Another potty training question

[Taz_Zoee]

Thanks you guys. I will take these ideas and keep them in mind.

Sophie, please do tell more about the post-it notes. I don't get it.

[Giselle]

Basically, to get the dog to hit something like a bell, you get the dog to hit a target. In other words, how to get the dog to hit the bell? Target.

Some folks choose to use the actual object as the target. So, from the beginning, they would attempt to train their dog to hit the bell. However, depending on what the actual object is (i.e. it could be a light switch, a door, etc.), that can get tricky.

That's why I like using Post-It notes. Once I train Ivy to hit the Post-It note, I can stick that Post-It note on ANYTHING, and Ivy generalizes the targetting behavior. I don't have to re-teach her to hit the door, the light switch, the bell as separate behaviors. She knows it all as targeting a Post-It note. Once she understands it, I quickly fade the Post-It note and voila! It significantly speeds up training if you do a lot of targetting. If not, you can just use the bell as the target. The video shows how quickly Ivy generalizes the behavior

[Taz_Zoee]

Thank you Sophie! I guess I should have watched the video before asking questions. But I was just checking in quickly last night. I've watched the video now and I'm going to show Bruce and see if this is something we can do with Taggart and maybe even Zoee too!

[scrain2329]

That video was really cool, the post it is a really good idea!

[k9krazee]

I would definitely not use puppy pads, especially at his size and age. I think that if you set up a routine and make sure he goes out on a regular basis he will eventually start to tell you he needs to go out.

I like to stand out with the dog as they're pottying and say "go potty" or "hurry up" because it's a lot easier when traveling or if you are in a hurry, they know when they have to potty and when they can play/sniff around. I usually reward them going potty with a game of fetch (with Kyra) or by getting really excited.

After awhile I'm sure you'll start noticing little things that he does when he has to go out. Like Sophie said, he'll eventually exaggerate the cues.

[Taz_Zoee]

I would definitely not use puppy pads, especially at his size and age. I think that if you set up a routine and make sure he goes out on a regular basis he will eventually start to tell you he needs to go out.

I like to stand out with the dog as they're pottying and say "go potty" or "hurry up" because it's a lot easier when traveling or if you are in a hurry, they know when they have to potty and when they can play/sniff around. I usually reward them going potty with a game of fetch (with Kyra) or by getting really excited.

After awhile I'm sure you'll start noticing little things that he does when he has to go out. Like Sophie said, he'll eventually exaggerate the cues.

Yes, I do go out with him to potty. And he will just sit there, so I walk around to get him to catch a scent or something. Like this morning it took about 5 minutes, which felt like 15 at 5am!
The other day he went really quickly on command. I think another problem is during the day Bruce lets them stay outside and play while he works. He checks on them often, and they come in several times too, but I think this may hinder our progress. There's nothing I can do about it either.
So I will just keep doing what I'm doing and I'm sure he will catch on. I was just curious if there was a specific way to teach him. I'm sure he will catch on, he seems like a very smart dog.