I just wanted to share with everyone a potty training method my mom always used with our dogs and what I still do today witth my own. I know that there are lots of young dogs in the group and you may want try this. We hang sleigh bells at the back door/slider and start by picking up their paws to ringing the bells then openthe door and toss a treat to the outside with lots of praise. Once they start to understand, toss a favorite toy or treat out the door and wait for the bell ring to open the door. It has never taken any dog long to learn this but there is often a novelty stage where they do it constantly and you need to respond everytime. The great thing about this is that you don't always notice the silent signals dogs give that they need to go but a sleigh bell you will hear. This is an alternative to a doggy door that still give pups independent access to the yard.
