It is surprisingly easy to potty train your puppy. Being consistent and patient are crucial in potty training your puppy. Using a dog potty bell for training is one way to teach your puppy to go outside. Even if you are inexperienced in dog training, you can successfully train your puppy to use a potty bell. We were able to train our puppy KENZO in just two weeks.
What is a Dog Potty Bell?
A dog potty bell is a communication tool for your puppy to alert you when it’s time to go outside. You simply hang or place the dog potty bell on or by your door. Instead of barking or scratching the door/floor, your puppy rings the bell.
Two Types of Dog Potty Bell
There are two types of dog potty bells you can use: 1) Door Bell that you hang on the doorknob or 2) Call Bell or Buzzer Bell that you place on the floor. We used a Buzzer Bell where the ring pad diameter is perfect for the dog’s nose or paw. We also chose to use a Buzzer Bell with a Honk Honk sound instead of a bell sound.
5 Benefits of Dog Potty Bell Training
1. A better way for your puppy to communicate and helps strengthen your bond.
2. It replaces the excessive barking and scratching the door or walls.
3. The positive reinforcement techniques involved in training with the potty bell will help your puppy to likely repeat good behaviors.
4. Can help build your puppy confidence.
5. Effective and fun potty time routine; especially when your puppy learns the proper behavior.
Dog Bell Potty Training
You can teach your puppy to ring the bell two ways; using their nose or paw. Many prefer to train their dog to use his nose to potentially avoid scratching up the door or wall or floor. Our puppy KENZO learned both ways and basically used his instinct. He used his nose to ring the door potty bell and his paw on the buzzer bell.
5 Steps on How to Teach Your Puppy to Use a Dog Potty Bell?
1. Introduce the Dog Potty Bell to Your Puppy
Hold the door potty bell close to your dog’s nose. Use a spreadable treat like peanut butter or cheese to entice your puppy to approach the bell and touch it with his nose.
For the buzzer bell, hold it in your hand and once your puppy touches the bell with his paw or nose, say yes and reward him with a treat.
Keep your potty bell training short; for about 5 to 10 minutes. A puppy best assimilate information in shorter doses. Repeat until your puppy is comfortable and relaxed with the bell noise.
2. When your puppy touches the bell without hesitation, add word commands such as touch or bell, or outside, or ring the bell or any cue you want to give.
3. Once your puppy learns the cue of touching and ringing the bell, hang the dog door potty bell on the doorknob or place the buzzer bell by the door.
It is important to pair your verbal cue with the physical cue. It means that when you say “Ring the Bell” also point to the bell or buzzer.
Also, always verbally praise your puppy and follow up with a treat. Positive reinforcement teaches your puppy that he gets rewarded for ringing the bell and going potty outside.
Teach Your Puppy That Bell Means To Go Outside
4. Assist your puppy to associate ringing the bell to go outside. Before opening the door, say the verbal cue, then let your puppy ring the bell. Right away, reward him with a treat, clip his leash, then open the door.
5. Gradually fade out the verbal cue and simply point to the bell, then wait for your puppy to touch and ring the bell.
Be on your guard that your puppy is not misusing this new skill. Your puppy must be ringing the bell to go outside to potty only and not to play.
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Our Experienced Using Dog Potty Bell
Our puppy KENZO immediately learned that ringing the bell means going potty outside. We were able to eliminate the verbal cue after two weeks. Then, from a distance, KENZO was able to ring the bell and alerted us.
Where to Buy Dog Potty Bell?
4 Dog Potty Bell for Potty Training
(Disclosure: Products mentioned below contain Amazon affiliate referral link; we may receive a commission from your purchases.)
1. PoochieBells is the original dog potty training doorbell. We use PoochieBells on our patio door. This product is an Amazon Choice.
2. BLUETREE Doorbells are great for two reasons: 1) adjustable doorbell and 2) two-pack which is convenient to have especially if you have multiple doors at your home. This product is an Amazon Best Seller.
3. VIMOV Pet Training Bells is a set of 2 dog call bells with a non-skid rubber base. This product is an Amazon Choice.
What Buzzer Bell We Used To Train Our Puppy?
4. Learning Resources Answer Buzzers is a set of 4 assorted colored buzzers. This kind of buzzer bell is not sold for potty training usage. We decided to use this because of the wider ring pad and the sounds. We selected the purple buzzer that delivered a Honk Honk sound. Also, the sound tone is not too loud and did not startle him; actually made it fun and one reason he learned quickly.
Do It Yourself: Make Your Own At Home Dog Potty Bell
You will need a sturdy string or ribbon (riband), d-rings and bells that jingles (just like the holiday bells).
1. In order to know how big the loop and how long, using a string or ribbon, tie a loop around your doorknob and cut the string or ribbon. (Make the desired length a little longer; to provide extra room to tie the bells).
2. Slide the bells onto the a d-ring.
3. Tie the end of the string or ribbon.
4. Tie a bow then cut the string or ribbon. (You can re-enforce the bow and bells with a hot glue.)
5. Hang on your doorknob and introduce to your puppy!
Puppy potty training can be frustrating and it takes consistency and patience. Consistency is a vital part of the potty training process. It is important you offer lots of praise and treats every time your puppy rings the bell and potties outside; especially at the beginning of the training. Also, expect that your puppy will have accidents. Don’t be discouraged as it takes lots of patience and time to properly potty train your puppy. With patience and consistency, your puppy will be potty trained in no time using dog potty bells.
What’s your experience potty training your puppy using dog potty bells?
