Potty Training Bells Being Rung ALL the time

[Rebecca Matthews]

Our Mina, ALD, at almost 13 weeks is getting the hang of potty training. We've trained her to ring the bells on the door whenever she needs to go out. The problem is that she rings them whenever she WANTS to go out. So, I'm constantly taking her out even though I KNOW she doesn't have to go (I'm proven right when we go outside and she just attempts to attack her leash or eat the yard and leaves). So, my question is- Do I continue to take her out each time she rings? Or do I only take her out when I think it's possible she could need to go (even though she's rung the bell)? I don't want to un-train the bell ringing... but I don't want to spend all day going outside repeatedly to watch her attempt to eat things she shouldn't. Thanks!!!

[Jennett Pulley]

There is a like discussion in the Puppy Madness Group that was just started recently.  Check it out!

But with that face, how could you say NO!?!?!?!  What a cutie!

[Julie, Izzie & Max]

Our Izzie also rings the bells whenever she wants to just go outside.  She also rings when she wants the other dogs to go out.    Usually it is when the other dogs have something that she wants.  She rings the bell.  They hear it and come to go out then they go out, she stays in and gets what it was that she wanted. 

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

HAHA what a smarty pants! 

[Pat and Traveler]

Ha!  Gotta love that smart and wily little Izzie!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

OMD she's SO cute!!!!  what a beauty!!  

Zoe used to do this with her potty bells.  Most of the time it was because she wanted to go outside to play.  Our nights were not relaxing listening to large bells being slammed up against the glass door 5000 times.  It stressed me out so much I eventually removed them.  After that she just paws at the door so we just let her out whenever she did that.  

[Ginny Nightingale]

Very very cute pic --she is obviously also very very smart and has this all figured out. This is why i never started using the bells--one of my three doodles would be ringing them all day--not to go out and play but to go out and then come back in and get a cookie! Don't know what to tell you other than that the bells may not work for her right now.

[Pat and Traveler]

Oh, she is adorable AND smart!  I never used bells, but Trav does the same thing by standing or whining at the door, then going outside just to play, or see what the neighbors are doing.  I'd love to say this ended after a while, but he still goes out far more often than is necessary for potty time.  He'll also stand by the door and when I open it he'll do his 'most pretty' sit, apparently figuring that since I'm already up and there are treats right by the door, I'd love to give him one.  Silly doods! 

[Adina P]

Depends on whether you want to have that specific method of puppy letting you know.  With Rosco I pretty much know he only needs potty, but when he was young he'd also ring for play.  But if I only had Boca, I'd probably take the bells down.  She wants to spend 14 hours a day outdoors and I don't.  So I usually ignore 85% her rings and respond to Rosco's.

[Jill & Tugboat]

Our Tugboat is doing the exact same thing right now.    He usually does a cursory squat each time, but we know he can hold it much longer.  He just likes being outdoors.  He also likes to bring in rocks and tall grasses and thinks he getting away with something when he manages to get one through the door and runs off like he's got the best prize in the world.  Yesterday, he was so excited that he'd "gotten away" with bringing a grass into the house, he ran smack into the back of the loveseat.  Silly boy!

So, we're needing the same advice. 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Monty went throught that phase and now Auggie is doing the same thing, especially in the evening. I take him out all the time when he rings the bells and take him to the potty area. If nothing happens within a minute, we go back in. Monty still dings the bell to go out, just to sniff the air, rather then pee. But with him I know for sure that he does not need to go out. With a young puppy, I would rather be safe than sorry. Mina is sooo pretty! Hang in there, it will get better.

[Leigh & Allie]

Allie went through that stage. For Allie, it was just a stage. I let her out each and every time she rang the bell. She has since outgrown this. She probably did it for a few months. Now she just rings the bell to go potty. We have a fenced in yard, so aside from stopping whatever I was doing, it was not a big deal.

[Janet Carmo]

Chester did the same thing and I took him out each time until I was certain about his "real" needs.  For instance, if we had just been out in the last 1/2 hour or so and he had taken care of business I would tell him "No, you just went out."   Now, if he rings the bells I know he's serious.  

Mina is so adorable!  Enjoy!