It is awesome.

But, they also realize that when they ring a bell, they get to go outside. If you have a dog that loves being outside, it is REALLY annoying at times.

But we still do it.

Steps for bell training:

Every time you go outside, make the dog ring the bell. Make it a happy ring - maybe put some peanut butter or something on the bell to get the dog to nose it.

When they nose it, tell them "Good!" and take them outside. We also trained our dogs to eliminate on command - we use "go potty" but sound like idiots when we say it. I will probably change the command for the next dog. To train them to eliminate on command, overlay the command on the desired behavior (when the dog pees, say "Go Number 1!" or whatever and then throw a party - eventually the dog will realize that eliminating on command = treats and parties). After you have overlayed the command for awhile, you can begin prediciting when he will go and give the command before he goes.

Back to bell training - same concept. Bell rings= going outside. Every. single. time with a puppy. Puppies can't hold their bladders for very long (about an hour for every four weeks of life), so there will be lots of opportunities to go outside.

Some people use the dog's paws to ring bells, but I'd be afraid of the dog scratching up the door frame (because the bells will be on or next to the door you will use to go outside), so we use their nose. To each their own.

Poor Mr. Crawdad. No testosterone and being told when to take a whiz.