Hi! We went through house training with our puppy last summer and what really helped us was to keep a pad of paper next to the door and we would write down the time that we had taken him out and go "number". (i.e. 6PM #2) This made it much easier for us to take him out BEFORE he needed to go rather than waiting for him to "give us a sign" at which point it was sometimes too late. Anyhow, I'm not sure how young your dog is but if it is simply a matter of "I can't hold it any longer!", and you have a pretty good idea of how long he really can phsically hold it, this may help to keep him on schedule... Good luck!! I've attached a puppy picture of Otis - luckily they're cute enough that you can't stay mad over a soiled carpet!!