Bell training your new puppy as a house training method can be relatively easy. Before you bring that new pet into your household, have a plan and all the aspects in place. Potty training is on top of the agenda of new skills your puppy needs to learn. Most importantly, be patient and never yell at or hit your new pet. Give only positive reinforcement with lots of praise and cuddles when the task is done properly.
Things You'll Need
- Bell
- String
- Crate or pen
Instructions
Hang a bell on a string around the door knob of the back door, where the puppy will go out. It should be at the puppy's nose level. (This will need to be adjusted as the puppy grows.)
Ring the bell and say the same words every time you take your new puppy outside to go potty. It should be something like, "Go Potty."
Create a penned in area or use a crate. This is his space. It will contain his water, bedding and chewy toys. Or, create a penned in area on an easily cleaned floor. There will be accidents. Keep your puppy in this area until he is bell trained.
Choose a location in the backyard where you would like the puppy to go potty. Take her from her designated area (crate or pen), ring the bell and say, "potty" and carry her out to the potty area. When she goes, praise and cuddle her with lots of positive reinforcement. After the first week, increase the interval time between potty breaks by an hour and a half and then two hours, and so on, until your puppy can ring the bell to go out.
Feed your puppy on a schedule, with his last meal early in the evening. Remove his water bowl at the same time. Return the water bowl to his designated area first thing in the morning. This will help him to need fewer potty breaks through the night. Daytime feeding should be arranged so that it is about 15 minutes before his scheduled potty break.
Place the puppy in front of the door after the first week and say, "Go Potty." Wait to see if she nudges the bell. If not, after a minute or so, say the words again and ring the bell. Follow this procedure until she learns the procedure. One day you will be elated when your puppy nudges the bell on her own.