How to Train Your Dog to Ring a Bell to Go Out
The tinkle you hear when your dog needs to go should be a bell. If you don't have a doggie door that allows your dog to exit your house by himself, you need to set up a form of communication so you can understand his needs. If he always runs to the door when he wants to go outside, whether for potty or for play, you can't be certain what he needs. One way to be sure is to set up a bell that he can ring. But first, your dog must be trained to only ring it when he needs to relieve himself.
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Instructions
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Use a clicker to communicate with your dog. Say "touch clicker." Associate the clicker with food. Encourage your dog to touch the clicker with his nose by rubbing some food onto the clicker. Give your dog a treat whenever you say "touch" and he touches it.
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Attach a bell to the door at your dog's nose level. Repeat the process with the bell. Say "touch bell." Whenever your dog touches the bell, he gets a treat.
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Say "outside" when he touches the bell. Take your dog out so he can relieve himself whenever he touches the bell. He will associate the bell with going outside and will ring it when he wants to go out.
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Make sure your dog really has to go and doesn't just want to play outside. If he does relieve himself, give him a treat. If he doesn't, bring him back in after 2 minutes and put him in his crate for a few minutes without a treat. Eventually he will associate the bell with going outside only when he needs to go and will no longer require a treat.
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References
- Photo Credit Apple Tree House/Lifesize/Getty Images
