Potty Training Victorian Bulldog Puppy

Question
Hi There,  

We have recently aquired a Victorian Bulldog puppy (Abby).  Abby is 17 weeks old and we are having the hardest time potty training her (we think).  We feel like we have just about tried everything.  She has a wire crate with just enough space to turn around and lay down. In the beginning she had no problem urinating and deficating in her crate; however, she has not deficated in there for quite some time now. Urinating on the other hand is a different story.  No matter how many times she is walked, she still pees in her crate. In the middle of the night she will only cry after she pees (not before to let us know that she has to go).  We also purchased a gate and have been keeping her in the bathroom with the door open and a pee pad.  She has no problem using the pad for its intended purposes (again, no matter how many times she is walked).  We have cut out her water by 7pm.  From what I have been reading, this is pretty good progress for a puppy her age (let alone a bulldog).  My question to you is, is there anything we can do to get her to tell us when she has to go potty? We really cant go by her crying because she cries for attention and when she wants to play..so thats not really a clear sign.  A friend suggested putting a bell by the door and ringing it each time we take her out and this way the dog will get used to the noise and just start to ring the bell when she needs to go out (this worked for his dog). We just need a way for her to tell us when she needs to go.  Any suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Teaching her to "ask" to go out should have started way back when you first got her. As you mentioned, the bell or clicker when she was taken out or something like that to signal she has to go.

Ultimately, she's just a baby. If you're putting any type of bedding (blanket, rug, etc.) in her crate, take it out and make her sleep on the bare tray. Take water away after 6.

If you're consistent and patient, I would expect this issues will be resolved in another month or so. Some dogs are just slow to house break. They're not all alike. It will happen but do keep it in mind....SHE'S STILL A BABY.

Good luck.