Ricky has never given me what I thought was the typical signal that he wanted to go out. He has never scratched on the back door or anything else. He has twice woke me up at night, licking my face over and over again and I immediately put on my robe and took him out, both times he had diarrhea. He has never had an accident in the house or our motorhome but I watch for "his signals" Just like when our children were toddlers and no one understood their baby talk but us, dogs seem to communicate their needs differently. What I do with Ricky no matter what is I take him out first thing in the morning, no sleeping late etc. until he gets to go out. I feel that if the humans have to go when they get up, it is only reasonable to think he has to also. I always take him out when I get home from work and again he gets a "potty break" just before we go to bed. Until you can figure out Kira's signals and maybe even after, get a set routine and stick to it. Believe me, it really helps.
MH Mama