Bell Training your dog 
With an early start, and concentrated effort, it is possible to
train your dog to
ring a bell whenever they want to go outside to relieve themselves. Bell
training is not difficult, but it requires a great deal of consistency and
dedication during the training. Here's what you need to prepare for the
training:
- Get a dog (we first chose a Jack
Russell Terrier).
- Get a bell (I got a "Large
Brass Bell").
- Get a cord to tie the bell to your door (I
used an old nylon leash).
- Tie the bell to the cord.
- Attach the cord to the door, at
about dog-paw height (for Rudy, the bell is about 6 inches from the floor).
If the dog makes a mess in the house, they get a firm scolding
over the mess
Then, clean the mess with paper
towels and take the soiled towels outside and set them where you want the
dog to potty. Go back inside and get the dog, ring the bell with his paw,
praise him for ringing the bell, take him outside, allow the dog to smell the
soiled paper towels and praise him. Though this may seem a little odd to a
human's way of thinking, this makes perfect sense to the dog.
The hard part is this -- a short time into the training, the dog
begins to get the
idea that ringing the bell means that they get to go outside. They want to test
the idea. Every 30 seconds. I mean it. Every 30 seconds. And guess what?
You have to follow the steps listed above each and every time during this, the
most critical, training time. This is when the dog is learning and making the bell
training their own, and when you're most likely to get frustrated. You'll
certainly get your exercise opening the door for them! Stay strong and take
the dog out each time -- a little inconvenience at this point will lead to a
well-potty-trained dog.
During this time, the dog and I were also doing light Alpha
Training -- training
that establishes the alpha order in the household (essentially, who is the
"boss
dog"). To accomplish this, I would lay the dog on his side on the floor in
front
of me, his back to my crossed legs, and I would gently hold him down for 30
minutes a day each day for a month or so. He could do anything he wanted
while laying there -- sleep, look around -- anything except get up. Once 30
minutes had passed, I'd let him up, give him just a little bit of praise (nothing
extravagant since he's just obeying me, something he's expected to do
anyway), and let him go about his business. This type of training is essential
for a well-behaved dog, and especially important if you have a dog that will
grow large.
That's the gist of this training. The alpha training and bell
training is very much
worth it -- the dog hasn't had an accident in the house, and if he rings the bell to go
out and I don't respond within a minute or so, he rings the bell again. And again. It's
great!
