You are so right, Nova36, about bichons being more difficult to train. My sweet girl took about 2 years!! I would take her out for what seemed like hours and nothing. Would bring her back inside and WHAM...she would "go". The few times she would go outside I praised to to high heaven, but she never seemed to get the message. Now, finally, I take her out and say "piddle, piddle" and she "goes". Then I say in an excited voice "do your po/op/s, do your po/op/s, hurry, hurry" (got that from a training book at the library) and she will . She is five now and isn't the easiest dog to get to "go" outside. The moment we get up in the morning I have to dress hurridly or throw on a housecoat and immediately take her out or she piddles on the rug. I hate that because I usually need to go also but have to wait until my little princess goes first! She does sit at the back door, very quietly, if she needs to go out, but unless I see her, it is a waste. She doesn't come and get me. How do you get them to let you know without having to watch them all day? By the way I got her in Jan of 2005 in a cold, winter climate also. Kudos to you for being able to get yours trained so well. My girl is the sweetest dog I've ever had and she does follow me everywhere all day like a 2 yr old child and lays at my feet. She also won't go out in the yard alone...looks back to be sure I'm right behind her.