House Training a Dog – How to Teach Your Dog to Ring a Bell to Go Out

Do you think that house training a dog can be easy? Well, I do. Dog potty training is simple and fun WHEN THE PUPPY TELLS YOU when she wants to go outside to do her business. One of my favorite things to do is to simply teach your dog how to ring a bell when he needs to go outside.

…All dogs love to learn tricks and play games.

The reason why the “Ring a Bell to Go Out” trick works so well is because not only does it get the dog to do what you want, but it makes him think that it was his idea in the first place! In order to teach your dog how to ring a bell to go outside, simply follow these simple instructions.

(By the way, if you’d like a complete step-by-step video on how this is done, check out this house training a dog entry on the Best Dog Ever blog. It’s fantastic!)

*Step 1. Find a bell. Use a bell that’s light weight. (Don’t use something that’s 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 dachshund will need a bell that smaller than a Labrador retriever would need.)

*Step 2. Hang the bell from a door knob …in easy reach of the dog’s nose. (Remember, nose level is different for Yorkshire Terriers and German Shepherds.)

*Step 3. Each and every time, you should say “Outside” before you take the dog out? 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. (If you need to shake the string so the bell rings, shake it.) Repeat this for just a few more days. What happens is that your dog starts to link up the sound of the bell with the behavior you want, which is 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. Wait and watch. There are a couple of things that could happen …and both of them are positive! Some dogs will smell the food on the bell instantly, and go to it and ring it right away.. 
Perfect! Say “Outside?” …So now it’s time to get the door open, take the dog directly to the potty area, and say “go potty.* Remember to reward the dog with a food treat and praise when she potties.

Some dogs and a little extra incentive to go and 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 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, you want to say “Outside?” … Okay, now open the door, take your dog right 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. 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.

Learning proper strategies for house training a dog is great for dogs of all ages! Don due to bladder problems, some older dogs will often need to make more frequent bathroom trips. …However, the bell reminds us.

Rescue dogs, for example, find it fairly easy to pick up on the difference between an acceptable inside behavior and an acceptable outside behavior because they may have never lived inside of a house before.

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.

Just bring the dog’s bell with you and tie it on the motel door. …accidents won’t be something you have to worry about!