House training has seemed slow since I decided to do away with puppy pads, but steady process has been made. I live in Southeast Texas, so mosquitoes have been my worst enemy during late night potty trips.

At first I thought the bell I bought for the door was a joke. I rang it every time we went outside, but she didn't really take any notice. Today, while making spaghetti, Ripley was pacing back and forth in front of the door. I knew she wanted to watch the neighbor kids play Frisbee. So I said "Ripley want to go outside? Ring the bell". Then I rang the bell and went back to stirring the sauce. After about 3 times doing this, she barked at me and rang the bell herself!

It may have not been a potty trip she was after, but I am so pleased! She's getting the hang of this after all! Looking forward to not mopping every other day.

This was no accident by the way. I definitely saw that little light bulb come on!

awwww...good for little Ripley (what a sweetie!). It's just a matter of patience before they eventually learn the ropes. I'm always cautious when mentioning Layla housetraining as I hate to push my luck. I have no idea what is considered the age one can consider them housetrained - but I am happy that Layla seems to finally be there. She doesn't ring a bell but does the mad prancing back and forth and because we are always vigilant (or just plain lucky), she hasn't had an accident in a while. Ripley is still very young and just when you think you're over the hurdle, life throws you some left curves. Hang in there and don't store away the mop just yet.

So glad the bell is working out for you!! It is one of the best training tools I've come across!!

How exciting! I'm sure that little light bulb will keep burning brighter and brighter each day!

I am impressed! Good for you! Good for Ripley! I wish little Demps was housetrained. When I brought him home he was tested. I took Demps to the vet last summer again. He pushed on his little bladder (or somewhere) and he peed. The doc says that is not supposed to happen. He gave me some pills that may have helped, but Demps didn't act like himself on them. I didn't even keep him on them for a week - it just wasn't worth it. So I guess, peepee pads is the answer. I really like the bell idea - how cute is that? Smart little fart.

Congratulations, Ripley! Isn't it great when that light bulb goes on?

well it is far from perfect. she's had an accident since then, but there is progress, and really, what more can you ask for at this stage?

I just recently got a bell for Max since he never tells us if/ when he wants or needs to go out. He usually paces and runs back and forth from the door. I'm not always in the room with him. I need to get more consistant on using it and making the kids use it also when they put him outside that way he knows what it's for. Max is 10 and a half months old and if you're not watching, he will on occasion have an accident but it's not normal. Now if I could get him to stop having the happy pee in his kennel or by the front door in the morning's, I'd be happy.

You are well on your way to potty training Ripley. She is still young and may have some accidents but you are getting closer. Keep up the good work!

Excellent Ripley! And Ripley's mom too! Practice makes perfect. I think I will give the bell a try. Luigi is just entering his 8th month and accidents are rare-- due to the fact that he's getting older and we're still vigilent. But the door we always use isn't always in my view and the bell would certainly alert me when he wants to go outside. He slept until 8 in the morning day before yesterday.... now that was a good night's sleep (and morning too). I guess I should say that was good bladder control. I am going to look on line for a bell right now.

A comment to all of you who's dogs are about a year and worried that they just pace when they need to go out - at about 15 months (all of a sudden) Pegi added whining to the pacing. That got our attention - so now if we aren't in the room we still hear the whine and get her out.

And she had her last accident a year ago - when she was 7 months. All of you are well on your way!!!

Scruffy used to pace up and down and we had to be vigilant. When he got to 10 months old he started to pound on the glass on the door with his front paws, you can hear him wherever you are in the house now.