ring the bell, open the door, and allow them outside to go potty.
  5. Think about the maintenance phase.  Leave the bell on the door and let your dog out when they ring it.  Keep in mind that the point of the bell is to alarm you that they need to go potty.  If your dog starts to play or get distracted, bring them inside.  This will teach them that the bell is only for potty purposes.