Bell Training

If you remember, we taught Saki to ring a bell when she needs to go outside. This is a great thing to train your dog to do... no questioning what she wants to do when you hear the bell ring....

that is; if you don't have a smart dog.

If you have a minimal intelligent dog, go ahead... teach away. If you can get your stupid dog to do it, more power to you! DO NOT teach a smart dog to do this.

A smart dog will use this training against you... to train you.

Bell rings... what does Saki want? You would assume she wants to go outside, right? Not all the time... see Saki learned, real quick, that when she rings the bell - humans come running! So the ringing of the bell could mean a number of things:

1. Saki wants outside to go potty
2. Saki wants to outside and play
3. Saki wants to go for a walk
4. Saki wants attention
5. Saki is bored
6. Saki likes the sound of the bell
7. Saki gets a kick out of watching humans jump to her every command

Now, #2 you can usually tell because she'll look back to see if Chico, the resident Pomeranian, is coming (Chico has no interest in the bell - but he's sort of stupid). #3 you can tell because on her way through the entry way she will reach up and grab her leash in her mouth. The rest of it is pure guessing on the human part.

Sometimes you hear the bell... go to the door and Saki is nowhere to be found. She went off to lay down somewhere to take a nap. I suppose she just wants us to know where she is at all times.

So if you are thinking of bell training your dog... don't. Unless your dog isn't very smart.