While hanging a bell by the door seems like an easy potty training fix, professional trainers warn it can teach puppies the wrong behavior.

Potty training is one of the first hurdles you have to cross as a new puppy parent. At first, you can try to watch for signs that your puppy might need to go out, like sniffing around, scratching the door or circling. Then you rush outside, hopefully before an accident happens.

But eventually, you want your new family member to tell you more clearly when they need to go outside instead of the other way around. Bell training is one way to do that. Your dog rings a bell by the door when they need to go, and then you let them out.

But dog trainers don’t always agree that bell training is the best route. Some say it teaches dogs to ask for playtime instead of a bathroom trip. I talked with two trainers to find out what they recommend, then looked for a few bell options to try. 

In a dream world, your puppy would instantly get the idea that ringing a bell is the way to communicate their need to go potty. In reality, getting there takes repetition and patience. 

Ben Berenfield, founder and dog trainer at Haven Dog Training , breaks the process into three steps. “The first thing we do is teach them a marker, a click or a ‘yes,’ which means you’re getting paid,” said Berenfield. He recommends pairing that marker with a treat until the puppy catches on.

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