Erin B
Posted : 1/31/2007 10:50:25 AM
We got our pup at 8wks and like you, learned quickly that you have to take them out CONSTANTLY. Playing, sleeping, eating, drinking, or just the passing of time = out to pee! At 12wks we decided the pup was so smart that he would be able to tell us he had to go. Well he walked by the front door and then came over to us and squatted on the carpet. To him, at 12wks, his signal was simply walking by the door and we didn't pick up on it. So much for letting him tell US.
For the first good chunk of time, YOU tell your dog when to go, and by doing this all the time, you're constantly hammering home the pattern of "outside to go pee". Since you're so vigilant (and congrats to you, you sound good at this!), he doesn't have accidents which only serves to further reinforce the idea that he can only pee outside.
Our pup is 4 months now, and when he has to pee he goes to the front door, sits there and looks at you. Sometimes he whines at the front door. He has gotten the hang of it so we no longer need to tell HIM when to go. Just keep doing what you're doing and eventually it'll just happen. There's no set age because all dogs and breeds are different.