3 Simple Steps

You don't need complicated training tools or expensive classes .Teach your dog to associate PoochieBells with potty time & your approval and stay consistent.

HANG IT

Hang PoochieBells® on or near the inside of the door(s) your dog will use for potty breaks. Place one at each commonly used exit so your dog has the same clear signal throughout your home.

Adjust each strap length so the bells sit right at your dog’s nose level. This makes it easy and natural for them to nudge.

Keep them in the same place so your dog always knows where to go.

Consistency is what makes this work.

TEACH IT

Each time you take your dog outside, gently guide them to the bells and help them ring using their nose.

Give the bells a soft jingle and say something like:

“Outside” or “ring your bells.”

Then head outside together. Keep this trip focused on potty time, not playtime.

With repetition, your dog will begin to connect the motion of touching the bells, the sound they make, the words you say and going outside to potty. Soon they will start ringing the bells on their own.

CHEER IT

This is where the connection starts to click.

Every time your dog rings the bells, even with a little help, praise them and take them outside right away. Responding consistently teaches them that ringing the bells means it is time for a potty break.

Before long, your dog will begin ringing on their own to clearly tell you "I need to go out."

More questions? See our FAQ section below...

TRAINER TIP

Skip the treats at first.

Praise and the trip outside are the reward. This helps your dog to learn that ringing PoochieBells means:

"I need to go outside"

Not:

"I ring the bells and get a snack"

WHEN WILL MY DOG START RINGING?

Every dog learns at their own pace. Some dogs make the connection in just a few days, while others need a little more time.

Many dogs begin ringing on their own in about 10 days when the same routine is used consistently.

Don't worry about making it happen perfectly or quickly. The goal is simply to help your dog understand that the bells give them a reliable way to communicate with you.

MORE THAN ONE POTTY DOOR? YOU'RE COVERED

Dogs learn through consistency. If your pup goes outside through more than one door, place PoochieBells at each commonly used potty exit.

Back door
Side door
Upstairs and downstairs exits
A second commonly used potty door

That's why your PoochieBells set includes two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every PoochieBells comes with our proven training method, trusted by dog trainers since 2005. We suggest starting without treats so your dog focuses on ringing to go outside and not ringing for food. Praise your dog every time they ring to go out, that's their reward. If your dog is nervous at first, you can use a treat to introduce the bells, but phase it out quickly.

You're still in charge of when they go out. If your dog just went outside and rings again right away, wait until an appropriate amount of time has passed (about an hour) before responding. They'll quickly learn not to overuse their new communication tool.

We recommend teaching your dog to go potty outside right from the start. PoochieBells are designed to help your dog tell you when it s time to head outdoors not to signal for an indoor spot. Mixing bell training with pee pad training can be confusing for your dog. Plus, PoochieBells are a one-time purchase that lasts for years, unlike disposable pads that create waste and ongoing expense.

Yes. PoochieBells are designed for dogs of all sizes. Simply adjust your PoochieBells so the bells hang at your dog's nose level, making it easy for them to nudge the bells whenever they need to go outside.

For extra flexibility, you can also hang PoochieBells from a small hook placed beside the door and position them at the height that works best for your dog.

Yes. Consistency is the key to success. Leaving them in place gives your dog 24/7 access to their "voice" at the door. Every time the door opens and the bells ring, it reinforces the connection between ringing and going outside. And if you travel with your dog, take them along. Once your dog is fully trained, you can keep them on a hook beside the door or leave them on the knob.

Yes. They're designed to fit over any standard door handle or knob, or they can hang from a hook placed near your door. For glass doors, use a sturdy suction hook. We also offer decorative hooks if you'd like to keep them neatly displayed next to the door.

It depends on your dog and your consistency. Some pick it up in a few days, others in a few weeks. Stay consistent with your method and praise, and you'll get there.

We recommend starting when your puppy is about 12-16 weeks old... Typically this is old enough for them to understand the training process.

Definitely. Dogs of any age can learn new ways to communicate. For older dogs, PoochieBells aren't a "trick", they're a simple, effective tool that makes life easier for your whole family.

Absolutely. Many multi-dog households successfully use a single set of PoochieBells. Dogs often learn by watching one another, so once one dog understands that ringing the bells means it's time to go outside, the others frequently catch on quickly.

During training, spend a little one-on-one time with each dog so they can make the connection between ringing the bells and going outside. Before long, you'll find that everyone in the house knows exactly what the bells mean even if you're not always sure which dog rang them.

PoochieBells are designed for indoor use and are intended to help your dog communicate when they need to go outside.

While some pet parents ask about hanging bells outdoors, we generally do not recommend it. Bells are often more difficult to hear from outside the home, especially if you're in another room or there is background noise. More importantly, we never want your dog left outside unsupervised while waiting for someone to hear the bells.

For the safest and most effective communication, we recommend using PoochieBells indoors and accompanying your dog outside as part of their regular potty routine.

PoochieBells have been proudly handcrafted in New England since 2005. Each set is individually made using premium materials and our signature lead-free, doggie-safe bells, creating a communication tool that's designed to last throughout your dog's lifetime.

Yes. We began offering personalized PoochieBells in 2026, and we absolutely love the way they look. Customization is currently available on our solid color styles only.

Please allow up to 2 extra days for shipment, as each personalized set is made with care to ensure we get it just right for you and your pup.