I've had Rocky 1 week now (he's 11 weeks old) and he's doing pretty good about doing his business outside. Of course I have to watch his every move and grab him when I think he's gotta go. I plan on keeping the same schedule (take him outside right out of the kennel int he middle of the night and in the morning, after any naps, after he's been playing, and after he eats... along with any time I think he is ready) but I also want to start the bell training. I plan on hanging a couple bells on some yarn by the door and using his paw to ring it every single time I take him out. Being 11 weeks old, how long do you think it will take him to catch on to this? Do you have any advice on what I should do other than what I have stated? I'll keep you all posted on his progress.
New at Bell Training
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OscarBoysMom
Boxer Booster
I think you're off to a great start. Oscar is bell trained -- we started when he was about 12 weeks old (I think - time files!). He really got the hang of it quickly. I LOVES to hit the bell - HARD! - and I think it only took a couple of days for him to make the connection bell = outside. However, it wasn't until recently that he rang it when I was upstairs to get me to come let him out. What a proud day 
Good luck, and don't be surprised if those bells get the beating of their life!
Good luck, and don't be surprised if those bells get the beating of their life!
Bell training is the greatest, especially if you do not have a clear view to the door you take them out the most. Luka is 12 1/2 weeks old and has been w/ me since he was 10 weeks old and has picked up on it pretty quickly.
The only thing is, is that he has also learned that if he rings it, he gets to go outside!!! They really do learn quick!!
The only thing is, is that he has also learned that if he rings it, he gets to go outside!!! They really do learn quick!!
Macie'sMommy
Boxer Booster
How did you get them to like the bell and use it so quickly?
Macie is 14 weeks old, and we have been at this bell thing for about 3 weeks - she has yet to ring it on her own. I put some peanut butter on the bell last night, and she licked at it this morning making it ring - I took her right out, and she went potty. But she hasn't quite put that association together yet.
Macie is 14 weeks old, and we have been at this bell thing for about 3 weeks - she has yet to ring it on her own. I put some peanut butter on the bell last night, and she licked at it this morning making it ring - I took her right out, and she went potty. But she hasn't quite put that association together yet.
Super Boo
Completely Boxer Crazy
It's really easy to get them to use it. I would point to the bell and get them excited (like "whats this!!") and when they touched it with their nose they got to go out, made them go pee, then they got huge kissee's and huggies. We made the whole thing one big production--including going pee right away--no dawdling. It probably took them about 3 days to a week to learn it--mainly keep it consistant--they don't go out until they touch the bell.
Like Super Boo said, make it a huge production.
Everytime I took Luka out, I would ring the bell myself and say "potty" and get him to nudge it as well. And ALWAYS have treats ready for her whenever he does what you are wanting to do. That was a big help as well.
He is still getting the hang of it (I brought him home 3 weeks ago today), but he is getting pretty good. He will at least paw at the door but I still make him ring the bell before actually letting him out.
Persistence is the key (with any sort of training w/ them). Just don't get frustrated and she'll pick it up in no time.
Everytime I took Luka out, I would ring the bell myself and say "potty" and get him to nudge it as well. And ALWAYS have treats ready for her whenever he does what you are wanting to do. That was a big help as well.
He is still getting the hang of it (I brought him home 3 weeks ago today), but he is getting pretty good. He will at least paw at the door but I still make him ring the bell before actually letting him out.
Persistence is the key (with any sort of training w/ them). Just don't get frustrated and she'll pick it up in no time.
marjieh
Boxer Booster
We bell trained and it didn't take long at all. She knows the bell means out side and I think she likes the control. Last week she had a bad stomach and even rang the bell to get us to let her out so she could vomit. Kind of gross I know, but we were so proud she thought of it.
Sometimes she just paws at the door, but she knows that if we don't come when she does that, all she has to do is hit the bell so we can hear it. We haven't had an accident in a mo.!
Sometimes she just paws at the door, but she knows that if we don't come when she does that, all she has to do is hit the bell so we can hear it. We haven't had an accident in a mo.!
liljam
Boxer Buddy
I read about bell training here and Rocky caught on fast at 14 weeks, he has done wonderful and recently went a full two weeks with one accident that could have been prevented as he was in the bathroom with my BF while he showered. I just hung the bird bell on the door and did what everyone else has suggested.
I did have major problems today though because he had several #1 accidents in the house today and did not use the bell. I haven't changed anything but I did major packing and moving out a ton of boxes today because we're moving in a few weeks. I don't know if the changes made in his enviroment caused this or not so I'm searching for threads on it now. I do know too that they will have bad days, but this day has been the wiorst since we brought him home and it wasn't while he was in the house alone that he did this. It was right in front of the door.
Good luck though with your training!
I did have major problems today though because he had several #1 accidents in the house today and did not use the bell. I haven't changed anything but I did major packing and moving out a ton of boxes today because we're moving in a few weeks. I don't know if the changes made in his enviroment caused this or not so I'm searching for threads on it now. I do know too that they will have bad days, but this day has been the wiorst since we brought him home and it wasn't while he was in the house alone that he did this. It was right in front of the door.
Good luck though with your training!
liljam....
I read on here last week that it is normal for them to have a "relaps" in their training between weeks 12-14, so that might be a good explaination of his accidents.
I know late last week (late in week 12) I found a nice lil "pile" at the front door (I take him out the back door to do his business) and out of no where, he let loose a #1 right in my bedroom doorway (first time there as well).
I'm chalking those up to those relaps' and so far we havn't had anymore accidents.
I read on here last week that it is normal for them to have a "relaps" in their training between weeks 12-14, so that might be a good explaination of his accidents.
I know late last week (late in week 12) I found a nice lil "pile" at the front door (I take him out the back door to do his business) and out of no where, he let loose a #1 right in my bedroom doorway (first time there as well).
I'm chalking those up to those relaps' and so far we havn't had anymore accidents.
HE DID IT!!! Every single time I take him outside I use his paw to hit the bell. Lately I've been trying to get him to do it on his own and he'll very lightly hit it with his nose so I congratulate him and use his paw to hit it harder. Well yesterday I was on the phone and watchign him eat. He slowly walked to the door and sniffed, so I knew he had to go outside but I wanted to see what he did. So he walked to the bell, turned and looked at me and nudged it with his nose. I was SO happy that I congratulated him over and over. I took him outside and he did both #1 and #2. He got plenty of hugs and a couple treats when I took him back in. It took a couple days but now I KNOW he is starting to get the hang of it!
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