How do I Stop the "Bell Abuse"

[Daisy&Dixie]

When we first potty trained our dogs, we hung a bell on the back door. It worked wonderful! Every time they wanted out, they just rang the bell. Now 2 1/2 years later, Every 10 minues the bell's ringing! When I ignore them or tell them no, it usually ends up with an accident on the floor. How do I train them to quit going in and out every 10 minutes. I'm afraid not to let them out, or it's another accident to clean up. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle.

 

[ladyluck_t]

Here is what I had to do ( we have all been there)

1. They must sit at the door after ringing the bell.
2. I put a leash on them
3. I took them out on leash and walked to the potty area.
4. I stood there for 5-10mins for them to pee.
5. I took them back in the house.

Do not allow them to play (i.e. take one at a time), don't pay attention to them at all unless they go then praise like they won the super bowl. Bring them in after 5-10 mins of not going and wait for the next bell.

You will be doing a lot of leashing and going outside :rolleyes: but they will quickly equate ringing bell = leash + potty and they will stop ringing to go out to play or just to get attention.

You can also give them something else to do to get attention, that way they learn
1. "If I need to potty, I ring the bell"
2. "If I need some love and attention, I ......"

 

[Lola's mum]

No advice I'm afraid but that's the reason I didn't do bell training despite knowing how good it is. Lola would be ringing it all the time, it's bad enough having to lock the doors becasue she just lets herself out in the garden without this bell ringing 24/7 :(

 

[SandyHG55654]

I used my bell until they got the whole idea of it and now I've removed it. Instead they sit and wait for me. When they really gotta go the will scratch the door.

 

[Roxy'sNewMom]

Payton is a bell abuser!! I know when she REALLY has to go cause she will ring the bell, circle the table, ring the bell agian, then come and cry. I am sure if I took the bell down she would just cry,,,,,,but with a new puppy we are starting all over!!!

Where in Indiana are you? maybe if you are close we could get together.


Shaunna

 

[SILLY6PAK]

ladyluck_T gave you great advice. Mine do not use the bell but Abby was abuseing "the look" to go out. It was at night and I suspect she just wanted to chase one last rabbit. Anyway for about two weeks we went out together, on a leash, just to potty, every time she asked. Funny once I eliminated the fun of going out she stoped asking to go out at night.

 

[tianthai]

I have experienced the same thing with my dog. I bell-trained him to let us know when he wanted to go out for his potty. After two weeks he got the idea and did ring the bell when he wanted to go potty. Then he started ringing, let's say just 5 minutes after being out. So I put him on the leash, took him direct to his spot, waited 5 minutes (with or without potty) and came back home. That went on for over a month (I did not know I was such a patient person) but the bell was still rung every so often. When he wanted us to play with him, when he wanted to eat, wanted to go out to play with neighbours or just general attention especially when we were on the phone, cooking, on the computer and etc. So I decided to take the bell away. Now he would walk to the door (with no noise at all) and wait until we take him out. I could see in his face how disappointed he felt when I took the bell away.
Good luck!