Handling a puppy who isn’t potty trained can be difficult and frustrating, especially when you’re just starting to learn how to train them. There are a few different techniques that people use to potty train their puppies, but some of the most popular methods we suggest are to potty train a new puppy with bells and pee pads. These methods can be successful but do require some patience and diligence on your part to make sure that your puppy learns properly.
If you’re willing to put in the effort and time, this article will cover some of the best ways to teach potty (or toilet) training to a puppy by teaching them to ring a bell when they need to go outside. We will provide you with some general tips on how to make the process as smooth as possible to help your puppy (and you!) transition into this new stage of life. By having a little understanding and a lot of patience, you will be well on your way to having a potty-trained puppy in no time!
Potty Training Your Puppy Effectively with Bell Training
If you want to know how to potty train a puppy quickly and effectively, then you’re in luck! We’ve rounded up all of the best tips and tricks to get your furry friend potty trained in no time. But, in training your puppy (see also our 7 puppy training tips for new dog owners ), it is important to keep in mind that they have a very short attention span.
For this reason, it is essential to make sure that each and every training session is positive and brief (10 minutes at most). It is also important to remember that you have to be consistent with your commands, as well as the rules and regulations that you set in place. Teaching your dog to ring a bell really isn’t that difficult, but it does take patience. So, if you are ready to get started, grab a bag of treats (see also our review of the 7 best puppy treats), and you’ll have your dog ringing a bell in no time!
Here’s how to potty train your puppy using bells and pee pads:
Purchase Pee Pads (just for the beginning!)
These are essentially absorbent pads that you can place indoors for your puppy to use in case they need to go. Pee pads are great because they provide a designated spot for your puppy to pee and they also help to protect your floors. They’re ideal if you aren’t able to consistently take your pup outside or perhaps live in an apartment. When placing the pee pad down for your puppy pad training, make sure to put it in an area that is easily accessible to them. You may need to move the pads around a few times until you find the perfect spot.
Our recommendations for good and affordable pee pads:
Purchase a Small Bell For Your Dog to Ring and Teach Your Dog to Ring the Bell
You can find these at most pet stores or even online. Once you have your bell, tie it securely to the doorknob of the door that you will be using to take your puppy outside. Each time you take your puppy outside to go potty, make sure to ring the bell before opening the door. As your puppy gets used to this routine, it will begin to associate the sound of the bell with going outside and will eventually ring the bell to go potty on its own when it needs to go. This will help your puppy to associate ringing the bell with using the bathroom and will make it easier for them to remember what they need to do when they have to go. In addition, keep a close eye on your puppy when they are in the same room as the bell and pad. If you see them start to sniff around or circle the area, this is a sign that he needs to go and you should take them outside immediately if that’s an option. Just remember to always use the bell when you open the door, at least until your dog rings the bell on his own.
Our recommendation for bells (these are durable as some are prone to break):
CATHYLIFE Dog Doorball for Potty Training
Reward Them With a Treat
Whenever your puppy uses the bell to go outside or successfully uses the pee pad, make sure to give them plenty of praise and a few treats (see also our article on rawhide treats ). This will reinforce the positive behavior and help your puppy to understand that they are doing something right. This is an important part of the potty training process, so don’t forget to give your puppy a pat on the back (or rather, a treat) whenever they do something good!
Our choice for training treats:
Bil-Jac Little Jacs Small Dog Training Treats – Soft Chicken Liver Dog Treats for Puppy Rewards
Be Patient With Them
Like with anything in life, learning how to potty train your puppy takes time and patience. There will be miscommunications and accidents along the way, but as long as you are consistent with your commands and rewards then your puppy will eventually get the hang of it and will start ringing the bell when he needs to go potty. So, don’t get discouraged if it takes a little longer than expected. Your puppy will get there in the end!
Brief Your Household
In order for the potty training process to be successful, it’s important to have everyone on board. This means that everyone in your household needs to be aware of the rules and regulations that you have set in place. Make sure to brief your roommates, family members, or anyone else who may come into contact with your puppy on what they should do (and what they shouldn’t do). This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and will make the process a lot smoother for both you and your puppy.
Conclusion
Puppies can indeed be tricky to potty train, but it doesn’t have to be challenging. Utilizing bells to teach your dog potty train (see also ‘ How to Train Your Dog to Love Baths ‘) your puppy can be a very successful approach, as can puppy pads.
The above puppy potty training is made simple and effective for you and your puppy. It is just important to remember to stay patient, keep at it, and, most importantly: have fun throughout the process! Don’t let the potty training process get you down and stress you out. Soon enough, it will all be a thing of the past, and you’ll have an obedient, well-trained puppy to show for your efforts. After all, your puppy will be a joyous addition to your family.