How To Train Your Cat To Use The Door Bell

Are you tired of hearing your cat meowing up a storm or scratching up the door trying to get in? There is one simple solution to this problem. That is to train your cat to use the door bell—not the human door bell but a DIY cat door bell. This training aid will help to train your cat to alert you when she’s ready to come in.

D0-It-Yourself Cat Door Bell

Materials:

• Bell: Bells come in a variety of sizes. A small one, size of a meatball, would be the prefect for most cats. Bells are very inexpensive and can be found and purchased in many craft and DIY stores.
• String: Almost any string, yarn, ribbon will do. The length of the string or yarn should be long enough for your cat to reach the bell without having to jump at it or use the door for support.
• Catnip: Catnip is not essential but good to have for beginning training. Get catnip in a spray and spray a small amount of it on the string or bell. Cats love catnip and this will attract them to play with the bell.

Method:

• Tie the string or yarn to the bell.
• On the other end of the string, tie it to the door knob and let it hangs down.
• Make sure the length is reachable for your cat.

Steps to Train your Cat to Use the Door Bell

1. Bring your cat outside, facing the main door.
2. Encourage your cat to ring the bell, once. Reward her with treat.
3. After she rings the bell, open the door for her to go in. Reward her again.
4. If she refuses to move, carry her in. And then reward her.

Repeat step one to three for three more times until your cat gets the message. Reinforce this behavior for 3 or 4 more days until your cat can do it without prompting. Make sure to keep the training short.