Hey everybody, I haven't posted in quite a while so I just thought I'd update and get some advice on what I should be doing with my pup next.
Our cute little indoor dog is about 4 months old now and he's been doing great.
Potty Training: He's almost fully potty trained with a random accident here and there. I'm not sure what causes those??? <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> He rings a bell that hangs from the door every time he has to go out, so he knows how to tell me. Do you think he could just be forgetting to tell us or gets caught up in the moment? What causes this? What can I do to fix this?
Obedience: I've been doing lots of fun obedience training with him, he sits, lays, rolls over, (been working on a down stay) and lately I've been introducing distractions too...even tossing him a treat right in front of him and stopping him from going nuts after it. But sometimes I feel like he's confused about the difference between sit and lay...any thoughts on that or advice about distractions? I also know I need to work more on recall, I've been reading about that a little bit today.
And lastly, how can I get him to not jump on people and calm down when new people come to our house...? I mean usually he'll listen to me and calm down but its not the best welcome to people when I gotta yell at my dog to get down.
Thanks in advance everybody, you guys are great! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

For potty training go here

http://leerburg.com/housebrk.htm

As for Obedience IMO you need to slow down he is only 4 months old

Yeah, thanks I've read that a couple of times and again just now...I understand it all and feel like I'm doing it all but it doesn't really mention anything about why he woud be having these random accidents now. Do you think he'll grow out of them? Could it be my fault?

this is a quote from the article

"A puppy is NEVER ALLOWED TO HAVE FREE ACCESS TO THE HOUSE unless you have your eyes on the pup. If he poops on the floor because you turned your back for 45 seconds - well you screwed up and made a mistake. Don't blame the pup for your mistake."

Amy, do you have "Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months" ?

http://www.leerburg.com/120.htm

You cannot go wrong with that DVD -- And, I'd save the more advanced OB til your pup's at least twice the age it is right now...

Meanwhile, crating Puppy when guests come over is a much better idea than getting upset with the poor young thing <:-(

 Quote:

............Our cute little indoor dog is about 4 months old now and he's been doing great. ... Potty Training: He's almost fully potty trained with a random accident here and there. I'm not sure what causes those??? <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> ...... how can I get him to not jump on people and calm down when new people come to our house...? I mean usually he'll listen to me and calm down but its not the best welcome to people when I gotta yell at my dog to get down. .... Thanks in advance everybody, you guys are great! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Yes, it's probable that he doesn't remember every time. If you tether him or crate him or never have him loose when you are not right with him, he can't have random accidents.

I would strongly urge that you get http://www.leerburg.com/302.htm
and/or the 8 Weeks - 8 Months video Candi links you to. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I would crate him too when people are coming over until you have more control. I also have had very good luck with a drag lead, to be clipped on whenever there will be visitors or excitement of any kind. It is SO much easier to grab that light little line than it is to yell commands at a young pup who doesn't have obedience yet. (Yelling teaches that "it's OK to ignore normal-voiced commands, and they will escalate, at which point maybe I should pay some mild attention.")

Hey, most of us have been there -- if not with a puppy, than with new adoptees. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />