Hi Ktreva52- Well, my dog Scout is going to graduate from obedience school next Sunday. It has really helped BOTH of us. I am thinking about taking intermediate classes after this. However, something happened when we arrived home today: I took her out right away and played a long session of ball. She went potty during this time. About 20-30 minutes AFTER we came back indoors, she wanders into the living room ands potties again! To be fair, she had been kinda at the door whining to go back out, and I ignored it because she does this all the time, and it always ends up meaning that she sees a squirrel to chase, or she expects to play ball again. She NEVER just goes out and potties. Even in the morning, when she should have to go real bad, she won't go until we start playing ball with her first. I have tried to take her out there, on her leash to her 'spot', and she just gets all excited and jumps around expecting ball. If I stay there long enough, she will settle down, but still not go- just stand there. I have tried saying 'go potty', either that or not looking at her, but nothing........When she went on the rug tonight, I actually caught her in the act for the first time. I (kinda) yelled 'NO! Bad dog!' and then toke her outside to her spot, hoping she would get the idea. When I brought her back indoors, I put her in a down-stay for quite awhile, maybe 30 minutes or so. I did not pay any attention to her during that time. She hates that too, because she is VERY attentive and likes to follow me around. I don't know if I did the right thing or not. I just kind of reacted. She has been much better since dog obedience, but this one area is still a problem. My question is (I hope you did not already cover this): Any suggestions on getting her to potty when I tell her to? I mean assuming she has to go. Or letting me know when she needs to go, and not just that she wants to play or chase something? Would it be better to take her out on her leash, or just let her go on her own? If I take her, how long should I stand there WAITING for her to go? Should I say anything, or just ignore her when she starts jumping around, expecting to play ball? I get the feeling that she is just trying to get 'her way' when she does this. Like she is thinking 'if I jump around & look cute, she will give-in and play with me'......and I have, I admit. I mean, I have to give her a lot of exercise, because she is high-energy. But I swear, she would let me stand there forever I think and not go until I play ball with her. In this area, I think she is winning............probably my fault too.