Does Oscar have us trained?

[Oscar's Mom]

We've been working on the 'bells', for a few weeks and I was starting to think 'he's never going to do this'...but this past week he is now ringing the bells about 50/75% of the time that he needs to to go. Just a couple of problems, he rings only once and if we dont get there fast enough he'll go in the kitchen, and he's also ringing the bells for attention, like everytime we sit down for dinner. I know sometimes its just for attention or that he wants to go back out just be outside because he'll ring the bells, 10-15 minutes after getting back in. But I'm not sure how to handle that, do I take him out any way or do I just ignore it? I dont want to undo what he's learnt. But I want him to understand that the bells are for going outside for business not for attention. I probably should not complain since this is great progress, Oscar will be 2 in March and potty training has always been a struggle. I know there's some other bell ringers out there, any advice?

[Frzframe]

We have this problem also. I say take him out cause when we don't take Mitzi out (cause she has just been out) she ends up going inside. Of course it's our fault for not taking her. Then there are those times when she just wants to go out and play so she rings the bells. We take her out and give her time but if she just acts like she wants to be outside to play then we bring her right back in. Mitzi is ringing her bells still but since Christmas she has relapsed and only goes to them once in awhile. I think she does this because she would ring her bells and my dad who was home wouldn't take her out because she had just been outside. So I think if you ignore him then he will give up the bells because he isn't getting his way. I wish I also had some advise in this because I could sure use it.
~Shonda

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Frzframe on January 23, 2001 at 01:57 PM</font>