Potty in the basement?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Our doodle is 9 mths tomorrow and is doing excellent with potty training upstairs in the main part of our house. We trained him with the bells and while we no longer use them (one day he decided to tear it apart :)) he sits by the door or act zoomie and we know it's time to go out. However in our finished basement, he's had 3 accidents in the past 3 weeks - both #1 and #2...HELP!! Anyone else experience this? We think he's confused because he doesnt see the sliding glass door to tell sit by and let us know he has to go out, but we're not sure how to solve this. Any pointers?!?

[shelly]

Have you tried to hang another set of bells downstairs by the door? Since he does have past experience with what they mean ~ Start again by ringing them when you take him out through the downstairs door. Tori is 2 (today) and still uses the bells. We actually have a very sturdy row of Christmas bells that we use. I'm NO expert, but just a thought.... God luck!

[Pat & "Tucker"]

I agree with Shelly- if you have a door in the basement-get him use to the downstairs door. I would make sure he goes outs before he goes down to the basement and be sure to use a good stain / odor remover on the floor or carpet.
Maybe you could use bells and have him ring the bells and take him up and out if no door? Trying to think form every angle.
Good luck.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When he's in the basement is the door open so he can go upstairs? It's really the same story with us when we're all upstairs with our dogs. Our den is upstairs and that is where the computers are, so we spend quite a bit of time there. When the dogs have to go potty, they run downstairs and go to the door so that we know they need to go out. I'm thinking if you keep the basement door open it should work the same way.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I agree with--Get New Bells! That is what your dog knows. Spud also tore up a set of bells around 9 months. I just went to the craft store and bought a bag of bells for $3.99 and made three sets of new bells to hang. He leaves them alone now. Just a phase.

[Natasha]

Treat him in the basement!

We learned this from our trainer. Dogs will not go where they eat. So, get some really great chicken breast and put a piece in each corner of the room and a few pieces in the center. If it's a large rom, place some treats in other areas as well (don't forget where he has gone before). Take your dog down there and say "seek - go get the chicken."

Do this three times in one week. Then, periodically do some training sessions down there each week.

We've never had another accident in the house since doing this.