How to train to use bells? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Pietro37 · 10-20-2006, 11:25 AM

I have taken away my yorkies pee pads

and am trying to just get her to go outside only (unless she is in her xpen while I'm gone). I am taking her out every half hour right now but she is only 5 mo and still has accidents in the house. In the evenings sometimes she'll go every 15 min!

I live on the 3rd floor of an apt (with no elevator) and I'd like to train my yorkie to ring a bell to let me know she needs to go out.

How did you train your yorkies to use the bells?

BLowry · 10-20-2006, 12:11 PM

All you need to do is either buy a bell strap or, take a peice of ribbon or, whatever you want to use, and tie some bells on it. tie it to you door knob and before you bring your furbaby outside sit him/her in front of the door, pick up their paw and ring the bell...tell him/her good girl/boy and bring her out...when you bring him in give him a treat (if he goes) eventually he will get the idea of it...

IMO,.,...If I lived on the third floor I would definately have them pad trained..running up and down 3 flights of stairs all day and night doesn't sound like fun.

Good Luck!

SweetCuteness · 10-20-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLowry

All you need to do is either buy a bell strap or, take a peice of ribbon or, whatever you want to use, and tie some bells on it. tie it to you door knob and before you bring your furbaby outside sit him/her in front of the door, pick up their paw and ring the bell...tell him/her good girl/boy and bring her out...when you bring him in give him a treat (if he goes) eventually he will get the idea of it...

IMO,.,...If I lived on the third floor I would definately have them pad trained..running up and down 3 flights of stairs all day and night doesn't sound like fun.

Good Luck!

It's good exercise though! We live in a house, but even if I lived in a 3rd floor apartment I don't know that I'd keep the pads. They gross me out sometimes and get kind of annoying to clean up several times per day. JMO.

Gracie2006 · 10-20-2006, 12:23 PM

My puppy school teacher said to put a dab of peanut butter on the lowest bell. Whenever you take baby out, ring the bell and let her have at the bell with peanut butter on it. Eventually, baby will make the connection between the bell and going outside to potty. I'm getting ready to start doing this with Gracie. It's nice to know there is someone else going through this!

BLowry · 10-20-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

My puppy school teacher said to put a dab of peanut butter on the lowest bell. Whenever you take baby out, ring the bell and let her have at the bell with peanut butter on it. Eventually, baby will make the connection between the bell and going outside to potty. I'm getting ready to start doing this with Gracie. It's nice to know there is someone else going through this!

what a great idea!!! I am going to try that!

Thanks

BLowry · 10-20-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetCuteness

It's good exercise though! We live in a house, but even if I lived in a 3rd floor apartment I don't know that I'd keep the pads. They gross me out sometimes and get kind of annoying to clean up several times per day. JMO.

you are right! very good exercise but, I just think of those cold winters with the snow blowing and it's like -20 below with the wind chill....and your all cuddled up on the couch with a comfy quilt and then all of a sudden jingle,jingle,jingle!!!! and with a windchill like that your little furbabies toes will freeze to the ground! I know....alittle dramatic!LOL

Pietro37 · 10-20-2006, 08:25 PM

Thanks! The peanut butter idea is a great idea, I will definitely try it.

Luckily I live in California so weather is not usually an issue, but it is a pain to keep walking her up and down the stairs.

LuvMyChloe · 10-21-2006, 04:55 AM

Bell training was the best thing I did. I was able to get Chloe to understand that outside was for going the bathroom, but she won't bark for me, she would sit near the door, so unless I was in the same room, I didn't know when she wanted to go. The only problem I have now, is that if she wants more attention or wants to go out to play, she runs right over to the door, looks at me, and swats the bells. I know sometimes she doesn't have to go, because we were just out, but I figure if I don't bring her, she'll stop ringing the bells. Small price to pay for a trained dog. I suggest making an extra set of bells, with a large loop that can fit over any door. I bring the extra set with me when I take her to other houses, and when we get there I show them to her on the door, and she uses them! Good luck!

Pietro37 · 10-21-2006, 08:52 PM

How long did it take for you to train your yorkie to use the bells as a signal to go outside?

Monday · 10-21-2006, 10:58 PM

you guys have the best ideas ... I notice that when Monday is hungry she comes and gets me and then goes and sits by her bowl .... These little Yorkies sure are smart!

Piccolo's mom · 10-22-2006, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

My puppy school teacher said to put a dab of peanut butter on the lowest bell. Whenever you take baby out, ring the bell and let her have at the bell with peanut butter on it. Eventually, baby will make the connection between the bell and going outside to potty. I'm getting ready to start doing this with Gracie. It's nice to know there is someone else going through this!

Thanks for the tip. I have to try this.

bellaismybaby · 10-22-2006, 09:20 AM

Thanks for the great idea. I was having trouble getting Bella to ring her poochie bells. The peanut butter idea worked already!!

LuvMyChloe · 10-22-2006, 10:45 AM

To train Chloe to use the bells took about 4 weeks. She started to use them once in a while after about 2 - 3 weeks, but it became consistent about 4 - 5 weeks. Now she uses them all the time. It took a lot less time than I thought it would.

AprilLove · 10-22-2006, 12:27 PM

When training AprilLove, I just put her paw on the bell every time we went outside and said "ring the bell" it took about a week and now she will use it to go out to play/ potty/ and she also uses it to let the other doggies out and to tell me when they want to come in! She is one smart little Yorkie
Here is a pic of her ringing it to let her sister Bitsy out

Erin · 10-23-2006, 05:24 PM

Here's Loki and his bells that I made are behind him. I put 4 sets on there so it's loud enough to hear all over the house. We just asked him to ring them (he either swats at them or nudges them) and then said "OUTSIDE!" and went right outside. I would put his leash on him first and then do this. When he would sit near the door or scratch, I would ask him to ring the bells first and then we would go out right away. After a few days of directing him to the bells he would ring them on his own. Now he's been doing it about a year and it's second nature to him.

10-20-2006, 11:25 AM	#1
Pietro37 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 40	How to train to use bells? I have taken away my yorkies pee pads and am trying to just get her to go outside only (unless she is in her xpen while I'm gone). I am taking her out every half hour right now but she is only 5 mo and still has accidents in the house. In the evenings sometimes she'll go every 15 min! I live on the 3rd floor of an apt (with no elevator) and I'd like to train my yorkie to ring a bell to let me know she needs to go out. How did you train your yorkies to use the bells?

10-20-2006, 12:11 PM	#2
BLowry Loved by Sadie & Lillie Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,786	All you need to do is either buy a bell strap or, take a peice of ribbon or, whatever you want to use, and tie some bells on it. tie it to you door knob and before you bring your furbaby outside sit him/her in front of the door, pick up their paw and ring the bell...tell him/her good girl/boy and bring her out...when you bring him in give him a treat (if he goes) eventually he will get the idea of it... IMO,.,...If I lived on the third floor I would definately have them pad trained..running up and down 3 flights of stairs all day and night doesn't sound like fun. Good Luck! __________________ Brenda

10-20-2006, 12:23 PM	#4
Gracie2006 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 3,849	My puppy school teacher said to put a dab of peanut butter on the lowest bell. Whenever you take baby out, ring the bell and let her have at the bell with peanut butter on it. Eventually, baby will make the connection between the bell and going outside to potty. I'm getting ready to start doing this with Gracie. It's nice to know there is someone else going through this! __________________ I love my precious babies Gracie and Holly! Gracie Wuvs Bailey! Proud member of the YT Gracie Girls!

10-21-2006, 10:58 PM	#10
Monday AND Friday also! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: USA Posts: 3,240	you guys have the best ideas ... I notice that when Monday is hungry she comes and gets me and then goes and sits by her bowl .... These little Yorkies sure are smart! __________________ Like dogs, we should sniff butts, not kiss them. Dogs have more friends because they wag their tails, not their tongues. http://music.clevver.com/video/25815...ersion-300.php

10-22-2006, 09:20 AM	#12
bellaismybaby Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 822	Thanks for the great idea. I was having trouble getting Bella to ring her poochie bells. The peanut butter idea worked already!! __________________ Bella Izzie Julie

10-20-2006, 08:25 PM	#7
Pietro37 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 40	Thanks! The peanut butter idea is a great idea, I will definitely try it. Luckily I live in California so weather is not usually an issue, but it is a pain to keep walking her up and down the stairs.

10-21-2006, 04:55 AM	#8
LuvMyChloe Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 10	Bell training was the best thing I did. I was able to get Chloe to understand that outside was for going the bathroom, but she won't bark for me, she would sit near the door, so unless I was in the same room, I didn't know when she wanted to go. The only problem I have now, is that if she wants more attention or wants to go out to play, she runs right over to the door, looks at me, and swats the bells. I know sometimes she doesn't have to go, because we were just out, but I figure if I don't bring her, she'll stop ringing the bells. Small price to pay for a trained dog. I suggest making an extra set of bells, with a large loop that can fit over any door. I bring the extra set with me when I take her to other houses, and when we get there I show them to her on the door, and she uses them! Good luck!

10-21-2006, 08:52 PM	#9
Pietro37 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 40	How long did it take for you to train your yorkie to use the bells as a signal to go outside?

10-22-2006, 10:45 AM	#13
LuvMyChloe Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 10	To train Chloe to use the bells took about 4 weeks. She started to use them once in a while after about 2 - 3 weeks, but it became consistent about 4 - 5 weeks. Now she uses them all the time. It took a lot less time than I thought it would.