[Florida Sun]

it needs to go outside to go potty? My puppy has learned to sit by the door when she needs to go outside. But if I'm in another part of the house and don't see her she has an accident on the rug by the door.

[Megs]

you need to teach her to come find you to let you know, or have something by the door she can make noise with. I've always had the dog come find me whenever they need something. it's amazing; they'll even do different "dances" depending on what they want, whether it's outside, or food, or water, or just some cuddles!if you treat the mess by the door like it's a problem, then that'll help her figure out that what she's doing isn't good enough. but you have to also pay close attention to the signals she's giving you when she's in the room with you - most dogs I've had anything to do with will be dancing around their people before they go to the door, trying to get you to follow them.

[asmo9]

That's a good start. Puppies are almost always gonna have some accidents.If she's figured it out that much in such a short time, you will probably have a really easy time from here on out.Mine runs up to anyone who's around, then stretches. That's his signal that he needs to go out. Haven't had an accident in years now.

[Harry_Cox]

We have a bell on the door that the dogs ring when they want to go out.Make sure it hangs down far enough so she can reach it.Show her how to ring it, she may be scared of it at first, but she'll get used to it. Make sure you ring it whenever she goes out, so she starts associating the ringing with going out. Soon she will be ringing it herself to let you know she wants out.

[Mom to Foster Children]

One of mines whines The other one will come and find meThe last one goes outside everytime I walk remotely close to the back door! He just loves to be outside!Put a bell on your door hung by a string...it doesn't take long for them to learn. You could also put on on the outside so they can let you know when they are ready to come in! My friends dogs do it this way!

[lookingforafarm]

We trained out dog to ring the bell! Hang a cow bell from a string to the door knob, low enough that the pup can reach it with its nose. (always use the same door for going out) At first the pup will have no idea what you are doing, but when you see him/her waiting at the door to go out, walk over and ring the bell, then let it out, just like usual. Do this every single time the pup goes out the door. It won't be long before it connects the ringing bell, with you coming over and opening the door to let it out. When it catches on to the ringing of the bell when it needs out, remember to give lots of praise for doing the right thing... ringing the bell to go out to pee! I got proof that it works! I have a dog right now sitting at the door ringing the bell... gotta go!

[Caribbean Bell]

I've never formally trained my dog. But, somehow throughout the years, she's figured out that if she goes by our door and bark, we'd let her out to do her business.