Mighty Paw Smart Bell 2.0 Wireless Dog Doorbell

A wireless doorbell for dogs: your dog presses a button by the door and a plug-in receiver chimes inside the house.

Who it suits

Dogs that learn to press a target, homes where a hanging bell would swing every time the door opens, and owners who want to hear the bell in another room.

Key facts

• The transmitter needs no batteries and the receiver plugs into a standard 110v outlet (Mighty Paw)
• Rings with 0.75 lb of pressure from a nose or paw (Mighty Paw)
• Four volume settings and 38 ringtones (Mighty Paw)
• Mounts with included 3M adhesive, no screws or tools needed (Mighty Paw)
• Water resistant for indoor or outdoor use, with a range up to 1,000 feet, and sold with one or two transmitters (Mighty Paw)

What reviewers say

Canine Journal: Canine Journal’s Chelsie bought over 15 dog doorbells and tested them with her own and neighbours’ dogs (September 2023), and named this the best wireless pick. She found the medium volume worked best in the homes they tested, the button survived heavy rain and sun outside, and even her 8 inch Chihuahua could press it, though it took some effort. She suggests mounting it slightly higher than your dog’s nose. Her only complaint was the white colour, which shows marks.

Whole Dog Journal: Trainer Lauren Novack picked it for Whole Dog Journal’s Gear of the Year (November 2023). Her Beagle learned to press the button in five repetitions, and she took her straight out to her potty spot each time.

ThatMutt: Lindsay Stordahl used it with her Weimaraner and Lab mix (the post runs a reader giveaway). The sound surprised her dogs at first, and one dog started pressing it too often until she changed how she rewarded him. She would like an even quieter low setting and shorter ringtones, says the adhesive could pull paint off, and would not use it for a young puppy still learning to go outside.

We did not test it ourselves.

Pros

• No batteries in the button, per the maker
• Volume and ringtone can be changed
• Survived outdoor weather in Canine Journal’s test

Cons

• White button shows marks, per Canine Journal
• Adhesive could pull paint off, per ThatMutt
• Ringtones are long and the sound can startle dogs at first, per ThatMutt

Good to know

• Only open the door for potty trips at first, so the button does not turn into a way to ask for play. VCA warns some dogs ring the bell just for a chance to play in the yard (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/house-training-your-puppy).
• Let your dog sniff the button and hear the chime at low volume before you start, so it does not scare them.
• If your house trained dog starts having accidents, see your vet, as VCA advises (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/house-training-your-puppy).