[yorkietalkjilly]

Usually, if they have any warning, younger puppies do sniff the floor and begin to run about urgently sniffing. Very young puppies usually sniff and run and then squat so quickly you don't have enough time to get to them before the toilet and that is why we keep them on papers/pads, etc., until they develop more control. Other times they just squat with no anticipatory activity so the best thing you can do is anticipate yourself and get your baby to the spot just ahead of the urge and keep him there until he does his potty business. Read the training literature for all the times when you should expect toileting(after naps, meals, playing, confinement, etc.) and then begin to watch what it is your dog does just before he toilets. Whatever he does right before going is his "tell" and after watching his behavior for half a day, you will pick up on what he does say the last 10 - 20 minutes before that "tell" point. That is really your key when a puppy is very young - what activity is it that will eventually lead to the need to toilet and how much time usually elapses before the onset of that activity and his "tell". Try to anticipate his need and take him out/put him on his potty pad just prior to his "tell" while he is still very puppish. Eventually, he will have more control and you can wait until you see the "tell" to take him out or to his potty spot. As he grows older, his way to tell you will usually change and they often stop the urgent sniffing and dogs will either often start to spin in circles; go the the door that leads outside; start to paw at the potty pad; try to get and hold your attention with a long, sober look; bark and act excited for no other known reason, etc., etc. Dogs can develop a variety of ways to "tell" you they need to go so learn his body language as quickly as you can and you will begin to anticipate when it is "time" and whatever activity he does that is a little different after that is usually his way of "telling" you he needs to go potty. Give him lots of praise after his "good potty" and never punish for a "mistake".