Training your dog to use a dog doorbell makes it easier for your dog to communicate when they need to go outside. “Dogs of all ages can learn to use a doorbell to go outside,” Steffi Trott, head trainer and founder at SpiritDog Training, told The Spruce Pets.

These bells or buttons are designed to be placed near a door, and you teach your dog to ring them when they need to go potty. With a few tries and lots of treats, most dogs will learn that ringing the bell means a human opens the door.

“Using a doorbell for your dog is a really great tool, but we should only be relying on it once the dog is fully potty trained and understands that pottying only happens outside.” With young dogs and dogs that are new to potty training, supervision is very important, Trott says. “This way, we can catch the early signs that they need to go potty.”

In our search for the best dog doorbells, we considered how they sound, materials, and ease of installation. Our favorite is Caldwell’s Potty Bells, which has a durable nylon strap, comes in eight colors, and easily attaches to either knobs or handles. It’s adjustable and features six bells. But there are alternatives to the pleasingly tactile jingle bells that may work even better in your home.

What to Look For in a Dog Doorbell

Dog’s Activation

Try to align the bell with an activation style your dog naturally uses. For example, some dogs are more likely to paw or to boop with their snout when they want to be petted. Depending on their build, one movement may come more naturally and that will help with training.

Installation

Many doorbells come on a strip of fabric or leather. There’s no installation involved; just slip the end loop or hook over the door handle. Others require sticking a button near the door with a remote receiver plugged into a nearby outlet.

Height

Make sure the bells hang at a height that is comfortable for your dog to reach. They should be able to nudge them with their nose—so hang them about nose height. If your dog prefers batting them or pawing at them, they can hang even lower. Some have adjustable straps.

Materials

Many hanging bells are attached to a nylon, ribbon, or leather strap. Others are buttons that are made of plastic. Some straps are more durable than others, which is particularly important if your dog is very excited or a chewer.

 “If you have a pup that tends to be a big tugger and chewer of toys, then having a more ‘boring’ doorbell might be a good idea to decrease the potential of the doorbell resembling a big tug toy,” Trott told The Spruce Pets. “In this case, a thin nylon cord might be less enticing for the dog.”

Sound

The bells need to be loud enough that you can hear them when your dog rings. It can help to have a few bells together because that creates a more noticeable sound. “However, if your dog is a bit noise-sensitive, using one with a single bell can be helpful to decrease the noise level,” Trott says.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets 

This article was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, who often reviews dog products for Spruce Pets. The proud mom of a rescue dog, she has fostered around 60 dogs and puppies. When potty training them, she often uses doorbells to help them communicate when they need to go outside. For more than 25 years, Mary Jo has covered a wide range of topics focused on nature, pets, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place.

For this roundup, we talked to dog owners, fosters, and trainers. We also read through hundreds of reviews to find the best dog doorbells. We evaluated them based on materials, height, installation, and the sound they make.

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

It’s well-known that dogs love to lick their favorite people, but did you know that some pets also enjoy nibbling their humans, too? Sometimes dogs will gently gnaw on their guardian’s hand, leg, clothing, or hair. This behavior is also known as “cobbing,” as it’s similar to how people eat corn kernels off a corncob.

It might seem odd, but nibbling isn’t usually cause for alarm. In most cases, nibbling mimics a natural grooming behavior between littermates and is common during playtime. A pet who does this is likely expressing affection or is self-soothing. Alternatively, nibbling can be a form of communication—your dog may be trying to get your attention.

To find out more about this behavior, we reached out to Dr. Gary Dattner, veterinarian, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and CVO of Tandem Vet Care. We also spoke with Nell Ostermeier, veterinarian and spokesperson for Figo Pet Insurance.

What It Means When Your Dog Nibbles You

Dogs nibble on people for a variety of reasons. The most common? To show affection and “groom” their humans, just like they would with another dog they feel close to. “Gentle nibbling is usually an expression of comfort and love, in a similar way to how dogs tend to rub up against one another in a pack to associate and bond,” explains Dr. Dattner.

While some dogs nibble to show contentment, it can also indicate negative emotions. “The dog may be trying to get your attention, the dog may be feeling super content and happy, or the dog may be anxious,” adds Dr. Ostermeier. To determine if a dog is nibbling from anxiety, look for body language signs like a tucked tail or wide eyes.

Cobbing may also be a sign that your dog is overstimulated and needs some space. “Other times, dogs will nibble their toys, blankets, or even their own bodies when they are self-soothing or keeping themselves busy,” notes Dr. Dattner.

And the simplest reason? “In some cases, it may be that the dog likes the salty flavor of your skin,” says Dr. Ostermeier.

Dogs Most Likely To Nibble

Although dogs of any breed or age can nibble, certain dogs are more inclined to this behavior, including teething puppies, social breeds, and stressed pups.

Teething puppies

Since puppies have a natural tendency to explore their world via their mouths, nibbling is a common behavior during this development stage. Teething puppies, in particular, are likely to gnaw on their humans to help relieve the pain from their sore gums. To prevent this behavior, redirect your pup to a long-lasting chew or a frozen toy.

Breeds prone to nibbling

“Naturally social breeds, such as Retrievers or Spaniels, are more likely to have a greater tendency towards cobbing your body or items closely associated with you,” says Dr. Dattner. These dogs were also bred to retrieve and carry hunting game and may still carry with them some mouthy instincts.

Herding dogs, such as Australian Shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs, were also bred to move sheep and cattle along by nipping their heels and may still exhibit this behavior on their humans.

Stress response

Dogs who are anxious or easily over-aroused may also nibble to relieve stress or tension. If you think this may be the reason for your dog’s nibbling, closely observe when the cobbing happens. Is it during a frightening event like a thunderstorm? Or is it when your pup is in a high-arousal state, like when playing tug?

Nibbling Vs Biting

There are two significant differences between nibbling and biting: the amount of pressure a dog uses and the intent behind the behavior.

“Understanding these subtle, or not-so-subtle, differences can help owners respond to and engage with their dogs positively,” says Dr. Dattner.

With nibbling, a dog applies little to no pressure and gently uses their front teeth to gnaw. It’s typically a calm behavior that doesn’t cause pain. A dog who is nibbling will also exhibit body language that’s relaxed or anxious, not aggressive.

Biting, on the other hand, usually involves more force on the dog’s part. They may use their back teeth to chomp down on a body part. The most common reason dogs bite is to warn another animal or person or to defend themselves from a real or imagined threat. Unlike nibbling, biting typically accompanies fearful or aggressive body language, such as growling, stiff posture, or pinning back the ears.

Nibbling is also different from mouthing, when a dog uses their teeth to touch or grasp, but without biting down hard. Mouthing is especially common in puppies as they learn about bite inhibition.

Should You Stop Nibbling Behavior?

According to our experts, if your pet’s nibbling isn’t excessive or painful, there isn’t any specific need to stop it. Plus, a teething puppy who nibbles may eventually grow out of it. However, if you don’t like the behavior or it’s closer to a bite than a nibble, it may be worth addressing.

According to Dr. Dattner, the best way to stop dog nibbling is to: 

• Redirect your dog’s attention to a chew toy or appropriate activity every time they nibble.
• Give them verbal praise after redirecting them away from nibbling you. “Each time your dog is nice and calm, praise them consistently, so they know what you are hoping for,” says Dr. Dattner.
• Teach your dog alternate behaviors, reinforce them with your dog’s favorite rewards, and attach a cue to them. “It will also be helpful to teach some basic commands, such as ‘leave it’ or ‘gentle,’ as these have the purpose of helping your dog control their mouths,” Dr. Dattner adds.
• Stay calm as you work on changing your dog’s behavior. Responding negatively or angrily could cause a dog to become more anxious and increase the nibbling behavior.

Dog nibbling doesn’t have to be a big deal, though. If it’s not a problem for you, then it’s not a problem, and you can keep on enjoying your dog’s nibbles of affection!