apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Ha! I trained my toy dog (not the smartest) to ring a bell on a hook when he needs to go out.
1) it works great actually
2) yes, they will abuse it... he rings for potty breaks and also, if there is a squirrel on the patio and "i must protect the house... lemme at 'em!"
3) cheap, and "green"

my dad's dog also has a bell on a string and it is constantly being rung just so he can go check out a grasshopper or slight movement in the weeds beyond the lawn.

works great. kinda. depends on how much you wanna get bugged.

My Aunt uses the bell on a string method for her two beagles, works great. My family got the pet chime a few years ago, and it worked great. Somehow can't remember where it went though, we stopped using it at some point. Probably because she would paw at it at night.

Tell me more about this bell on a string deal. Thanks!

My dog also uses the bell on a string to be let OUT, but the doggy doorbell is for when said doggy wants to be let IN. I think it's pretty darn clever and for $24.99 I think I will try it out!

You can buy a big bell (they usually have them at craft stores, the Christmas bell kind) and attach it to some heavy duty string. You then hang it from the door knob or handle at a height comfortable for your dog and train them to use it.

I bought two of these
http://www.stanleyhardware.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=HDW CUP HOOKS&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=752970&SDesc=7%2F8%26quot%3B Bright Brass%283%29 Safety Cup Hook

safety cup hooks and installed them just above the baseboard near the front and back doors, then i hung a small brass bell on each (no source, were grandmas)

There are probably other ways of doing this as well, besides the big bell that is.

I have the doggy doorbell for Jack (my dog) and he loves it. It works great.

That is just the best picture..sorry to see pet month end

yeah, cute photo. i'm also sad to see pet month end.

maybe since there is a companion site for kids, cooking and green, there should be a pets one too!

Cool, I'll give that a try. My dogs just expect me to read their minds. I'll come downstairs to find them staring intently at the door trying to Jedi Mindtrick it open. They aren't barkers, so the bell will hopefully help all of us out when I'm not by their side.

And, yes, that photo is too much! :)

how do you train your dog to ring the bell?

Oh gosh, I need this (or the bell)! My cats like to be on the balcony. One of them paws the door when he wants in, which you can hear for a mile away. The other mews and you can barely hear it at all! We once left her out on a cold night and I felt sooo bad. Our cat senses are starting to tingle when she wants in, though.

great idea---going to make one of the bell things this week.