My little freak-a-zoid...

[vainchick5]

Ok so as many of you know I just started the bell training for Coco. I'm trying to train her to hit the bell with her paw or snout when she needs to go potty. So I just started yesterday to help her hit the bell with her paw, say OUTSIDE, tell her good girl, take her outside, she potties right away then I praise her and give her a treat. But SHE'S AFRAID OF THE BELL..lol...she backs away from it and growls at it, so I have to take her and literally force her to touch it with her paw..lol..and she growls, but once I make her touch it, she waits patiently to go outside...I'm confused..lol...should I keep trying? It's only been a day or so and hasn't been consistent because I've been at work.

[Jaspermom]

I am having the exact same problem-o!

Thanks for posting!!!

[vainchick5]

Just curious to see if someone else has come across this problem and if they overcame it..lol..it's really funny though, she totally just backs her toosh up and growls at it..lol

[chewysmom]

CoCo is insane!!!! LOL, I think it's totally normal for her to wonder, "why is my mommy making me do this???" I would give her a little time and I'm sure she will get the hang of it!

[arty52]

My trainer set up the bell sysytem. I tried it for a few days but Sabrina wanted no part of it. He said to put some peanut butter on the bell. That didn't work. I kept the bells on and a few MONTHS later she started doing it herself. I guess the sound of the bells when the doors opened worked. I got her when she was 2 and was surprised she picke this up a few months later. The only downside is she uses the bells to go out. Not just for going potty. She rings them all the time ...at all hours!!! Gotta love her.

[vainchick5]

I heard about that...that sometimes they just ring it to go outside..not just for potty..lol...Peanut butter might be a good idea...hmm...Or I was thinking of covering the bells with a small baby sock, maybe the bells scare her.

[Lexi Rae]

good idea to cover it nobella

[vainchick5]

I don't know if it's the noise or the color of the bell, so I thought covering it with a finger puppet or a baby sock might help. What do you guys think?

[FirstYorkie]

I never showed Joey how to ring it. I just let it ring naturally as the door opened and closed. Occasionally, I'd give it an extra jingle before I opened the door. He figured it out from there.

In other words, I'd just kind-of ignore the bell until she gets more used to it.

[bchgirl]

I was thinking I'd try the bells too. So I get my sewing/craft basket out cause I know I have bells in there, get distracted with something else, then suddenly what do I hear.....jingle bells. Trace has got a string of bells out of the basket himself and is shaking them like a mad man. Guess I won't have to worry about the noise scaring him

[rrosenberry]

I tried that in the beginning when he was a pup,and he was the same way and would sit and bark at it, everytime he would come near it, but he then picked up the, GO OUT to GO POTTY thing and I was fine with that. So I put the bell away.

He also Barked non-stop at the Clicker when we tried that...

[jesscruz]

i say continue, don't give up. our babies are very smart, and she might be afraid now but i am sure she will get usto it. my coco got it down in 30 minutes when he was just a little pup.

[vainchick5]

She is so smart too, but it's like she doesn't want to give in..lol..but she knows once the bells ring, her tail wags, and she knows it means she's going outside. I don't get it..lol

[FirstYorkie]

Originally Posted by vainchick5

....but she knows once the bells ring, her tail wags, and she knows it means she's going outside. I don't get it..lol

That's great! It means you're on the right track!

[vainchick5]

I think this weekend will be a good time to keep her learning more, because it will give me a chance to be more consistent as opposed to taking her a couple of times when I get home from work.