Potty Training Your Puppy Using Dog Training Bells

Hang your dog training bells on the inside knob of the door that your dog uses to go outside. If your dog uses more than one door, you should hang them on those doors, as well.

Note: A good set of dog training bells has the hanging loop is conveniently split and fitted with hook and loop tape to securely attach to every style of knob and handle.

Decide on a “Potty Training Command” for your puppy

We suggest the plain and simple: “Let’s go make!”. Be sure that everyone in your household uses the same command with your dog, as consistency is vital.

Getting started

We feel the best time to start potty training your puppy is first thing in the morning when you know your dog really has to make! While stating your “Potty training Command”, take your dog’s paw and gently swat it against the dog training bells. Since he will be needing to make urgently, only guide them to ring the bells a couple of quick times. While doing this, give them words of encouragement such as: “Good boy, good bells” and “Ring the bells, let’s go make!”. Note: if your dog is so tiny that they can’t reach the bells while standing, gently pop your dog up onto their back legs and guide a front paw to the bells.

DO NOT give them treats at this time. You don’t want to accidentally train your dog to think that ringing the bell is a trick! Only AFTER your dog goes out to make (and actually makes!) do you then reward them with a treat. Again, no treat unless they actually relieves themselves!

Repetition

Repeat the above training method every time you take them out to make. Be consistent and diligent with this training, and your dog will soon be ringing the bells by themselves!

It’s also critical that you continue to praise your puppy when they ring the dog training bells, as it will further reinforce this positive style of communicating their needs.

Additionally, if you have several dogs in your household, they can all be bell trained simultaneously. It doesn’t matter if you are potty training a puppy or an old dog, they can all learn to use bells! Some dogs catch on in days, while others take longer – even up to 4 weeks. Be patient and, again, use lots of positive reinforcement. Once your dog has mastered the bell ringing, feel free to take your dog training bells on the road to Grandma’s house – or even a hotel room! Immediately show your dog where you’ve hung their bells. Then they will know, wherever the bells are hanging, is the door they will use to go outside to make.