Using a bell for potty training

Question
I put a wireless doorbell on the floor by the door to potty train my 4 month old Maltipoo. The first week she learned quickly to "ring the bell" every time before she could go out and potty. She seemed very happy and excited to do this. This was with me leading her to the door and prompting each time. Only once did she go to the door on her own and ring the bell to be let outside.

Now, she is balking at ringing the bell and just wants to dance around and play like she doesn't know what I'm expecting of her. She doesn't want to ring it anymore, and continues to potty in the house rather than going to the door and using the bell. I am extremely patient with her and use positive reinforcement methods to train. Why would she "learn" so quickly and then completely abandon the training? Thank you very much, Karen Howell

Answer
Hi Karen.  It sounds like she never truly made the connection between ringing the bell and going outside to potty.  Ringing the bell is no longer reinforcing to her.

Go back a few steps and re-train.  Put her on leash and stand by the bell.  If she touches it, even by accident, say "YES!" and give a small treat.  Do this NO MORE THAN 3 times.  The 4th time, you will open the door, walk outside with her and give the treat.  Do this step no more than twice.  At no time during this process, will you give her any sort of cue to ring the bell.  This is something that she must do on her own, so you have to simply wait for her to offer the behavior to mark it with the "YES!" and treat.

When you know she has to potty (after waking overnight or from a nap or after a play session), take her to the bell, attach the leash, wait for her to ring it.  Walk outside to your potty area and stand there, not moving, until she eliminates.  THEN give a treat while praising her.  If she doesn't potty outside, bring her back inside to her crate for a half hour, then try again.

You will also need to limit her freedom in the house until she fully understands how to tell you she has to go out.  I like crates and exercise pens as management tools.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this procedure.  I'd love to hear how it turns out, so feel free to write back with progress reports.

Good luck!
Barb