Tips for training a dog to give a signal that they need to potty?

Question

Until now, I've been SUPER lucky -- all my rescues have a way of letting me know when they need to go outside to potty.  My newest little guy had a tough start to life - he was bought by a man & kept in 1 bedroom of the guy's apartment, when the guy got sick the roommate dumped the dog at the shelter.  We don't know if he ever even went outside (I know some small dog owners litter train or only use wee-wee pads).
My older dog will go to the door & scratch at it - the new guy doesn't seem to let you know at all that he has to go out, you turn around & there is a mess on the floor.  We do go out regularly, and he is now 1yr old (we've had him 4 months) so we're not dealing with a little puppy that can't hold it at all, but I would really like to teach him to give me a signal he needs to go out.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips for teaching a dog to give a cue that they need to go potty -- such as my older dog that will paw at the door.

cjrossi · Accepted Answer

tie a line of christmas bells to the door to the yard, and always use that door for potty breaks.

your dog may or may not learn to use the bells.

I've got two littermates, brothers. One picked up on it right away, the other - clueless, even though most of the times he is let out are triggered by his brah ringing the bells.

*chillin like a villain* education before pet · Answer

I don't know if you would be open to this, but we clicker train my puppy and taught her to use Poochie Bells. She was not an easy one to house train, but once she got it, she got it!

1. Introduce the bells on the ground. Click and treat for showing interest.
2. Hold the bells dangling from you hand. Click and treat for touching the bells.
3. Hold the bells next to the front door (where they will be hung). Click and treat for touching the bells. Then do the same but not holding the bells. Have them hanging where they will be hanging.
4. When the dog touches the bell, click, open the front door and treat outside the door.
5. When the dog touches the bell, click, open the front door, treat, and take them outside to do their business.
6. Eventually ween off the click, then the treat.

These are all steps to follow one after the other. Do quick little lessons of 10 minutes here and there. Once your dog has mastered one step, move to the next.

In between the steps before the dog is ringing the bells on their own, you can ring the bell every time you take the dog outside to do their business. Or if you can signal the dog to do it (I could do that with mine), have them do it, then go outside.

My dog used the bells for months. Now she sits by the door. That's her signal. If we don't see her sitting there, then she rings the bells.

It's not for everyone (or every dog), but it worked very well for mine.

Best of luck!

LaneFaith · Answer

try to teach them to ring a bell on the doornob but my dog just stands near the door or barks

23 · Answer

I remember when my dogs were little they would pant and/or walk around in circles when they had to go to the bathroom! Hope I helped you!(:

Tips for training a dog to give a signal that they need to potty?

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