I agree totally that teaching a dog to ring a bell could be potentially really annoying. Loki would be in and out all day!!

Once they got past their puppy stages, my current dogs have each learned their own unique potty alert.

There is sort of desperation involved that it totally different from the just wanting to go outside dance.

I briefly tried a bell when we moved in to our current back door not visible from the main living area house..... but the cat thought it was great fun so it was ringing all day long.

They are also on a set schedule for the most part, and MUST go out between 7 and 715 in the morning, and then again around 10 at night. If I try to sleep in on the weekends, I am woken up by a desperate dog "whispering" in my face and cold nosing me.

Yep, that's what mine would be doing just for the fun of it!

 Quote: jennifer lee

I agree totally that teaching a dog to ring a bell could be potentially really annoying. Loki would be in and out all day!!

Once they got past their puppy stages, my current dogs have each learned their own unique potty alert.

There is sort of desperation involved that it totally different from the just wanting to go outside dance.

I briefly tried a bell when we moved in to our current back door not visible from the main living area house..... but the cat thought it was great fun so it was ringing all day long.

They are also on a set schedule for the most part, and MUST go out between 7 and 715 in the morning, and then again around 10 at night. If I try to sleep in on the weekends, I am woken up by a desperate dog "whispering" in my face and cold nosing me.

I hadn't thought about the cat thing. I can see my Bengal swinging off of it now and just torturing JD with that "yea, buddy, come and get me!" look in his eyes

It doesn't matter if I'm trying to sleep and hubby is still awake, my two will still come in and get me to take them out. Callie usually sneezes at me and JD does a silent little "yap" as if to say "I know you're trying to sleep mom, but I really have to pee and dad's not paying attention to me AGAIN!"

I'm starting to wonder who has who trained....

 Quote: mike arbelaez

Aaron, believe me I've tried to only let the pup be with me, but my wife then questions why we even have a dog. I try to explain, but her father bred GSDs her whole life and she claims that everything will work out fine. Ed's philosophy which has ingrained itself into me often is at odds with my wife's dog philosophy.

I think both Ed AND your wife are right. The difference is that you have to live with your wife!

It's all about what the goals are. A family dog can be just that. They are incredibly adaptable creatures, which is why we love them so.

There are great things to learn from people who prefer tougher "working" dogs, and who live with multiple dogs (ie: three or more). IMO, the "tougher" the temperament, and the higher the pack numbers, the more dog savvy the owner needs to be, and the more black-and-white the rules. However, dogs have been agreeable, adaptable family pets for centuries, and forgoing some health or temperament issues, things do seem to work out just fine, just as your wife contends.

As I read your question, I recalled the many times I've heard the opposite query over the years: "How do I teach my dog to ONLY potty in ONE place?" LOL

Overall, dogs are pretty darned versatile and adaptable.

Best,
Tracy

The trick isn't to separate kids and puppies.

It's to tire the puppy out so much before they play with the kids, that they're not enjoying it *more* than you, and to involve yourself so it's a family thing, not a kid and dog thing.

And, as you've been doing, to supervise thoroughly.

Well, Aaron, I take your word as good as gold because it is more than obvious that you know what you are talking about. So far, Jasmine is using the backyard, but still goes to the front door as we walk by on her leash which indicates to me that she needs to go outside.

I suppose allowing the dog to ring a bell or sit at the door gives the owner the liberty to care about other things than when to take the dog out. I'll continue to just take her out whenever she goes in and out of her crate, and the bell I'll leave as an added convenience; if I decide to become lazy. I'm happy that at this moment she can hold it in for 5-6hours through the night and I no longer have to set my alarm. I've got to tell you that sleeping has been heaven.

To further elaborate on the subject of my post: Should I be taking Jasmine to different spots to use the bathroom? I figured I would keep with the housebreaking routine, but now that she doesn't use the bathroom inside should I get her get comfortable with different places? I guess it just became habit to take her to the same spot over and over.

 Quote: mike arbelaez

To further elaborate on the subject of my post: Should I be taking Jasmine to different spots to use the bathroom? I figured I would keep with the housebreaking routine, but now that she doesn't use the bathroom inside should I get her get comfortable with different places? I guess it just became habit to take her to the same spot over and over.

Depends on what you're trying to achieve (and understand the ramifications/alternatives).

Teaching a dog to go in one place is a very good way to keep your lawn looking nice. If you pick an out of the way spot, you'll never have to look at pee-burned grass.

On the other hand, a dog that is taugh to go in one spot only may have a tough time transferring when he's not at home. (I can't pee here...it's not my spot!) So if you expect to travel with the dog, teach it to go on lots of different surfaces.

It's always a good idea to teach a "command" for eliminating--(I use "hurry up") Say it often enough while they are going, and eventually you'll get them to connect the word and action and pee on command.

Tracy, thank you very much for the positive outlook. I've got to keep my mind on the big picture. This is my very first pup and I want to do things right. Lucky for me, I have a beginner's mind, so, I have no clashes between my own philosophy and Ed's. The downside was--until I bought the Leerburg DVD's and joined this forum-- I didn't know how to differenciate between good advice and bad advice.

I'm pretty sure because of my dedication to this dog and learning that I've probably reached a level to which my knowledge can compare to my wife's. The tough part is keeping a home of harmony and from my experience my wife's input has to be important.

I've realized as dogs may be adaptable creatures, as Tracy mentioned, I also have to become adaptable myself. I'm trying to blend all of this knowledge and fit it into the circumstances of my life and home.

Nevertheless, I truly want Jasmine to become the "family pet" and I'm working hard to getting her there. Thank you all for all the insightful knowledge; none of it has went unheeded.

What are some things to keep in mind for raising a family pet? I don't want to write a book titled Jasmine and Me; unless it's about a really well behaved dog. Any ideas or tips would be appreciated. =)

 Quote: Aaron Myracle

The trick isn't to separate kids and puppies.

It's to tire the puppy out so much before they play with the kids, that they're not enjoying it *more* than you, and to involve yourself so it's a family thing, not a kid and dog thing.

And, as you've been doing, to supervise thoroughly.

Great advice. I would have never thought of that. Time to go outside and play catch before the kids come home!

 Quote: Mike Arbelaez

What are some things to keep in mind for raising a family pet?

IMO, the most important advice I can give is that dogs do much better and are much happier when they have few (or no) decisions to make in life. Never leave them guessing what is expected of them. There needn't be a long list of rules in a pet household--but the rules you decide upon have to be 100% consistent, fair, and understood by the dog. Because (very important here) the dog WANTS to please you. If she isn't doing something that's pleasing to you, it's because you have not communicated the rule to her in a way that she understands.