help and re-assurance please! Bonnie (nearly 4 months) is slowly getting the idea that to wee outside is a good thing cos she gets lots of fuss and a nice treat. Will probably sound a bit stupid to all you experienced dog owners but I've forgotten how it progresses!!! how do we now move on to her being able to tell me she wants to go out? At the moment the situation is that I pace around outside with her for ages in the cold/rain, every time I remember (possibly every 1hr ish in the day) and sometimes obviously she performs and gets the appropriate reward and other times she just messes around catching falling leaves and eating worms etc. So we come in--- then I will turn my back for a minute and yes--- she's gone to the back door and done it on the floor in a second. I can't possibly stay out all the time in the hope that we catch the big event and it is a bit unpredictable-- she doesn't particularly conform to- on waking, after meals etc. By the way she can now hold it all night from approx 11 pm till 7am ish and she is not crated. Just wondering how we now get her to hold on until she goes outside in the daytime because she is obviously capable of it cos she can do it at night. And more often than not when she does wee inside it is by the back door so I assume we are nearly there--- please don't tell me though that I need to be more observant cos don't think I can do anymore-- I already spend 10 times more time with her than with my OH or teenage boys!!! Is it just a matter of time?

Yes you are ding well but you have to learn when Bonny is telling you she needs out I have the same problem with Cindyloo and most times if she has an accident indoors in hindsight I can see that it was my fault  for not reading her behaviour if she goes into the backroom while we are sitting in the living room that is a sign that she needs out as is running in circles in a manic fashion

Sounds to me like she is telling you. If she is weeing by the back door, that means she was there and waiting to go outside.  My two just sit at the back door, and occassionally paw at it to get my attention. 

I know how hard it is to be that observant and watch her every move, but it is worth it.  My two (just 6 months) now come and get my attention if I'm not looking.  It was a natural progression form sitting by the back door.

Try watching her and seeing what she does at the back door.  If she sits and waits, she is asking to go out.  If she performs outside after that, make a huge huge fuss of her. (I sound ridiculous out in my back garden praising my two!)  If she simply sniffs around, then goes, you might need to de-odourise the place so she can't smell previous accidents.  Praise and observation are the way forward I think.  Also, lots of intent sniffing ususally indicates the need to go, along with cindyloos circles!  They tend to get very focussed when they need the loo, so watch out for that.

If all else fails, try putting a little bell or something on the door at nose height.  Show her how it works by touching it, then opening the door.  She'll get the picture eventually.

Good luck!

Tansy never makes any kind of fuss when she wants to go out. She just wanders out to the back door and waits quietly. She is 13 months now, but she has never been obvious about it. Luckily, she will now do 'peepees' on command, which is handy at bedtime.:rolleyes: When I want her to go, I use a VERY excited voice, and she leaps up and runs outside as though it were a great adventure lol. Persevere, and I am sure she will learn in the end, or at least you will be able to read her signals :-) ;-)

Oh yeah, thats a good thing to train.  Mine go to "Be Quick".  Its ace when it raining!

And we use the word "busy" - he will always manage to produce something even if it is the minutest drop as he knows that he stands a good chance of getting a treat for performing.

I do think it's important to use a "perform" word or expression followed by massive praise when you get a performance. I've never been a believer in standing outside for ages either since either a dog wants to go or it doesn't and hanging around in the garden probably just sends a message that sometimes you go outside and hang around in the garden! If the dog then does have a wee or a poo that's probably incidental rather than being seen as a direct consequence of being taken outside. Hence the usefulness of a performing command which tells the dog that there's a purpose to this expedition!

Thanks for all your useful suggestions, Think the bell on the door might be a good party trick!!! - she is really keen and quick to learn at the moment so that would be great if she managed it. She goes to the utility room door which is just off the kitchen and cos we have a central island in the kitchen, even though I am there with her I can't always see her and thats when I miss the big event!.I have been doing the command 'be quick' but am I supposed to repeat that over and over until she goes or just when she's doing it , followed by loads of praise etc?(sorry to be so thick) I get the feeling the neighbours think I'm hurrying the poor girl just so I can get back in to watch eastenders! (not really-- they have a 9 month labradoodle who causes them lots of grief!)
Actually she is getting better, but now the weather is getting colder I'm a bit fed up of having the door open or having to keep going outside for her to have a sniff then run back in with some poor worm or spider wriggling around in her mouth---all part of the fun of a puppy i guess! LOL

when you first train her the "be quick" command, only use it when she is actually going and praise her at the same time, then treat and fuss her excessively after the event. I tend to say "Be quick, good boy/girl, Be quick, good boy/girl" whilst they are actually going (you get the picture!). She must learn to associate the command with the action.  She wont understand otherwise, and you'll waste your time.  it takes a bit of perserverence, but after a couple of weeks, my two got it and now know what I'm talking about when I stand there excitedly saying "be quick"! Although I do sound like a mad person!

Works a treat though and seeing as the cold weather is setting in, it may become very useful!  I'm sure your neighbours know exactly what you are going through, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Like I said before, my two paw at the door, but I've heard the bell works well for others.  Can't hurt to try!

Let us know how you get on!