Dear Chiming: Housebreaking a puppy can be a frustrating time for owners. Using the bell method can not only simplify this process but also make it fun for the puppy.

Decide what kind of bell you would like to use. A few jingle bells tied to ribbon, small cowbells or even tiny wind chimes hanging by the door will work. Floor models include a desk bell, like your friend has, or a buzzer button. Just make sure the bell is loud enough to hear over your home’s background noise and pleasant sounding. The hanging model has great portability when traveling over floor models.

For the hanging model, tie your bells or chimes on a long cord with a loop on the end. Place the end loop either on the doorknob or on a tack near the door so the bells hang at your puppy’s nose level. The trick to this training method is consistency. Each time you take the puppy outside to go potty have her touch the bell with her nose or paw. If you are rushing the pup outside and don’t have time to have her touch the bells, make sure you touch the bells so she hears it. This routine will reinforce hearing the bell and then going outside. Once outside remember to praise the puppy lavishly for doing her business. 

When your puppy sees “the connection” between ringing the bell and going outside she will begin to ring the bell on her own. She may even try and ring it all the time to make sure this new behavior really works. So, even if you know she just went outside and doesn’t need to go, you still need to take her out because she is expecting the same result every time she rings the bell. She may ring it if she just wants to go out and play, or hears a noise she wishes to investigate, but again you must follow-through or she will loose the connection. 

Make It A Trick

Another way you could approach the bell training is to make it a trick. Teach the puppy to ring the bell on command and then move the bell over to the door and ask her to ring it before she goes outside.

Begin by placing the bell in front of the puppy and let her investigate it. When she rings it on her own (and she will – puppies are forever curious) give lots of praise and reward her with a tasty treat. Each time she approaches the bell and rings it on her own repeat the praise and reward. Then add a word she can associate with the bell like “ring” or “bell” or “out” or whatever.

Eventually, you will have her trained to ring the bell on command. Then when you move it over to the door, ask her to ring it before she goes out. Either way, the bell is a great tool for positive reinforcement of a good housebreaking routine that will last the puppy a lifetime. And if you make those jingle bells portable, her good manners will follow her wherever you take her. 

 

Lisa’s Pick Of The Litter

One great way to bond with your dog is through touching and massage. A great videotape, Bodywork for Dogs, can teach you techniques that include massage, acupressure, awareness, nonverbal communication and centering breath work with your canine friend.

According to Lynn Vaughan and Deborah Jones, who are featured in the video, “This inspiring video presents simple, yet powerful, techniques to improve your dog’s health, enhance your relationship with your dog, and help you gain a greater intuitive, holistic awareness of your dog’s body and spirit…blended into an easy-to-follow, full-length bodywork session, benefiting dogs of all ages, temperaments and stages of health.”

And for those with equine friends the pair has just released Intuitive Touch with Horses. Both videos ($29.95 each) can be ordered from Animals Healing, Inc. online at www.animalshealing.com..

Lisa Peterson, a breeder and exhibitor of Norwegian Elkhounds, is a Delegate to the American Kennel Club.  Ask Lisa questions at www.lisa-peterson.com or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.