We Created a Monster...

[Phoebe's Mom]

but a very beautiful one! Phoebe started scratching/jumping on the window to tell us she needed to go out which we thought was a wonderful thing especially since she never showed us any type of sign before. Long story short, we started taking her out when she scratched and she always did what she needed to do but now it seems to have become a game. Sometimes she does and sometimes she doesn't! Truth be told, we cannot figure out when it is real and when she just wants to be outside and the few times we refused (like if she had been out just two hours prior), we were wrong and I had a mess to deal with inside. How do I help to train her to lengthen that period of time without putting her in the crate (we have such a fabulous time together during the day that I cannot imagine being inside with her and having her crated for hours)? I know that she 'should' be able to stay much longer than two hours without having to be taken out as she is now 9 months old--she is not a huge drinker either plus I know that she does not have a UTI (for once YAY!). Any advice would be most appreciated as always.

[Adina P]

That's a tough one. Honestly we have a similar problem with our doodles (though not with the accident part). They OFTEN ring to just play, explore the yard, see which tenant just walked in, etc. I tend to let them out every time...OR if not then I call them to me and have them lie down within my sight. You could always tether her to you when you're POSITIVE she doesn't need to go potty or work on down stay nearby. But although dogs CAN usually hold it for hours...sometimes they just have to go and if its been 2 whole hours I'd indulge them.

[GBK]

Yes this is tough and we have the same problem with Kona. She scratches to go out, but sometimes it is just to relax outside in the cool evening air. If she didn't bark when she heard the far away doggie calling in the middle of the night I would never lock them in at night, but alas she feels the urge to answer her neighborhood friends no matter the time of night :)
Now last night was a little breakthrough. She scratched after an hour or so of having gone potty, and I asked her if she had to go potty, usually when she does she runs back to me and stares at me close up. Last night she came back to me and curled up and went to sleep?!?!? Guess I will see how this goes, if she is insistant with me when I call her I will let her out, otherwise hopefully she will be honest with me and give it up if she really does not have to potty. We will see...
They can go in and out in the day as we have a dog door, so can't help too much with the daytime outings.

[Sandy]

Same thing with Toby. He doesn't really tell me when he has to go out, he just stares out the door. BUT....if I ask him if he has to go potty, and he doesn't, he walks away from the door.

[s a r a h&h a r p e r]

we are having this same exact issue with Harper. We actually used the bell approach, and hung a little cowbell by the door. It worked great, and Harper was accident free by 10 weeks...however she also realized that every time the bell rang, she could go outside! Needless to say, after 15 potty trips in a 2 hour span...we weren't sure what to do! We also dealt with the refusal and cleaning up of accidents when we were sure she didn't need to go out. It also got to the point where she would ring her bell so aggressively that she actually tore the bell off the wall...drywall and all!!!

Our trainer told us to start watching her more closely and to monitor her behavior. We noticed that she would pace when she actually HAD to go out, and would bounce when she just WANTED to go out...we still have problems in the morning determining what she really wants, but we've eliminated most of the problem! Good luck...it was definitely a hair-puller! :)

[Phoebe's Mom]

I think this is great advice. I will start to pay attention to her actions prior to going to see if there is a difference between when she wants to versus when she needs to. It is not that I mind taking her out necessarily, but I do sometimes have other things to contend with inside the house and this running outside all the time is making me nuts! I also worry that indulging her all the time will not be good for other behavioral training plus I worry that I will 'train' her to go more frequently making crating her for a longer period an issue. Boy, so much to think about!

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Kaela taught herself to bark to be let out (she is so smart - shameless proud momma brag- sorry) Anyways I never refuse her. I figure I dont want to confuse the issue so I let her out every time she stands at the door and barks. Somethimes she just wants to play or be outside and doesnt want to bathroom. But thats OK with me.

[Mommy2Max]

I had this problem for awhile. I put him in the crate if he rang the bells and didn't go potty because it was becoming an every 15 minute thing. - LOL

Eventually, I started asking after he rang the bells, "Do you need to go potty?" and he would bark for yes or just lay down if no. He is an honest dog because it has worked. He no longer rings the bell for the fun of it. It also helped to bring him to daycare and have him burn off extra energy.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

LOL. I love this: "He is an honest dog because it has worked. He no longer rings the bell for the fun of it.
"

[Mommy2Max]

Haha - scary isn't it?

[Karen & Lucy]

Lucy does this alllllll the time. She goes out, pees, poops then comes in. Gets a drink, eats a little, then out again. Comes in meanders around for awhile then wants out again. Mostly it is not to pee/poop, it is because she is nosey and just wants to see if a squirrel, bunny, deer, raccoon, bear, or what have you has crossed one of her many paths in the yard. I am just a glutten for punishment. She is sooooo spoiled :-)

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Have you tried taking her out for potty on a leash? If she asks, take her on a leash (no play time). We often still take him out on a leash becaues he will get distracted and/or just want to play :)