An interview with Heather, the creator of TinkleBellz Puppy
Housebreaking Bells (aka: Simon's Mommy!)

"TinkleBellz are a housebreaking aid based on Ivan Pavlov's theory of conditioned response.
Your puppy will learn that ringing the bells to go make will ultimately result in his being given
a treat. Didn't that sound brainy? Actually, though my product is, indeed, based upon that theory, I really created the bells because I was tired of.....
...my dogs barking at me for umpteen reasons, including if they had to make - but how did I really know if that's what they wanted??
...not being able to hear if they were whining or scratching at the door because I was in the next room or upstairs.
...finding accidents by the door - and guess what!? It was MY fault because I couldn't hear
my dogs' urgent requests. They wanted to do the right thing, but they just didn't have the perfect way of letting me know!

Then one day, (nine years ago, to be precise) I had an epiphany; what about hanging a rope
of bells from the door and teaching the dogs to paw at it when they had to make? My first prototype was an old leash that I stitched some cat toys (the little plastic balls with bells inside) onto! Aesthetically pleasing, it was not! My design, now patented, has evolved over the past nine years - and now I believe I have perfected it in the areas of both form and function. This is why I have finally decided to bring my product to the masses, instead of just giving the bells to family and friends and selling them in local shops."
 

How long will it take to train my puppy?

"Every puppy learns at their own pace. Bell training requires the three "p's" (or, "pees", if you must!) Patience, Praise and Perseverance. Some puppies, such as Simon my beloved and clever Cockapoo, take only a few days to catch on. However, other pups may take several weeks to master this skill. Housebreaking is a process, and your pup truly wants to understand and please you, but it doesn't happen overnight even with the most highly intelligent of breeds (which I know yours must be, since everyone is always certain theirs is Einstein reincarnated as a puppy!). Additionally, training more than one pup at once isn't as difficult as you might think. Dogs are pack animals and they learn from one another and mimic each other's behavior. If Spot sees Rover ringing the bells, going out to make, then receiving a treat, chances are it will click in his puppy mind: "Hey! If I do that, I'll get a treat, too!"


Can I TinkleBellz train my adult dog?

"Of course! The saying about "can't teach an old dog new tricks" is completely untrue! Just as humans can continue to learn and develop new skills throughout their adulthood and senior years, so can dogs. In fact, it's good for their mental health to always try to teach them something new. Even if they're already housebroken, you can still teach them to ring the bells."


What do professional trainers think of TinkleBellz?

"Actually, bell training is highly recommended by professional dog trainers and veterinarians, as well. In fact, they're some of my best customers. TinkleBellz gives your dog a positive form of communicating his/her needs to you, and this will result in smoother and less stressful housebreaking for both puppy and owner. Bell training has a nearly 100% success rate!"