Bell training

[Lisagail]

Has anyone used bell training for their boxer? If yes, how did you like it. My husband and I are thinking it might be good. We've both had lots of dogs in our lives but this is his first Boxer and my first Boxer was when I was a young girl. We've never heard of this method or used it so looking for any info anyone may have, positive or negative.

Thanks,

Lisa (mother to be of a baby brindle girl named Zeena)

 

[Cheryl&Ellie]

We trained our oldest BT to ring Chimes. We hung them at her height by the door then took her paw and rang the chimes and at the same time said outside. The treat came with this. In about two days Nyah was ringing the chimes to go outside. I think it's a great idea because she never gave us a sign of any kind that she needed to go out.
There is one draw back. When they learn to ring them you have to answer every call and boy are they proud of themselves when they master this. I think we were outside more than in. THEN, she was ringing the chimes one afternoon and I took her out only to find out that she wanted to visit my neighbor that was washing his car in the driveway!
I personally think it's a good idea and a real crowd pleaser, people can't believe your dog rings chimes to let you know they need a potty break or visit the neighbors!

 

[Lisagail]

Thanks for the reply

Sounds good, there was only one thought I had. I also use that same door to go out to feed the birds etc..so everytime I go out that door the bells will ring. Won't she think it's time for her to go out every time she hears the bells ring?

 

[Cheryl&Ellie]

I didn't mount the chimes on the door for that reason. We put them on the wall right beside the door on a hook so only they could ring them and not the movement of the door opening and closing.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[Lisagail]

Cheryl*Ellie

Thanks, that's a great tip, surprised my hubby didn't think of it.! Great idea!

Lisa

 

[Bosco04]

We did the bell training because we had a hard time house breaking our pup, it didnt seem that he knew how to tell us when he had to go out. Once he knew how to tell us it went quick.

I would suggest you place something on the wall behind the bell, our wall started to get pretty scratched up. He gets pretty excited to go out sometimes, mostly when deer are in the yard, so he hits it pretty hard.

 

[axp113]

we have our guy bell trained, but he uses his nose and head to ring the bells.

 

[jljn88]

I will admit that i was scaptacle of the bell training at first, but just recently Lexie got the hang of it and it works beautifully. Whenever she goes out, she hits the bell with her nose and I come and let her out! The only problem I have is that she's figured out bell=outside and not just to go potty. She uses it to go out and play very frequently.

The trick is to guide them through the process every single time you take her to the door. Tap the bells with her paw and say potty (some people use outside) and once you take her foot and tap the bell, praise her and give her a treat.

 

[Jill's boxer]

gonna have to give the bell a try...

I think I might try using the bell...Gracie housebroke easily, but over the past few days she seems to have regressed a bit...maybe I am getting a bit lax in watching her. She does go to the door when she needs to go, but if I am not right there to see her immediately she gives up and will go pee/poo by the front door instead (we've had two accidents over the past 3 days!)! I think the bell will help since I will hear her if I am not right in the room or can't see her from where I am. Now to go buy that bell....

 

[bekeur1]

We got our first boxer this April and for the first time used the bell method of potty training.....my husband was VERY sceptical but after 3 or 4 days, he was won over when Maggie was ringing the bell every time she had to go out. You just need to be religious and ring it everytime you let your pup out and soon they will associate that with relieving themselves. Hope it works as well for you as it did for us