House Training a Dog Guide

Do you believe that house training a dog can be stress-free? Well, I do. Housetraining a dog or puppy can be very simple when you teach him to simply tell you when he needs to go outside to do his business. If you can teach your dog to ring a bell to go outside, it's a great method.

...Every dog simply loves learning tricks and playing 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! To teach your puppy or dog how to ring a bell, follow these simple steps.

(By the way, if you want to see a full step-by-step video on how this is done, go see this house training a dog entry on the Best Dog Ever blog. It's amazing!)

*Step 1. Find a bell. You want to be using a light-weight bell here and. (Don't use something that's heavy, like a cow bell.) Remember to consider the size of your dog when you're choosing the size of the bell. (For example, a poodle doesn't need a bell it's as big as a German shepherd would need.)

*Step 2. Hang the bell from a door knob ...it should be within easy reach of your dog's nose. (Remember also that different breeds will require different heights.)

*Step 3. Every time before you take the dog out, say "Outside? Do you want to go outside?" As you go through the door, move the bell so that the dog will bump into it and it will ring. (If you need to shake the string so the bell rings, shake it.) All you have to do is repeat these steps for a couple days. So obviously what happens is that eventually there will be an association in your dogs mind -- the sound of the bell will mean that he goes outside to do his business.

*Step 4. When the dog is not watching you, place a little peanut butter or soft cheese on the bell.

*Step 5. Now what? Well, wait and watch. Two things might happen ...and both of them are positive! Some dogs will smell the food right away, go straight for the bell, and ring it.. 
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.* Make sure to always give the dog a treat and praise when she does what you want.

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, in a happy voice say "Outside?" ... open the door, walk over to the potty area, and say "Go potty."

While the dog is pottying, softly repeat saying "go potty." Then, you should reward your dog with a treat and praise.

*Step 6. As soon as the dog can ring the bell easily, without your help, that's the time to ask your dog "Outside?"...and wait by the door until the dog "rings" the bell. Then, of course, you want to take the dog outside to have her do her business.

Learning proper techniques for house training a dog is good for dogs of all ages! Don't forget that older dogs will often times need more frequent bathroom trips. ...But the bell reminds us.

For some dogs is easy to learn the difference between what they're allowed to do inside and what they're expected to do outside.

If you don't have a doggie door, this can be a great trick that will help you prevent or eliminate accidents in your home. I love to use this trick whenever I'm traveling with my dog as well.

All you have to do is bring your dog bell when you go away and tie it on the door. ...accidents won't be something you have to worry about!