Training

Training Tips - How to train your puppy to ring a bell

These training tips are for helping you housetrain your new puppy. Your new addition needs to signal to you that they need to go outside to do their business. The best way for a new puppy to tell you that it is time to go outside is for them to ring a bell. There are a few steps to help your new little one signal you when they need to go out. Firstly you will want to teach them to first touch the bell.

Below are the steps to follow to teach your puppy to ring a bell to go outside:

1. Place a bell on a string and hold it within a foot of your puppy’s nose.
2. As soon as they investigate the bell in any way then tell them “yes” and throw a treat on the floor away from the bell.
3. When they return to investigate the bell again then tell them “yes” and throw another treat. In order to keep them keen on this new game then do short 1-2 minute sessions. If they are not interested in the bell at all then just place a tiny treat on top of the bell so it is a little more motivating to investigate.
4. Once the puppy is touching the bell every time that you bring the bell out then you want to place the bell near the door that you want them to ask to go outside to do their business.
5. At first, hold the bell close to the door and once they touch it then tell them “yes” and throw the treat away from the door. Once they are touching the bell 4-5 times then when they touch the bell, the door opens and then they get the treat outside on the deck/patio. Do this 2-3 times and then bring the bell up until the next mini session.
6. At the next session then place the bell on the doorknob or attach the bell near the door. When they ring the bell then the door opens and toss the treat outside. Do this 1-2 times. The next time they ring the bell, open the door, tell them “good puppy” and walk them to the area where you would like them to do their business. You can tell them “go pee” or any other command that you want them to eliminate. After they are finished emptying their bladder then reward big time with a minimum of 3 treats and lots of praise.
7. If your puppy is ringing the bell for the sake of entertainment/you keep getting up and you know that their bladder is empty then simply place the bell up for 20 minutes or so and bring it back down quietly when they are not looking.
8. We need to teach the puppy that when they ring the bell, the door opens and they are rewarded for actually do their business which means very high rewards and motivating them to continue that behavior.

Please see this short video to help demonstrate a part of ringing the bell to go outside.

If you have any questions at all on these training tips then please send me an email at Marcia@happyhound.ca or give me a call 613-253-5535, and I will walk you through the process and give you extra tips to help with your success.

Training Programs

I am excited to let you know that there are some great new training programs available for puppy owners who have a new addition to their families. These programs are designed to help you in your home with your puppy to build a better relationship. Puppies are purchased yet training is the key to a successful relationship with your puppy. Please check out the various programs!

Update with Ted

Ted is doing great. We have had several guests stay with us and all comment on how well Ted behaves especially being a puppy. He is incredibly sweet and very tender hearted. He sleeps in between the girl’s rooms at night as he loves to protect his buddies.

I never have to even worry about him placing his teeth or paws on the baby. It is really cute the way he interacts with the baby. Lincoln pulls his fur and lays on him and Ted just goes with it. He is happiest when we have a house full of kids as he absolutely loves children.

Michele Zoller
Oakville, Ontario

Featured Treat

The Tricky Treat ball is a wonderful toy for all dogs. You take their regular kibble which you would feed them for breakfast/dinner and place it in their Tricky Treat ball. You can add a few extra treats in the ball if you would like to make it even more motivating to get their dinner. Then place it on the floor. It is best if you just leave the Tricky Treat ball there and not roll it so that they don't learn to wait for someone to roll it for them. That is the whole fun to watch them figure it out! So instead of feeding your dog their food in a bowl try one of these balls to challenge your dog mentally and watch them work for their food to mentally tire them out.

Check these out www.happyhound.ca/toys_treats.html

Dog Facts & A Free Evaluation!

Dog Facts:

Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety can be prevented with leaving your doggie a good stuffed bone, Bullwrinkle sticks or other doggie treats, which last a minimum of 15 minutes.

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