How to Make a Dog Door Bell

Maybe you are blessed with a quiet dog who cannot conjure a bark when he wants to go outside, or perhaps your destructive hound is destroying your back door in an attempt to advertise his need to go out. Either way, a doggie door bell may be just what your household needs.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • String or ribbon
  • Bell or group of bells
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your sitting pet from the ground to his nose. With a pencil, mark this height on the door on which you will be affixing the door bell. Once trained, a dog will be able to alert his owner that he wants out by nudging the bell with his nose.

    • 2

      Measure the length from the doorknob to the mark that denotes the height of your pet. Cut a piece of sturdy string or ribbon to this length plus a four inch tying allowance. Ribbon sold by the yard or macramé rope can be used if you want to coordinate the door bell to your decor, or, for the minimalist, invisible fishing line is a great choice.

    • 3

      Attach one end of the string to a bell. A craft store or the craft section in a discount store will have an assortment of bells. A single bell about three inches in diameter will resonate well, or a group of smaller traditional Christmas jingle bells strung together will be audible. A cowbell or a hand bell minus the handle can be used as well.

    • 4

      Tie the other end of the string to the door knob, being careful to suspend the bell at the mark indicating your dog̵7;s height.

    • 5

      Teach the bell ringing behavior. Each time your dog indicates that he needs outside, help him touch his nose to the bell, and let him out. Soon, he will indicate his need to go out by ringing the doggie door bell.