I've read a ton of potty training threads on here, read How to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days, and went from pee pad/indoor potty training to strictly outdoor training about two months ago.
Brody is six months old now and 6.5 pounds. He is crate trained, he goes in there when we are not home, when we can't keep an eye on him, and overnight.
I take him outside the minute he comes out of his crate and every few hours during the day. (I'm not on a rigid schedule, but maybe I should be.) I'm teaching him to ring the bell on the door to go out.
He has good days and bad. He can go maybe three days without an accident, but then will just pee wherever he wants like he has no clue.
So I can never tell if he is "getting the concept" or if I'm just catching him before he has to go on the good days.
We've had the bell for three days now, yesterday he rang it and when I looked over he was sitting by the door, I let him out and he went potty!! He got a treat and lots of praise!!
Anyway, I have two specific questions.
1. At night in his crate, for his age and size, how long should I be able to leave him without an accident? Also, it seems that when he has his fleece dog bed he is fine, but if we put a towel or blanket in there for him (he likes to dig under them) he will pee on them without fail or reason (not being left too long, etc.). Why is this and will he overcome it or will he have to go without blankets forever? Also, I do not like the thought of him getting up on my bed or on to my daughter's throw blankets and peeing and I may not even realize. Ewwww.
2. At what age do they usually "get it"? I would like him to understand that he is NOT to go in the house, at all. Not just that he goes outside most of the time. I know they are smart dogs, and Brody is not stubborn as I've read some YTs can be. So I think he'd be able to understand the concept and I'm hoping it will be soon.