These days it seems like everyone is adopting a dog from a
shelter, versus buying a puppy. This is a wonderful thing to do,
however, often times dogs who are up for adoption, for one reason or
another, are not potty trained. This can present a lot of challenges for
the dog's new owner, but there is a house training method which is tried and true for both puppies and older dogs;
potty training bells. Dog training bells are simply a strip of ribbon
or fabric which has bells attached to it. This strip of bells is then
hung on your exit door knob or knobs.
The saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is entirely untrue. In fact, older dogs have longer attention spans than puppies, so they tend to be better students. If you are consistent and patient with your potty training bell program, you will find your older dog to be quite the willing and happy participant. This training method is similar to what you'd do for a puppy; however you can simplify it somewhat for an older dog.
Once you've hung your potty training bells, put your dog on his leash and take him to the door in which he'd exit to go outside to make. Show him the dog bells on the door and jingle them yourself for a moment. Then, announce a potty training command such as: "Ring the bells, let's go potty!" If he's a big dog, lead his nose to the bells and have him jingle them. If he's a small dog, guide one of his front paws upward and gently swat it at the bells.
While he's hearing the jingle he's caused, praise him lavishly: "Good boy, good bells - let's go potty!!". After introducing him to the bell, take him directly outside to make. Once he starts making, verbally praise him, and then immediately give him a dog treat that he finds irresistible. Do not give him a treat until he makes - even if he rings the bell by himself. You don't want to accidentally train him to ring the bell for a treat! He needs to make the connection between the act of going potty and the treat.
Here's where extra patience is required; older dogs might take some time to sniff around for awhile before making. However, if you've had your dog outside for more than ten minutes, chances are, he probably doesn't have to make at this time. In that case, take him back inside and try again in forty-five minutes to an hour. State your potty training command, help him ring the bells, and then promptly take him outside - on his leash. It's vital that you always leash your dog, as you want to be able to control him.
After repeating this training program several times a day, your dog will begin to understand what you want from him, and then he will start ringing the bells himself. Though it may take several weeks for your older dog to potty train, the use of the house breaking bells really does work! It's a recommended housebreaking technique by both professional trainers and veterinarians. The reason this method works so well when it comes to house training older dogs is because it bridges the communication gap between dog and human.
The saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is entirely untrue. In fact, older dogs have longer attention spans than puppies, so they tend to be better students. If you are consistent and patient with your potty training bell program, you will find your older dog to be quite the willing and happy participant. This training method is similar to what you'd do for a puppy; however you can simplify it somewhat for an older dog.
Once you've hung your potty training bells, put your dog on his leash and take him to the door in which he'd exit to go outside to make. Show him the dog bells on the door and jingle them yourself for a moment. Then, announce a potty training command such as: "Ring the bells, let's go potty!" If he's a big dog, lead his nose to the bells and have him jingle them. If he's a small dog, guide one of his front paws upward and gently swat it at the bells.
While he's hearing the jingle he's caused, praise him lavishly: "Good boy, good bells - let's go potty!!". After introducing him to the bell, take him directly outside to make. Once he starts making, verbally praise him, and then immediately give him a dog treat that he finds irresistible. Do not give him a treat until he makes - even if he rings the bell by himself. You don't want to accidentally train him to ring the bell for a treat! He needs to make the connection between the act of going potty and the treat.
Here's where extra patience is required; older dogs might take some time to sniff around for awhile before making. However, if you've had your dog outside for more than ten minutes, chances are, he probably doesn't have to make at this time. In that case, take him back inside and try again in forty-five minutes to an hour. State your potty training command, help him ring the bells, and then promptly take him outside - on his leash. It's vital that you always leash your dog, as you want to be able to control him.
After repeating this training program several times a day, your dog will begin to understand what you want from him, and then he will start ringing the bells himself. Though it may take several weeks for your older dog to potty train, the use of the house breaking bells really does work! It's a recommended housebreaking technique by both professional trainers and veterinarians. The reason this method works so well when it comes to house training older dogs is because it bridges the communication gap between dog and human.
By using these potty training tips for housebreaking an older dog, you are giving your dog a way of telling you his needs by ringing the housebreaking bells, which he knows you completely understand. Plus, he gets a treat out of the deal, too!
I am a dog lover from the UK and have been working with puppies in South Florida. I am also a qualified personal trainer and used to train students to become personal trainers, also studied nutrition and apply most techniques used across the board, yes, also for animals:) My aim is to share my knowledge with everyone and hope that it can benefit others in some way.
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I am a dog lover from the UK and have been working with puppies in South Florida. I am also a qualified personal trainer and used to train students to become personal trainers, also studied nutrition and apply most techniques used across the board, yes, also for animals:) My aim is to share my knowledge with everyone and hope that it can benefit others in some way.
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