Housebreaking can become a problem if you get a puppy.If you teach your dog to use a bell, you can save a lot of time and stress.If you combine bell-training with a regular schedule and crate training you will get the best results.
Step 1: Understand the importance of a schedule.
Your puppy needs to be on a schedule.You help him fit into your life by regulating his feeding, sleeping, playing, and bathroom schedule.The routine will bring him comfort, and you will have fewer accidents down the road.
Step 2: An eating routine can be established.
Puppies should get four meals per day until they are 12 weeks old.They should get 1-2 meals a day after that.Feed your puppy the recommended amount.The total amount a dog should eat is given on many labels.You have to divide those amounts into portions throughout the day.If you want the puppy to grow well, feed him in meals instead of leaving food out.Pick up the rest of his food if he doesn't finish it in 15 minutes.Small breeds are more likely to have low blood sugar.To make sure their sugar levels are healthy, they should be fed four smaller meals.
Step 3: A bathroom schedule is needed.
The puppy should be allowed to use the bathroom outside after every meal, play session, and nap.He will need a few weeks to get used to the schedule.The puppy will be able to go for longer periods between bathroom sessions.Puppies need to use the bathroom every hour until they are housebroken.You should let them out at night.The puppies should be able to hold it for about two hours during the day and four hours at night.
Step 4: A regular sleep schedule is important for your puppy.
After a bathroom break, there is a regular night time that comes right after.Puppies as young as eight weeks old will sleep for a full eight hours at night.Most will need to use the bathroom at night.After putting your dog to bed, do this for 2 hours.It is a good idea to let the dog out every two hours the first night or two.The time between wake-ups should be increased from every two hours to every four hours.This is dependent on the breed and how much sleep your puppy gets.Use your discretion.If you let him nap all day, he won't sleep at night.
Step 5: Make a play schedule for your puppy.
Your puppy's development is dependent on play-time.He'll learn that he's not allowed to bite or scratch, while working off his meals and growing strong and healthy.He won't have excess energy that keeps him awake during nap or sleep times because it wears him out.He will be on his sleep schedule if he has a regular play schedule.Training sessions should be fun for the puppy.Your puppy should be kept safe while he plays.Help him avoid falling, getting stuck, or eating/chewing on things he shouldn't.
Step 6: Purchase a crate for your dog.
The first step in potty training is crate training.Pick a crate that has enough room for your dog to turn around.It should have enough room for him to use the bathroom in one corner and sleep in another.If you teach your puppy to associate his crate with the bathroom, he will resist going into it to sleep or lay down.If the crate is the right size for the puppy, expect accidents in the first few weeks.Don't lose your patience.He is still learning.If your puppy is a larger breed, you should consider buying a crate with barriers that can be removed as the dog grows.
Step 7: The crate is the best place to keep your puppy.
The crate should be placed in a busy room in the house.The family room is a good location for crate training.The puppy can explore the crate at his own pace if the door is left open.Leave him in the crate for longer periods of time after he's grown used to it.If you can't watch him, crate him at night.If you want to bring the crate into the bedroom at night, you can move it between rooms.Make sure your dog feels safe there.
Step 8: There is a regular bathroom spot.
You should take him to that spot every time.He will be less likely to have accidents in other places if he associates going to the bathroom with a specific place.It will make clean-up easier in the future because you know where he likes to go.
Step 9: The puppy should only be outside for a limited time.
During the first few weeks of potty training, minimize the amount of time he plays outside.In the middle of his potty training, he will be confused by what he should do when he goes outside.You can start spending more time outside with him when he is potty trained.
Step 10: Encourage your puppy to use the bathroom.
He can be commanded to use the bathroom by choosing a specific word or phrase."Go potty" is an example.The same phrase and tone of voice is used when you take him outside and when he goes to the bathroom.If your puppy uses the bathroom after you give it a command, praise him and give him a treat.Your dog might be encouraged to defecate by a separate command.Teaching a dog to associate a specific command with defecating can be useful.
Step 11: The puppy needs to be crated if he doesn't potty on his own.
This isn't a punishment but a training tool.If your puppy doesn't use the bathroom within a few minutes of you giving the command, put him in his crate.Don't let the dog out of the crate, it will confuse the learning process.Take him back to the bathroom after a few minutes and give the command again.After you give the command, repeat the process until he tries to use the bathroom.When he finally uses the bathroom, repeat the command and reward him with lots of praise and a treat, then let him back into the house to play.
Step 12: The bell should be incorporated into potty training.
Each time you take the dog out, hang the bell by the door.If you want your puppy to reach with his paw or nose, hang it low.The bell should only be used with a single door.Once the puppy knows how the bell system works, you can add more bells at other doors.Young puppies may not be able to hold it long enough to get to the door that leads outside.If the dog spends the most time in the living room, hang the bell there.The puppy can hold the bell a little longer so you can move it to the outside door.It is important to keep the living area small until potty training is established.Attach a bell to a puppy gate.
Step 13: Your puppy will associate the bell with positive things.
Before using the bell as part of potty training, you need to make your puppy comfortable with the sound.Ring the treats when the dog comes to get them.When the dog touches the bell, you can reward him with an additional treat.Once the dog knows the bell is a reward, repeat this process.
Step 14: The puppy will ring the bell himself.
Next to the bell is where you should put him when you go outside on a bathroom break.If the bell rings, open the door immediately and give a lot of praise.If you want to train your puppy to ring the bell without ringing it on its own, you can tap your fingers on the wall or door next to it.Your puppy should be able to ring the bell by jumping up to your fingers.You can say " Outside" by holding a treat just behind the bell.The puppy will ring the bell when he gets the treat.Take your puppy's paw and hit the bell with it.If you are rushing to the bathroom, skip the bell training.The bell should only be used during bathroom breaks.
Step 15: Consistency is what you need to be.
Your puppy has a good sense of cause and effect.Anything he observes before the door opens will be seen as a cause of the desired effect.Variation can make your dog confused before the door opens.It's easy for him to learn what he needs to do.It should be simple.Don't mix and match is one of the methods outlined in the previous step.
Step 16: The puppy has learned how to use the bell.
You can either move the bell to a different door or hang it by the door.The dog can use the bell on the road if you take it with you.If your dog stays at another home while you are away, send the bell with him.If you need to find a new home for your dog, be sure to let the new owners know he's bell trained and encourage them to make a bell available.