Poochie Bells - YorkieTalk.com Forums

ladyt · 03-01-2006, 04:54 PM

I got my new bells in today. I am wondering should I take Kiki outside or to the pee pads every time he touches them? They are new and I'm sure he will be wanting to explore what they are. I welcome all and any advise regarding the Poochie Bells system of training.

Thanks!

Calleasto · 03-01-2006, 05:03 PM

Well when I trained Chester to use them I would just brush his paws up against the bells and say "good boy, go outside, go potty" and take him immediately outside. After a week he started doing it on his own. Would you prefer he go outside or on the pee pad? Never heard of pee pad training that way, but I'm sure it would work.

ladyt · 03-01-2006, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calleasto

Well when I trained Chester to use them I would just brush his paws up against the bells and say "good boy, go outside, go potty" and take him immediately outside. After a week he started doing it on his own. Would you prefer he go outside or on the pee pad? Never heard of pee pad training that way, but I'm sure it would work.

I live in Michigan and some days and can be really bitter cold, so I've been using the Pee Pads as well as taking him out on warm days. My key words are go potty. So after I have him touch the bells with his paws I take him directly to the pee pad or outside. I just got the bells today. We will see if it clicks and if so how long it takes.

Thorsmomma · 03-01-2006, 06:11 PM

I can't wait to hear how it works out for you. I have heard great success stories about bells. I would say that after he touches the bell take him outside. I thought the whole point of bell training was to let YOU know when he needed to be taken out. If he has access to the wee wee pads all the time, I would think that it would be unnessesary for him to ring the bell and go the the pad. Good luck! It sounds fun!!

ladyt · 03-01-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorsmomma

I can't wait to hear how it works out for you. I have heard great success stories about bells. I would say that after he touches the bell take him outside. I thought the whole point of bell training was to let YOU know when he needed to be taken out. If he has access to the wee wee pads all the time, I would think that it would be unnessesary for him to ring the bell and go the the pad. Good luck! It sounds fun!!

I'm sorry. I should have been more specific about the pee pads. They are located in my basement. So, He can't get to them without me taking him down the stairs. He is 6 months and for some reason he has not realized that he can go down the basement stairs.

Thorsmomma · 03-01-2006, 06:21 PM

Oh I see. So is the door open and he just wont go down? OR is closed?

ladyt · 03-01-2006, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorsmomma

Oh I see. So is the door open and he just wont go down? OR is closed?

The door is open. He just will not go down the stairs. He climbs up them just fine. We also have 2 steps before a series of steps that lead down the basement. Every now and then he will go down the 2 steps but won't go down the rest. I am wondering how long it is going to take before he gets brave enough to go down all of them.

We also have crate trained, so he is able to hold it, but I got the poochie bells to help him tell us when he has to go. I am praying that they work.

Erin · 03-03-2006, 06:29 PM

Is it really too cold to let him out? I live in the Chicago suburbs and it was -20 at night last week and Loki still went outside. He goes out in the snow too. At the beginning of winter we put coats and sweaters on him, but he doesn't like them so we skip them now. He still rings his bells to go out and happily trots out to the grass. I mean, he's only out there for 15 seconds or however long it takes him to pee. He's never come back a popsicle. We have people on this board who have Yorkies in Alaska. Loki gets cold if he's out there for a few minutes with no coat, but not in the time it takes him to pee.

Poochie bells are meant to hang on the outside door. The dog is supposed to associate the ringing of the bells with the door opening. Loki was already target trained so ours hang on a suction cup next to the door since we were able to train him to ring them without that association, but that's not how they are supposed to work. If you are going to make them work, you need to put them on the door to the outside. Then you take his paw and hit them and say "outside!" and take him out. If he rings them on his own, respond immediately and praise him and let him out right away. Loki caught on in about a day, but he does training so it may take Kiki a few days. If Kiki rings the bells and you would rather he use the pad then just take him to the basement instead of letting him out. He is not going to know when he is expected to go in which spot. Let him always ask to go outside and then you can decide if he needs to go downstairs instead.

ladyt · 03-03-2006, 06:55 PM

Thanks Erin,

The information you provided really helps! We are moving this weekend. Once I get settled I am going to let you know how things are working. I will be sure to put the bells on the door, so he can associate them with going outside to potty. My husband and I both said that instead of the Pee Pads we are going to keep taking him outside. Where I am going we have a gate in the backyard, so that is going to be a big help also.

LitlbitRanch · 03-03-2006, 07:24 PM

I have been looking for something to help us, maybe this is it. Right now Trixie will go potty Near the door but has not associated letting me know she has to go.
How many have tried these bells? Do they work? Where can I get some? do they go on just one door or can you do two doors?
thanks for the info!!

Erin · 03-03-2006, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LitlbitRanch

I have been looking for something to help us, maybe this is it. Right now Trixie will go potty Near the door but has not associated letting me know she has to go.
How many have tried these bells? Do they work? Where can I get some? do they go on just one door or can you do two doors?
thanks for the info!!

I made mine for about $4. All you need is ribbon, a sewing machine, keyrings and bells. Otherwise you can buy them here: http://poochie-pets.net/

Bells work great for your situation. Loki would scratch at the door but we couldn't hear him from upstairs. Any time he went downstairs we would follow him to make sure he didn't need to go out. With the bells, he just lets us know. We don't have to worry. It's great!

LitlbitRanch · 03-03-2006, 08:45 PM

Thanks Erin!

These look neat. I'm going to Walmart tomorrow and will look for some ribbon, bells and keyrings. Did you just sew the rings on?

Any Picts? Thanks for all your help. I'm all for saving$$$$.

carleirulesme · 03-06-2006, 09:34 AM

I have cash touch the bells every time and he's still not using them.. i've had them for 2 weeks. am i doing something wrong?

ladyt · 03-07-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carleirulesme

I have cash touch the bells every time and he's still not using them.. i've had them for 2 weeks. am i doing something wrong?

Every time I have Kiki touch the bells, I say "go outside" with a lot of excitement. It's been about a week and now he runs up the stairs really fast and touch the bells and when I hear them I scream really loud and act as if I am just crazy about going outside and he gets just as excited as I do and starts jumping up and down and touching the bells over and over again. I hope this helps.

da121212 · 03-09-2006, 09:01 AM

I started Zoey on the bells about a month or so ago - she rings them ALL the time - I think she just wants to go outside and play. I'm not sure if she associates potty with the bells. I also you potty pads first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I have them in a bath tub (actually I've just been using newspaper) and she usually goes in there when I put her in there first thing in the morning. We're having a little trouble with pooping. I'm finding poop around every so often - so not sure the bells are working with that yet. Any advice?

Zoey's mom

03-01-2006, 04:54 PM	#1
ladyt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 837	Poochie Bells I got my new bells in today. I am wondering should I take Kiki outside or to the pee pads every time he touches them? They are new and I'm sure he will be wanting to explore what they are. I welcome all and any advise regarding the Poochie Bells system of training. Thanks! __________________ Ladyt (Tammy) & Kiki There has to be a God, because he made Yorkies!

03-01-2006, 05:03 PM	#2
Calleasto Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 81	Well when I trained Chester to use them I would just brush his paws up against the bells and say "good boy, go outside, go potty" and take him immediately outside. After a week he started doing it on his own. Would you prefer he go outside or on the pee pad? Never heard of pee pad training that way, but I'm sure it would work. __________________ Jamie, proud mom of Chester, Lexie and Zoie R.I.P. Chewie at Rainbow Bridge 7/14/2005-10/7/2005

03-01-2006, 06:11 PM	#4
Thorsmomma I Love Thor Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,147 Blog Entries: 1	I can't wait to hear how it works out for you. I have heard great success stories about bells. I would say that after he touches the bell take him outside. I thought the whole point of bell training was to let YOU know when he needed to be taken out. If he has access to the wee wee pads all the time, I would think that it would be unnessesary for him to ring the bell and go the the pad. Good luck! It sounds fun!! __________________ Hannah & Thor & Harry The boys on DOGSTER

03-01-2006, 06:21 PM	#6
Thorsmomma I Love Thor Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,147 Blog Entries: 1	Oh I see. So is the door open and he just wont go down? OR is closed? __________________ Hannah & Thor & Harry The boys on DOGSTER

03-03-2006, 06:29 PM	#8
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 2,698	Pads might confuse things? Is it really too cold to let him out? I live in the Chicago suburbs and it was -20 at night last week and Loki still went outside. He goes out in the snow too. At the beginning of winter we put coats and sweaters on him, but he doesn't like them so we skip them now. He still rings his bells to go out and happily trots out to the grass. I mean, he's only out there for 15 seconds or however long it takes him to pee. He's never come back a popsicle. We have people on this board who have Yorkies in Alaska. Loki gets cold if he's out there for a few minutes with no coat, but not in the time it takes him to pee. Poochie bells are meant to hang on the outside door. The dog is supposed to associate the ringing of the bells with the door opening. Loki was already target trained so ours hang on a suction cup next to the door since we were able to train him to ring them without that association, but that's not how they are supposed to work. If you are going to make them work, you need to put them on the door to the outside. Then you take his paw and hit them and say "outside!" and take him out. If he rings them on his own, respond immediately and praise him and let him out right away. Loki caught on in about a day, but he does training so it may take Kiki a few days. If Kiki rings the bells and you would rather he use the pad then just take him to the basement instead of letting him out. He is not going to know when he is expected to go in which spot. Let him always ask to go outside and then you can decide if he needs to go downstairs instead. __________________ Barkaholics 10% OFF in October! Use code: SPOOKY for 10% off orders over $15.

03-03-2006, 06:55 PM	#9
ladyt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 837	Thanks Erin, The information you provided really helps! We are moving this weekend. Once I get settled I am going to let you know how things are working. I will be sure to put the bells on the door, so he can associate them with going outside to potty. My husband and I both said that instead of the Pee Pads we are going to keep taking him outside. Where I am going we have a gate in the backyard, so that is going to be a big help also. __________________ Ladyt (Tammy) & Kiki There has to be a God, because he made Yorkies!

03-03-2006, 07:24 PM	#10
LitlbitRanch Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New River, Arizona Posts: 910 Blog Entries: 1	I have been looking for something to help us, maybe this is it. Right now Trixie will go potty Near the door but has not associated letting me know she has to go. How many have tried these bells? Do they work? Where can I get some? do they go on just one door or can you do two doors? thanks for the info!! __________________ KimberlyAnn - Mommy to three & three Check out Our Sale! Buy 2 get 1 FREE Puppy Wraps & Litlbit Wraps Use code YT10 for your extra discount!

03-03-2006, 08:45 PM	#12
LitlbitRanch Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New River, Arizona Posts: 910 Blog Entries: 1	Thanks Erin! These look neat. I'm going to Walmart tomorrow and will look for some ribbon, bells and keyrings. Did you just sew the rings on? Any Picts? Thanks for all your help. I'm all for saving$$$$. __________________ KimberlyAnn - Mommy to three & three Check out Our Sale! Buy 2 get 1 FREE Puppy Wraps & Litlbit Wraps Use code YT10 for your extra discount!

03-06-2006, 09:34 AM	#13
carleirulesme YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 545	I have cash touch the bells every time and he's still not using them.. i've had them for 2 weeks. am i doing something wrong? __________________ o0Tashia, Jonathan, Carlei, and Sophie0o CaSh

03-09-2006, 09:01 AM	#15
da121212 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Posts: 14	I started Zoey on the bells about a month or so ago - she rings them ALL the time - I think she just wants to go outside and play. I'm not sure if she associates potty with the bells. I also you potty pads first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I have them in a bath tub (actually I've just been using newspaper) and she usually goes in there when I put her in there first thing in the morning. We're having a little trouble with pooping. I'm finding poop around every so often - so not sure the bells are working with that yet. Any advice? Zoey's mom