This article is for people who have tried and failed to teach their dogs to go outside by ringing a bell. I’m sure there are many bell ringing failures out there. It’s not difficult to teach a dog to poke a bell with his nose or paw. But it can be difficult to teach him when to do it, to let him know that this is a way for you to communicate about something specific.
So there are numerous factors to consider when teaching your dog to ring the bell. Continue reading for more information.
What kind of bells should you get?
We tested and reviewed 15 dog doorbells in our quest to find the best. It was a long journey, but we eventually narrowed the competition down to two top picks, each excellent in their own right.
Because every home is unique, not every dog doorbell will be ideal for you. Don’t be concerned! I’ve got you covered. I’m confident you’ll find the perfect dog doorbell for your home with recommendations for doorknobs, sliding glass doors, permanently fixed ones, and even a wireless option.
1. Poochie ring (Ideal for doorknobs)
- Doorknobs, lever handles, and hooks can be hung.
- 26-inch length
No other brand came close to the PoochieBells when it came to doorbells that hung from doorknobs.
Simply attach this dog doorbell to your doorknob. When your dog needs to go potty, nudging or pawing at the ribbon causes the bells to ring, alerting you that it’s time for your dog to go potty.
This is the only dog doorbell that is not permanently attached to the wall. As a result, the PoochieBells are a popular choice for renters and those who do not want to damage their walls.
This dog doorbell is handcrafted in the United States. This doorbell is of exceptional quality, as you would expect from an American-made product.
The four sleigh bells suspended from the ribbon are an excellent example of this. These lead-free bells are the loudest of any hanging dog doorbell we tested. I could clearly hear my pup alerting me that she needed to go outside from wherever I was in the house.
Poochie Bells are one of the few hanging doorbells that come in a variety of patterns and colors. You’re sure to find something to match your decor, from cute pink paw prints (my favorite!) to solid colors!
The average doorknob is 36 inches from the ground. The ribbon on the PoochieBells is 26 inches long and sits 10 inches off the floor.
This was long enough for even a small puppy to get to. Mr. Cookie, our 8-inch Chihuahua tester, could easily ring the lower bells. Keep in mind that if your doorknob is higher and you have a small dog, you may require a longer hanging dog doorbell. Take measurements before you buy!
All of our testers quickly figured out how to use this hanging doggy doorbell. The bells rang loudly throughout the house, regardless of whether our pups pawed at them or nudged them with their nose.
Please keep in mind that this dog doorbell is only for doorknobs and handles that can be looped over. Check out my next suggestion if you have a sliding glass door.
Alternatively, you can hang the Poochie Bells alongside your door with a temporary hook.
The benefit of using a temporary hook is that it prevents the doorbells from ringing every time you open and close the door.
You won’t find a better hanging dog doorbell for your pup than the PoochieBells. What’s not to like about loud, simple-to-use speakers made in the United States?
2. The Deluxe GoGo Bell
The GoGo Bell Deluxe strikes a balance between price and durability. The bell remained firm no matter how hard our Pit Bull tester pawed.
This bell is extremely loud. The brass bell makes a loud, clear “clang” that can be heard from four rooms away. I could hear it even with the TV on! If you have poor hearing, this is the dog doorbell for you!
This bell may be too loud if you are sensitive to noise or have a small home.
The GoGo Bell Deluxe is a dog doorbell that is attached to a wooden wall.
But it’s the size of the bell that we really like. The bell is significantly larger than the competition, measuring 2-inches wide. This allowed our uncoordinated pups to paw while trying to control their bladder.
Our pups were less likely to mark the wall behind this bell because it was 6 inches away from the wall. There were also fewer nose prints. Best of all, because you can adjust the height, you can easily position it at the ideal height for your pup.
You might be wondering how high you should hang this bell. We installed it just high enough for our pups’ noses to reach the bell.
Australian Shepherd using his nose to make the GoGo Bell Deluxe ring
My only criticism is that the screws included in the package were a little short. To secure the bell as much as possible, I recommend going to Home Depot or a local hardware store and purchasing some longer screws.
If you want a heavy-duty dog doorbell that will last for years, this is the best option. Strongly recommended!
How do I teach my dog to ring a bell?
Teaching your dog to ring a bell when he or she needs to go outside is more than just a cool trick. It allows your pet to communicate its needs. This is especially important if your dog’s bowel movements are irregular. Accidents are prevented. Ringing a bell also prevents annoying behaviors like barking or scratching at the door.
To get started, you’ll need the following items:
A loud enough bell to be heard from a distance. Pet supply stores frequently stock ready-to-hang bells. A holiday brass bell strung on a ribbon can also be used. Just make certain that your dog does not become entangled in the strap. If necessary, braid the ribbon so that there are no dangling strings or straps.
A selection of small bite-sized treats. Freeze-dried liver, chicken, or cheese are tasty treats that can be broken into small bites and stored at room temperature.
- It’s a clicker.
- A housebroken pet.
Step 1: Show the bell to the dog.
Show the bell to the dog and gently ring it. Allow the dog to become accustomed to the noise. This step should not be skipped. Some dogs become startled when they touch the bell and do not expect it to ring. If your dog is sensitive, muffle the sound and gradually increase the volume.
Repeat until the dog is relaxed and at ease with the noise.
Step 2: Teach the dog that the bell signifies treats.
Place the bell in your pocket or another hidden location. Bring it out of hiding on a regular basis. Give your dog several small treats right away. Keep the bell hidden. After the bell has been rung, stop feeding treats and refrain from praising, coddling, or otherwise providing unnecessary attention.
Repeat until the dog is startled when the bell is brought out of hiding.
Step 3: Allow the dog to become impatient and touch the bell.
Bring the bell out of hiding, but without the treat. Bring the bell up to the dog’s nose. (Approximately 10 cm away) If you repeated step 2 enough times, the dog should be confused and frustrated that you are not giving him any treats. It may bark if it becomes agitated. Ignore it. If your dog jumps, you should probably start working on that right away.
Meanwhile, try doing the exercise while sitting in a chair. Your dog will eventually brush its nose against the bell in an attempt to “point it out.” Because the bell is present, it believes it is entitled to treats. Click the clicker and give it a treat when it presses its nose against the bell. It is critical that you click just as the dog’s nose brushes up against the bell. If you don’t have a clicker, a clearly enunciated “Yes!” will suffice. If you click or say the word “Yes,” always feed a treat.
Repeat until the dog touches the bell as soon as it comes out of hiding.
Step 4: Hang the bell on the door while keeping your hand on the strap.
Rep step 3 but this time hang the bell on the door you intend to use. Maintain your grip on the strap.
Step 5: Begin gradually removing your hand.
Place the doorbell on the door. Move your hand one to two centimeters away from the bell. Each time your dog touches the bell, click and treat him. Move your hand away from the object a centimeter at a time.
Your dog may eventually reach for your hand rather than the bell. Ignore it. Give your dog some space. In a few moments, it will most likely try to touch the bell. If it doesn’t, move your hand closer to the bell for a while. When the dog is ready, go over the easier steps again and gradually remove your hand.
Rep until your hand is completely free of the door and bell.
Step 6: Begin to walk away from the door.
Take a step back from the door. Allow the dog to continue ringing the bell. Click and treat every time the dog touches the bell. Gradually move away from the door until you are about 5 meters away.
Repeat until your dog rings the bell quickly and consistently when you put it up.
Step 7: Begin using it before venturing outside.
Hang the bell on the door before taking your dog outside. Allow the dog to ring the doorbell once. Treat by clicking. Then, while on a leash, take it outside to use the restroom. If you use the bell for playtime, it will become annoying. Stop rewarding the dog for ringing the doorbell when you’re not going outside. It’s time to teach the dog that the bell signals a potty break.
Repeat until the dog rings the bell automatically before going outside.
Step 8: Hang the doorbell and let the dog figure it out.
Continue to give your dog treats for ringing the bell before going outside. But be ready for a stroke of genius. You will hear the bell ring at some point, and you must be prepared to reward your dog with a treat and a bathroom break.
However, do not allow your dog to play freely. Only use the bell for bathroom breaks. If your dog begins to overuse the bell, remove it from the door for 2 hours when you return home. Re-post it after a reasonable amount of time has passed. Make sure your dog understands that the bell is only for bathroom breaks.
How can you tell if your dog is misusing the potty bell?
It’s difficult to tell if your dog’s potty bells are ringing in vain.
When I ignore someone’s ring, they keep ringing every few minutes, and when I finally take them out, it turns out they needed to unload a massive poop.
At times, I’ll believe the ring only to have the ringer sniff around for toads rather than pee. I’m not going to name names. It’s Cow now. The cow is always the answer.
Naturally, it is preferable to take your dog out too frequently than to ignore her rings and allow her to have an accident.
One rule of thumb: never take your dog out if she’s ringing or barking at a squirrel, mailman, or whatever. Your dog must learn that erratic behavior will not result in a walk.
When your dog rings her bell, she should understand that the end result is a quick potty break. It’s not time to hunt, sniff, or dilly-dally.
This is especially true if you are still in the process of potty training.
1. Allow your dog to go out for a few minutes and only go to her usual potty spot.
If you have a fenced backyard, you may still want to take her out on a leash to ensure she does her business and to keep her from becoming distracted. This isn’t always necessary, but it can be beneficial. However, some dogs take longer to potty while on a leash. There’s no need to overthink things; if letting her out is easier for potty breaks, that’s perfectly fine.
Adventure walks are essential for bonding, exercise, and mental stimulation in your dog. Just make sure they don’t start with your dog ringing her bell, or she might associate it with a fun adventure.
2. Your Dog Is Tired… That is correct.
It’s almost unavoidable that your dog will occasionally ring her bell without needing to go potty. You can reduce incidents by ignoring her rings, but if she’s truly bored, she’ll keep ringing. And that’s fine.
If my dogs are bored, or if I become too preoccupied with my work, I’m glad they have ways of alerting me.
If you believe your dog is ringing her bell out of boredom, try playing with her indoors, giving her a food puzzle toy, or playing hide and seek.
Mental stimulation can help to tire out your dog. You don’t have to go for a run to relax your dog.
It is critical that you do not immediately begin playing with your dog after she rings the bell. You don’t want the bell to be interpreted as “let me out… or play with me!” Wait a few moments before you begin playing.
Why are my dog ringing potty bells to go outside all the time?
Everyone would appreciate having a dog trained to ask to go potty because it is extremely convenient. Dog owners would no longer have to rely on guesswork, constantly wondering whether it’s time to take their dogs out for a bathroom break, or else their dogs would take care of their own “paws.”
As a result, several potty training methods, such as teaching dogs to bark by the door to get their owner’s attention or teaching them to ring a bell every time they need to tinkle, are becoming increasingly popular.
In an ideal world, dogs would associate the door with the act of elimination and develop a halo around their heads.
Dog owners would only have to take their dogs out a few times per day, and they would no longer have to constantly monitor their canines for signs of a dog needing to go potty. All they have to do is listen for a bark or a ding-ding-ding.
But not so fast. In some cases, teaching a dog to ask to go outside can cause more problems than one anticipated. The following are some of the difficulties that dog owners may face.
Dogs always want to go outside
The most serious issue is when dogs begin to repeatedly knock on the door, requesting to be let out. Instead of going potty, they will start playing in the yard, sniffing, and exploring.
This happens when dogs associate the door with something other than going potty: entertainment! Exploration! Energy release! Sniffing expeditions! Or a combination of all of the above!
Puppies are often good at this in their first weeks, but as they get older, they begin to regress and want to sniff around more and explore their surroundings in the great outdoors. Unsurprisingly, many owners of newly adolescent dogs (around 6 months old) begin to notice this behavior.
Is it okay to yell at the dog for ringing the potty bell all the time?
Potty bell clatter can be irritating. Especially when you’ve already been out for five minutes and have just sat down to watch TV or do some work.
I definitely snap at my dogs when they’re ringing nonstop and I’m already stressed.
And they look at me as if they’re perplexed. They are, after all.
When I’m stressed enough to snap at my dogs, we need to go for a walk.
I have to swallow my pride and admit that my dogs know when we need to go for a walk better than I do. Sometimes it’s best to just trust them and go for a walk… even if they don’t need to pee.
Your reaction to your dog misusing potty bells will influence how they use them in the future.
If you call your dog away from it, she will understand that even if she does not get to walk, she can still use the bells to attract your attention… That’s not terrible, but it’s also not desirable.
The best way to deal with excessive potty bell use is to simply ignore your dog. If she’s driving you crazy, you can confine her to another room or turn off the bells.
Dogs are extremely intelligent. She’ll pick up on it if you’re consistent in how you respond to the bells (by ignoring her or going for a quick potty break).
She won’t feel the need to abuse those potty bells if you play with her, keep her entertained, and take her on lots of adventure walks.
What to do if your dog is ringing the potty bell all the time to go outside?
If your dog has started to insist on being let out all the time, you’re probably wondering what you can do about it.
You can’t completely ignore the behavior because you risk an extinction burst along the way, and if you keep ignoring it, you risk weakening the behavior (which could lead to a dog not asking to go out and having an accident), but if you take him outside, you will have reinforced the behavior, leading to him asking to be let out more and more.
As a result, you may feel trapped between a rock and a hard place. Here are some solutions to the problem.
1. Break the association through play
If you let your dog out to potty in your yard every time and allow him to sniff, play, and explore, he’ll begin to associate getting out of the door with fun. If this is the case, you may be stuck with a dog who keeps asking to go outside.
By taking your dog out on a leash to one location to potty, you can break the associative chain of “asking to be let out= fun.” Don’t talk to your dog; instead, make the task as boring as possible (yawn!).
It’s time to go back inside if he doesn’t pee within a few minutes. If he does manage to potty, he can be let out and given some free time in the yard, allowing you to make outdoor fun contingent on him going potty.
2. Teach your dog to pee on cue
Take advantage of having your dog on a leash and train him to potty on command. By teaching your dog to potty on cue, you’ll spend less time worrying about whether your dog really needs to potty, and you’ll have less guesswork because you’ll know your dog is “empty.” Furthermore, you will be shaping a much faster elimination. It’s a win-win situation!
It is relatively simple to train your dog to go potty on command; all you need to do is be consistent and have good timing.
3. More indoor entertainment
Many dogs who request to be let out without a genuine need to relieve themselves are bored and looking for more stimulation. Many of these dogs will not return inside when called because they associate the outdoors with all of the fun. Indoor training and mental stimulation may benefit these dogs (foraging, clicker training, brain games).
While it may be tempting to ignore your dog when he barks or rings a bell to be let out, as previously stated, this may result in a temporary extinction burst (leading to more insistent and annoying going-to-the-door behavior), and if you continue to ignore your dog, the door-going or bell-ringing behavior may eventually become extinct, leading to your dog stopping signaling and having accidents inside the home.
Instead, you can interpret your dog’s pretend-asking-to-be-let-out behavior when you know he doesn’t need to go out as a sign that he needs some fun indoor activity.
For example, invite him to do a few tricks or otherwise invite your dog to this mat where you will provide him with something to chew on.
Rather than ignoring the behavior, recognize it as a sign that he requires more mental stimulation. However, give your dog the benefit of the doubt and take him outside on a leash every now and then to see if he needs to go potty.
Keep track of how frequently he needs to go potty while you’re at it, as this will come in handy for the next tip.
4. Schedule your dog’s bathroom visits
Bell training or barking to be let out can be appealing, but as previously stated, these methods can have drawbacks. Sure, many dog owners are happy with this arrangement, but some end up having problems, especially if they slack off and stop taking their dogs outside on a leash, instead just opening the door and letting Rover go potty alone.
A better option may be to simply take your dog to the bathroom on a regular basis. Feeding your dog on a schedule (predictable feedings lead to more predictable outings), keeping track of how frequently he needs to potty, and teaching him to go potty on command can all help to make the process go more smoothly.
Simply take him out at regular intervals and accompany him to ensure he goes potty when you tell him to, and your dog should quickly adjust.
How does teaching your dog to ring a bell help your relationship with him?
Most dogs quickly learn that ringing a bell or pressing a button allows them to go outside. A shared language of bells or buttons between you and your dog can help reduce frustration and strengthen your bond with them.
Another advantage is that it allows your dog to clearly communicate their needs with other people in your home who may be less sensitive to your dog’s natural cues to go potty. Furthermore, if you ever have a pet sitter stay at your home, the bell system can help your dog adjust to your absence by allowing them to communicate basic needs to their sitter.
Watch training your dog to ring bell | Video Guide
Why does my dog keep asking to go outside?
Dogs want to go outside for a change of scenery, to use the restroom, to run around, or even to see if they can trick you into letting them out.
Dogs want to come in because they are tired, the weather is unpleasant, they miss you, or they want to see if they can get you to get up and let them in when they ask.
Is it normal to leave a dog outside all day?
Your dog will be fine living outside as long as she has access to water and shelter. The main issue with leaving a dog outside all of the time is behavioral. Dogs are social creatures who require human companionship.
Why does my dog need to go outside every two hours?
In dogs, frequent urination can indicate a health issue. “Increases in frequency can indicate a bladder problem, bladder infection, kidney disease, bladder disease, liver disease, or diabetes,” says the American Urological Association.
Can a dog spend the entire day inside?
An indoor dog should be able to spend a day (no more than eight hours) at home alone without experiencing separation anxiety, accidents, or destructive behavior. However, before leaving them inside for the day, they should be taken for a long walk and a bathroom break.
How long can dogs go without peeing?
While sleeping, dogs can go for 8 to 10 hours without urinating. All dogs, however, must be taken out after a meal or drink, upon waking up, and after a period of play.
Conclusion
Everyone would appreciate having a dog trained to ask to go potty because it is extremely convenient. The biggest issue that dog owners face is dogs that constantly go to the door asking to be let out. Instead of going potty, they’ll start playing in the yard, sniffing and exploring, and he’ll start associating getting out of the door with fun. If this is the case, you may be stuck with a dog who keeps asking to go outside.
By taking your dog out on a leash to one location to potty, you can break the associative chain of “asking to be let out= fun.” Don’t talk to your dog; instead, make the task as boring as possible (yawn!).
It’s time to go back inside if he doesn’t pee within a few minutes. If he does manage to potty, he can be let out and given some free time in the yard, allowing you to make outdoor fun contingent on him going potty.
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