For Blazer I made sure that I was always taking him out the same door (not that that was difficult, we have one main door upstairs and one downstairs) and he was already going to the door when he had to go out. When I decorated for Christmas I hung some bells off of the door handle and Blazer started ringing them when he wanted to go out. Not only when HE wanted out, mind you, but when Buddy, our GSP wanted out, too! I didn't really have to train Blazer to hit them, I decorated then brought him out and they jangled when I opened the door. He looked at them and the next time he wanted out he knocked them with his paw. Dang, these are smart dogs! LOL! Anyway, door hanging bells are great- take the dog out and say his trigger word, "Potty" (or whatever you use) while you hit the bells. It won't take long to associate the bells with potty. A door hanger is nice because you can take it with you anywhere.
__________________ Amanda  |