Bell Training for Dogs: It Really Works. Here’s How.

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If you’re working on potty training your dog, then bell training can be a real lifesaver. Teaching a puppy or adult dog to ring a “potty bell,” is relatively simple and very convenient. In teaching your dog to ring a potty bell to let you know when he/she needs to go outside, you can eliminate accidents (or, in the case of my stoic pups, the dreaded silent potty stare).

So, how does it work? Some people swear that all you have to do is hang a bell from the door and ring it every time you take your dog outside until they eventually start ringing it themselves. However, we recommend training your dog to ring a potty bell with this three-step process:

1. Train your dog to touch the bell with their nose
2. Train your dog to ring the bell at the door(s)
3. Train your dog when to ring the bell (you want her to ring it when she needs to go potty, not all the time!)

You can brush up on basic dog training info here and then read on to learn more about each step in the dog bell training process.

And if you have any concerns about your pet’s potty habits, check with your vet. You know your dog best.

1) Bell training starts with touch training

via Izzie Keys/YouTube

Dog bells for potty training can be made at home using simple craft store supplies, or even an old jingle bell from your holiday decorations. You can also purchase a specially-made dog potty training bell like the GoGo Bell or Caldwell’s Potty Bells.

Once you’ve chosen your bell, you’re ready to start dog training! Be sure to have plenty of small, soft treats on hand. If you do clicker training, you’ll want to have your clicker handy, too.

Start by introducing your dog to the bell:

• Say the command “touch” and show your dog the bell, holding it a couple inches away from her nose. Most dogs will immediately move towards the bell to sniff it (but you can always rub some treat musk on the bell to make them more appealing).
• As soon as your dog’s nose hits the bell, click your clicker or say “yes!” and give her a treat right away. The clicker or “yes” serves as a marker to tell the dog she’s done the right thing, and the treat is her reward. Repeat these first two steps 10-15 times, or until your dog is reliably touching the bell every time you say “touch.”
• Next, start moving the bells a bit further away from your dog, or off to the side, each time you cue her to “touch” them. You’re gradually increasing the distance and duration of your dog’s response to the “touch” command.

Dog training works best in short, consistent bursts, so try this “touch” exercise in daily, 10-15 minute sessions. Here’s an example of a dog learning to “touch” a service bell:

Within a week of practicing, you should be ready to move on to the next step!

This step will take your dog from touching the bell to ringing it next to the door. To start, hang your dog potty bells from the doorknob of the door you most often use to take your pet outside. You can also hang or mount the bell next to the doorframe, as seen in the video below.

Some families have an electronic doggy doorbell, a fine option for dogs who don’t like jingle sounds. Whatever kind of bell you’re using, it should be placed at nose or paw level for your dog.

Next, with treats in hand, call your dog over and resume training:

• With the bell hanging from its knob or hook, take it in your hand and say “Touch,” holding it out toward your dog as close as the string or hanger will allow.
• As soon as your dog touches the bell with her nose, click or say “yes!” and give her a treat reward.
• Repeat this step until your dog touches the bell right away when you say “touch.” Some dogs won’t need much time at all, as they’ve already mastered the art of touching the bell!

2) Ringing the dog potty bell by the door

After a while, repeat the same steps as above, but instead of holding the bell in your hand, let it hang. This time, you’ll simply direct your dog towards the bell by pointing:

• Say “touch” and point at the bell
• As soon as your dog touches the bell with her nose, click or say “yes!” and give her a treat reward.
• Repeat 5-10 times during a training session.

You’ll probably want to practice this part of the potty bell training process once or twice a day for three to five days, or until your dog reliably touches the bell every time you point at it and say “touch.” Once she’s ringing the bell next to the door, it’s time to move on to the third part of the process!

3: Bells to go outside (and not to do anything else!)

Via Imgur/MyDogIsSilly

Now that your dog is an expert bell-ringer on command, it’s time to help her understand that she can ring the bell herself whenever she wants to go out. But you also need to show her that potty time is the only time to ring the bell; you don’t want her ringing it nonstop!

To train your dog when to ring the bell, follow these steps any time you go to take your dog outside for a potty break:

• As you approach the door with your dog, say “touch,” and point to the bell.
• As soon as your dog touches the bell with her nose, click or say “yes!” and give her a treat reward.
• Do this every single time you take your dog outside. Remember, dog training is all about consistency!

With enough repetition, your dog will learn that in order to go outside, she has to touch the bell with her nose.

The first time your dog rings the bell on her own, throw a party: praise her enthusiastically, give her a treat, and take out outside right away. Then, as soon as she goes potty, give her another treat. This will help make the connection between ringing the bell, going outside, and eliminating in the appropriate place.

Potty training bells are for all dogs

Bell training dogs fun and straightforward, and it’s not limited to certain types of dog. Pooches of all sizes, ages, and types can master the potty bell in a few weeks of consistent training. Just look at this adorable compilation of dogs of all types ringing bells:

Bell training is a great way to potty train your pooch, and it’s also a cute trick. One training process for two great purposes? Now, that’s something worth ringing about.

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