Some dogs have access to a doggie door that allows them to exit and re-enter at will, so they can “go to the bathroom” whenever they want. Fortunately for those who are unable to go out when they want, dogs are generally excellent at “holding it in” and can wait for the appointed times at which you take them to do their business. But still, there are those moments when they really need to relieve themselves even though it’s not time for their scheduled walk. What then?
Some dogs will go to the door and bark or come over to you and whine —or stare — but others suffer in silence. They don’t have to. You can teach a dog to ring a bell that lets you know nature is calling. Here’s how, in three easy steps.
Show your pet the bell or button that you have selected and let him sniff it and get used to it. When he happens to ring it, praise him enthusiastically and offer him a highly desirable treat. Do this several times over the course of a few days. Some trainers encourage teaching your dog to ring the bell rather than waiting for it to happen. Hold the bell close to his face or paw and use the “Touch!” cue to get him to put his nose on it. You can keep food right next to the bell to encourage the action. As soon as he touches, proffer the praise and the treat. Repeat a number of times over the course of a couple of days.
Put the bell by the door that you use to take your dog outside. Every time anyone in your household leaves with your pet, they should ring it. That will help him understand that there’s a sequence: bell, out, elimination. A more direct approach is to continue with the “Touch” cue once the bell is by the door, praising your pet for getting it right, giving a treat, and taking him out immediately after he follows through on ringing. That, too, will teach him that ringing precedes going out to eliminate.
At some point your dog is going to ring the bell on his own with his nose or foot, perhaps just by accident. When he does, immediately praise him like there’s no tomorrow, give him a treat, put on his leash, and take him out. He will very quickly get the drift that he can ring the bell on purpose to alert you that he needs to void. You will have a more comfortable pet with more agency in his own life and a better, more trusting bond with you.
