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False alarms

Posted November 29th, 2007 by dogwalkerartist
in

Hi,
Filou finally made the connection to ringing the bell to ask to go outside. He's quite reliable, however, he will also ring the bell when he doesnt need to potty but just wants to sniff around or bark at something.
Currently I'm honoring each request, but if he doesn't produce in 2 minutes, he goes back in for a 5 minute time out in the crate.
That hasnt had too much effect, after he gets out the crate, he'd run to the door and ring again. So today and in coming days I'm going to put him on a tether after crating him and ignore him for a longer time, say 15 minutes, with his everyday chew toys.
I think he's either bored or wants attention. Marrow bones are the only chew toys that really keep him occupied- but I kind of like to give those as reward. Kongs don't thrill him. I take him out one door for potty and a different door for walks, so I also thought of putting another set of bells up so he could ask for a walk. That way I could say "not now" or take him for a short walk. No fenced yard here.
He normally gets his play, walk, lessons for 45mins or so after doing potty outside-so that's 3-4 times a day.
AlsoI give him a short play/training session during the time between potty breaks if he's been "settling" nicely
Any other suggestions?
Jen
Thanks

Comments

Stack the deck in your favour

Aidan's picture
On November 29th, 2007 Aidan says:

Hi Jen, I don't think there's much you can do about dogs who ring the bell when they just want to go out for reasons other than pottying. I point that out in the article.

There are some things you can do, but I think to do it properly I would need to show you exactly what. A 5 min time out in the crate isn't going to cut the mustard, particularly when he's already received the reinforcer for ringing the bell.

I suggest that if you want to keep using the bells you only hang them up when he's very likely to need to go potty. Eventually he might make the connection. This is stacking the deck in your favour, but it only increases the probability slightly.

Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com

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