To use or not to use?

[Griffin's Mom]

So we have a one year old Goldendoodle who was trained to use the potty bell to let us know when he has to go to the bathroom. Well, after a few months we got in such a routine of about taking him out at certain times and he had no accidents for MONTHS! That we just decided to take away the bell. Well every so often he will pee or poop just randomly, not even attempting to go toward the door. So my question is, would we need to retrain he to use the bell if we decide to use that again or not because he knew how to use it so quickley before??

[Tammy and Violet]

I bet he would remember the bells if pointed out to him ..worth a try....my baby scratches at the door .lightly though...soooo

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

If the bells worked before, it could be a reminder for him. We use bells for our 6 month old and they've worked wonderfully. I see no reason to take them down.

[Adina P]

Retraining would probably consist of a couple of reminders.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We have some really ugly bells hanging on that back door for nearly five years now  :)

Because someone is almost always here, Spud does not use them as much.  In the summer months we are always outside.

We even commented that he doesn't use them anymore. Then suddenly, Spud came down with an awful stomach flu. He rang the bells furiously and continuously to go out.  Poor guy.

Now that it is winter, he is ringing them again.

Put them back up. A bell trained dog is a blessing. Consider yourself lucky.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Joanne: we had some really ugly bells too.  They weren't so ugly when we started, but I took off all the Christmasy stuff, since I was putting them up in July.  I was just thrilled that Enzo loved (and used) her bells.  Saw these in Target the other day....figured it was time to get rid of the "uglies" and since I plan on leaving the bells up....best $9.99 I could spend!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh those are very nice.

I've made some for people but never replaced mine.  I wont even post the photos of my bells :)  

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Those are cute. I made my own that looked like the "real" potty bells that I saw in the store for a fraction of money.

[BG and Gavin]

These are cute.  I remade mine on some animal print ribbon last year and got rid of the nasty old ones.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'd put the bells back and reward when he uses them and then goes outside and goes potty. I'm guessing he'll "remember" what they're for pretty quickly as long as you are responsive.  We used bells when our guys were young...now they're totally on a schedule and they don't need them.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yep, praise and treat and get back into the practice.

I get busy. I forget to look after things. I dont see my door.  I like that my dog has this way of communicating with me

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Awww your doodle is so very cute.  Poor baby.  Do whatever it takes!  Ours came home with bells too, but after a fashion she understood that if she rang the bells to go potty...she could ring the bells to go out and play!  I still keep the bells around as a memento of her puppyhood,,,she's never had a problem with letting us know she needs to go outside, she makes that cute little doggie noise.  Not so cute tho when she wants to go out, then in, then out, then in...

There's some good advice on dog training online...best of all, it's free.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

Lilly is two and we still have the bell. That bell has traveled from NE, to Fl to AZ to MA. It has been in hotels, multiple houses, six months in a motorhome and now in a rental in MA. It has been a blessing. Lilly always know which door to use. We got Lolly at 16months old and she has never rang the bell, or told us that she needs to go out. Lilly will ring the bell, both dogs go out and Lolly does her business. Lilly sits there and the then both come in.