So Hollie (11 week old puppy) knows she needs to go outside to pee and poo, but the problem is that when we're inside and the doors are closed, she just goes to sit in front of the door. She doesn't make a noise, just sit there. If we're in the same room as her (front room), it's fine,we can see her and we'll let her out, but when we're in the front of the house and she goes to the back, we just can't see her. And she's not very patient, if you don't show up within a few seconds, she'll just pee right there. How can I teach her to make a sound, scratch the door, let out a little yelp or bark? 

I know training a puppy takes time and patience, but we just can't follow her around everywhere she goes all the time. She's starting training next week, so hopefully they'll teach her stuff there, in the meantime, any advice would be appreciated.

By the way, she only does it when she needs to pee, if she needs to poo, she lets us know, sits by the door and makes a noise, gets super restless and just goes sniffing everywhere in the house. 

I wish I could help, my dogs don't really make noise either, I just notice their missing.  They are older though and will wait for awhile if they have too.  My one older dog will come and start jumping on me and whining if I dont notice.

What about if you hang a bell by the doors?  I know of people that have trained their dogs to ring the bell when they have to go out.

I was going to say the same thing - a bell! I know quite a few people who use this method. My dog sits there for the longest time and if we don't pay attention, she will paw at the door. But she's almost a year and a half now - when she was really little, we never let her out of our site. When they are that young, their bladdars just can't hold the pee!

Ditto the bell. We had one up and she would go paw at it so it would make a noise.

Do you give her a treat after she does her business?  We did that with Murphy - not sure if that is why he tells us when he has to go or not?  We also were up his butt when he was a puppy...kinda a pain but so worth it!  Oscar never tells us when he has to go, so that was a joy when he was a puppy!  He now kinda will sit and stare at us but no barking or whining like Murphy does.  Ha, it's funny Murphy will tell us when Oscar has to pee. 

Potty training a puppy is not fun but it's so worth it :)

I know people who have success with bells!  I know a lady though, and her dog likes to eat things so when he ate the bell she didn't replace it.

Our dog doesn't make noises, but sometimes she'll scratch at the door.  Just remember that as time goes on her bladder will grow and she won't have these accidents.  Dogs also don't like making a mess in their home, so I don't think your dog is happy she can't hold her bladder for very long right now.

Ditto the treats!  When we trained out dog we always rewarded her business with tons of praise & treats.

We also learned that immediately after our puppy had a drink or ate she'd have to go to the bathroom in 10seconds - 2 minutes.  After we'd see her eat or drink we'd rush her to her potty spot in the yard, OR keep an eye so that as soon as she approached the back door we'd open it for her to go to her potty spot.  Like Amy, we rarely let our dog out of our sight, and it's work at this stage, but it does get better :)

Thank you. 

I've just been keeping a close eye on her since writing this post, and no more accidents so far. 

I give her lots of praise when she goes outside and yesterday, when she seemed like she didn't have to go when I made her go before we went to bed, all I said was: "come on Hollie, be a good girl" and she squatted. So she knows. It's just a matter of time before her bladder becomes strong enough. 

I use a bell and recommend it to my clients that are potty training.  I would get a cow-bell type of bell - I can hear it both upstairs and in the basement so I know when one of mine needs/wants to go out (one is 11 and the other is 3 and we still use it because its been so effective!).  To begin with, hang it where she can reach it and YOU ring it every time before you open the door - even if you are just going out to play, or taking her with you when you rake leaves or whatever.  She will start to associate the bell with the door opening.  If she rings it by accident because she bumps it, tell her "Good Girl!" and take her outside, even if she doesn't need to potty.  She will learn that if she makes the bell ring the door will open.  Believe me, if she's already going to the door on her own, then this won't take long and you won't have any more accidents!

Good luck!

Claire- I feel like hiring you to live with us and help with Tesla!

The bell is a great idea! And honestly I never would have thought of it. Tesla doesn't let us know at all, so having her wait by the door for you seems like a really good step!

Layla - if I can be any help at all, just ask! =)