Do you have a dog who doesn’t listen when you call for her? Or ignores you altogether? Perhaps you have just adopted a puppy or given a neglected and untrained rescue dog a loving home, and you need a quick way to potty train your new dog. A straightforward process that can solve these issues--and which is easy on your dog and your ears--is bell training.
Bell training is relatively simple and allows your dog to have a point of reference or association with whatever action you link to the sound. In this manner, training your dog to come when called or to ring a bell to come inside or to go potty becomes a beneficial skill for your dog to acquire. With a little bit of practice and lots of patience, you’ll learn to come running when that bell rings, too!
The famous Pavlov’s dog experiment applies to bell training. When done correctly, this exercise will help you and your dog communicate clearly with each other. Your dog will understand your expectations, and the dog will be able to let you know what her needs are at a given time. This process can eliminate misunderstandings, frustration, and accidents around the house.
Although bell training is a skill a dog can learn over a short period, all dogs are not created equal. Be patient and always bring a positive attitude to each training session. Keep those exercises short--five to ten minutes per session--and repeat them a few times a day. Soon your dog will ring that bell to let you know what she needs.
For all three of these training exercises, you will need a bell. Bells or materials to make them can be found in craft stores. There are also bells specially made for dog training that you can order online. Make sure the bell is one that your dog will be able to reach, and the sound is one you can stand.
Additional materials to have on hand are treats, patience, and an upbeat, positive attitude. Your dog will pick up on your enthusiasm for this project, and the two of you will be talking to each other in bell-speak in no time at all.