He now rings the bell constantly and we play in out in out in out - I feel like if I don't let him out he will quit ringing it...soooo my question is this:
When do you start "weaning" him from bell = door open to bell= I have to potty?
See - this is the tough part. We pretty much had to constantly honor his "bell-ringing" at first - so he knows he is doing good becuase after all - that is what you wanted him to do - ring the bell. We'd go outside with him every time and make him potty - even if it was just the pee squat attempt to potty - and then he could come back inside. But he will realize if he rings and goes out - he must potty before coming in. I think that helped Rocky learn bell=outside, potty = inside.
You know?
But like I said - if he was JUST out or would have no reason to have to potty - when Rocky rings it I just started saying "NO" very firmly/loudly and he learned that meant he's not going out right now - he goes and does something else.
Sometimes if he REALLY wants to play he rings the bell - followed by my NO - then comes over to me, sets his head on my lap, then comes and sits on top of me and cuddles for like 2 minutes - then goes and rings the bell. Usually I get up then - he knows how to sucker me in.
Good luck!