For All the Puppy Owners in the Process of Potty Training

[Adina P]

If you haven't yet started using bells...it's not too late to start. You can buy them through Poochie Bells (click on photos below):









To learn HOW TO train your dog to ring the potty bell...go to the main Forum and search for "bell" and you'll come across past discussions. If you buy Poochie Bells through the above links 25% of our profits will go to IDOG's Rescue/Rehome program.

[Mindy]

I am going to try this. My puppy, Paddy (mini australian labradoodle) is 16 weeks old. he is doing "OK" with potty training. I thought we were doing well, and In the last week he appears to have tkane a few steps backwards and we have had a few peeing accidents in the house, shortly after we come in from him going potty.
Thanks, I will look for the instructions regarding how to use the bells as well.
Mindy

[Jackie]

Try training with bells. You won't regret it. it really works if you're consistent everytime they go out. I used Poochiebells and they came with instructions. They're smart little pups that catch on fast. I love the bells now. it's so nice to have Beckett tell me when he needs to go out.

[Margo]

Hi, We have had Lily home for 5 days now... she is 9 weeks today. Having a blast, but it is a bit like having a combo newborn/toddler/teenager come on the scene. I have the poochie bells and I'm pretty sure they will work for her when she is a little older. She just seems to want to play with them and do battle with them now! For now I just have them up on a shelf next to the door, and we ring them when we take her out. It would be great if she would learn a signal to let us know when she wants to go... for now I just have to pay CONSTANT attention to the sniffs and digs she does inside the house or her tendency is to run off to a hidden area of the home and "go". I'm pretty much keeping her on her leash inside (even though she seems determined to chew it into submission). Even when I'm not holding it, it makes it easier to find her and then stop her, especially since she blends beautifully into the colors of my kitchen floor!(shades of cream).
She is from a breeder where she has spent some time running in a field with the big dogs and her littermates, and she also seems to want to eat grass, and other icky things that seem to be even more prevalent in my unfenced yard since tropical storm Hanna. She want to turn going outside into endless time getting into heavens know what out there, so I've been limiting it to about 3 minutes.
As a new dog owner (we've never had one before because of allergy issues), any encouragement or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Adina P]

Margo it sounds like you are doing great! If you have specific questions such as "how do I do this?" "how do I teach that?" Be sure to start a new discussion or your response to this one may not get seen. You'll get lots of answers I'm sure =) You can start one in the puppy group here or in the main forum...or BOTH if you want to get more people to see and respond to it =) Good luck! She sounds like a very curious normal puppy!

[Margo]

Thanks Adina! I'm just now getting used to the format and how things work here. I will definitely post something soon. I can't find my camera thingie that attaches to my computer... when I do, I'll post some more photos.

[Jackie]

Hi, Beckett went thru a period where he "did battle" with the bells too. But we just kept up with it. I tried spraying just the ribbon on the bells with bitter apple(was careful not to spray the bells) but it didn't do much good with Beckett. He still pulled them, etc. But you can try that to see if it works. He destroyed one ribbon. I spoke to someone at Poochiebells and they replaced the ribbon at no charge!! Good luck.

[1979qj6pq4y9d]

just a side note on the bells. I used bells for years after one Christmas I "happened" to have bells on some of the doors as part of my decorations, and my lab mix started using them. I guess he heard them ring whenever the door opened or closed, so he taught himself to use them. Them were hanging a little too high for the smaller dog, so he never really used them - until recently - I lowered the bells for him and he's beginning to get the hang of it. Interestingly, I had some cow bells that I'd picked up in Europe that I tried to use on some of the doors. The little dog doesn't like them. I think they are too heavy and he doesn't like to bump them (?). I need to switch them all out to "jingle" bells now.
Another funny thing is that my 2 cats have started using them also - and if the sliding door is cracked open just a bit (so they can't quite come in) the cats will reach in and ring the bells. They could be just playing with them, but I think they are also starting to use them to tell me to let them IN.
My new goldendoodle pup will be coming home in just a couple of weeks, so I hope she will also pick up on the bells - but hopefully not PLAY with them as another person mentioned.

[27cir57x69mpb]

I hung a bell near the door and followed the directions posted here. The funny thing is that Kodi barks at the bell but doesn't ring it! He makes eye contact with me and let's me know that I should come over and ring the bell and then, of course, take him out. But he doesn't do it himself. LOL

[5a54ofb5qk1d]

Erica, that is funny!!

[Joannie]

Hehe, Erica, sounds like he has you bell trained! LOL

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Oh Erica ~
I am just laughing myself silly right now. I must admit that I may be to blame in that behavior. Ever since the doodle babies started making outside trips to go potty, each time we passed through the door I rang the bells and said "lets go out and potty". Many eventually end up hitting their nose to it, but until they make that association I do it for them. : )

[Marcia Stevens]

I just ordered some bells so Tanner can let me know when he has to potty...I think that will help with him...maybe he is missing the bells at Dianne's...?