OUR family has only ever had one dog that was vocal about being let outside to do her business. We have had many that wait patiently at the back door for someone to notice them standing with their legs crossed. Finally if their door staring fails to open the door, they are left to find an alternative, usually being the spot in front of the back door.
Many canine guardians have the same problem, stating their puppy goes on the carpet right in front of the back door. Let's face it, we humans are not always on the ball, we tend to be easily distracted. You may also be in another room, preoccupied and unable to see your dog standing at the back door.
Giving your dogs a physical means of letting you know that they need to be let out is very easy. It's as simple as using a piece of ribbon or rope and a couple of bells. Offering your dogs a specific means of letting you know they need out can help with house training, especially if you fail to offer 100 percent supervision.
Starting out
Get a long piece of ribbon, any colour. Tie the bells to the ribbon and hang them at nose (your dog's) level from the door handle of the door they will be using to go out to relieve themselves.
For the first week, you do nothing with the bells. The first week is for creating an association - door opens, bells ring, door opens, bells ring. Hmmm!
The second week, or sooner if you have a real smarty, point to the bells before letting your dog out. If you point, they will smell. As your dog's nose touches the bells, say "Good" and open the door quickly.
Make sure your dog always touches the bells to go out once you start the pointing part. Let everyone in the family know this. The only exception to having your dog touch the bells every time, is with very young puppies at the morning elimination time. I do not want puppies going in the house because they HAD to ring the bell first, so use your discretion with young pups.
In a couple of days, you will notice your dog touching the bells on its own. For some dogs it takes longer than others, so do not get discouraged. Once they start ringing the bells on their own, you must have them ring the bells before they go out.
You MUST let the dog out every time it rings the bell, especially in the beginning of training. Some dogs may abuse their bell power and ring the bell around the clock, driving your crazy. Normally the novelty wears off quickly.
You can help by having your dog sit each time it rings the bell before going outside. If you find that when your dog grows to an adult it abuses the bell, you can opt to take the bell off the door for short periods of time. - Sherri
