Advice please....

[Shannon Hott]

I have two doodles. Ellie Mae is 13 months and Gilligan is 17 weeks. I got Ellie Mae at 8 weeks and Gilligan at 15 weeks. I work from home (daycare) and both of the dogs LOVE LOVE LOVE being outside. I tend to leave them outside while I am working. The kids and I go out several times a day and we play fetch with the dogs and the kids play with them. My question is this: am I hurting Gilligans potty training by letting him stay outside so much? I am trying to bell train him but on a work day he typically goes out about 3 times with me making him ring the bells. He hasn't had any accidents at night and can hold it at night for about 10 hours.

Ellie Mae never took to the bells. I had her tethered to me at all times and if I couldn't pay attention she was outside in large play area or in her kennel. She was a winter puppy and wasn't outside as much at GIlligan's age.  I don't want to make Gilligans potty training harder. On the other hand he is outside and going potty where he should be going. Looking for other opinions....

THANKS! 

[Kris and Sawyer]

No advice for you, but what cutie patooties! I'd probably make sure he spends time inside when I'm not working...

[Shannon Hott]

Ahhhh thank you. I do love them. Both come inside for several hours when I'm not working and obviously at night.

[Kelly & Zoe]

I'm no expert - but we have a large backyard and had our puppy out quite often from the time she was 10 weeks (she was a summer pup too).  She's almost 6 months now and she can come and go via dog door and loves being outside.  At first I, too, was worried that going outside was being equated to 'happy fun time' and not potty.  At night when she was young it was outside, potty, right back in.  We did not train with bells, just a sit next to the door to alert us before we had the dog door - or if i was working she'd bark at me and I knew to take her out.  I'm happy to report that she was potty trained by week 12, and we've had no accidents at all since week 16.  I don't think having the dogs outside will impede their training, so I wouldn't worry.  Sounds like Gilligan's already trained!  Let them enjoy the outdoors!

[Shannon Hott]

Thank you!