How to Have Your Dog Ring a Bell to Tell You He Wants Out

Has potty training your dog been difficult because he doesn't give you a clear signal that he wants out? Teach him to ring a bell to let you know that he needs to go outside.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A bell or wind chime
• A training clicker (optional)

1. Find a bell (or a wind chime) that rings loud enough for you to hear when hung on the back door.

2. Hold the bell up for your dog to see. It is a novel item so your dog will most likely investigate. When your dog looks at the bell, mark the behavior and give him a treat. You can mark a behavior with a verbal marker such as the word "yes" or use a clicker.

3. Now we are going to shape the behavior. Every time your dog looks at the bell, mark and treat immediately. When he is doing this reliably, start to ask for a bit more. Wait for him to touch the bell with his nose. Again, mark and treat. As soon as your dog figures out that touching the bell gets him a treat, you won't be able to keep up with him. That's good!

4. You've got your dog ringing the bell like a champ, so now we'll add a cue word. Every time your dog rings the bell, say "touch". Say it as he is ringing it, not before. When you feel your dog is associating the cue word with the behavior, start to say, "touch" slightly before he rings the bell. Soon, you will be able to say, "touch" and your dog will understand that you want him to ring the bell.

5. Now we are going to chain behaviors together. Hang the bell on the doorknob or near the door your dog uses to go outside. Show him the bell and say, "touch". When he rings it, treat him, then open the door immediately to let him out. He will soon learn that ringing the bell means access to the great outdoors!

6. Fade out the treats (and clicker if you're using one). Now the reward for your dog is getting what wants, access to outdoors.

Tips & Warnings

• Some dogs will use their paws to ring the bell. That's fine too!
• Do not place the treat on the bell. This will only teach the dog that bells have treats on them. We want him to learn that it's the behavior of touching the bell that earns him a treat.
• Set yourself and your dog up for success. Once your dog is a champion bell-ringer, make sure he always rings it when you know he needs to go potty, like first thing in the morning. He's more likely to associate the bell with potty training and not with going out to chase squirrels.
• You can also teach your dog to ring a bell to come in. It's a great alternative behavior for dogs that are currently ruining doors by scratching.

[Lilfix]

on 4/18/2009 Thanks for the great tips on how to have your dog ring a bell to tell you he wants out...Our pup stands in front of the t.v. or beside you and just stares at you until we get the hint...grin...I will have to try this little bell trick, so he can get our attention faster...RRRC5*

[tabzeekat]

on 4/17/2009 How to Have Your Dog Ring a Bell to Tell You He Wants Out - Oh My Gosh! This is AMAZING! I have to teach my dog to do this! This would be the cutest thing ever! 5* !

[tachic]

on 2/18/2009 I never thought about that! My dogs wanted out all the time only to want to come back in so in went a doggy door!

[ilivetoteach]

on 2/16/2009 I did this with my dogs. They caught on quickly. It works great. *5