half potty trained

Question
My 8 month old cocker spaniel is sooo smart-- he learns very fast! He knows how to sit, lay down, roll over, crawl, shake hands, and within 30 minutes TODAY, he learned how to bark when I say "Go Tigers" (yes, we did this while watching LSU  whoop MS State!) -- but I have one kinda big problem-- it seems like he knows to pee and poop outside in the grass but I don't know how to teach him to signal that he needs to go... it's like if we don't automatically know to let him out, he'll just poop by the door (any door).  Another thing is that sometimes I'll open the door and put him out so he can pee/poop ... well he'll just sit by the door and poop on the concrete!! He WILL NOT poop in the grass unless someone STANDS outside with him! He can do everything but he's not fully potty trained! It's driving me insane! I don't know what to do anymore!!

Answer
Hi Dawn,
It seems like he is telling you he needs to go if he's pooping at the door.
I think you need to back up and start the housetraining again.
So start taking him for a walk after each meal with lots of praise when he goes.  Snap his leash on and take him out to the grass every two hours...lots of praise when he goes
where you want him to..treats and all !

To teach him to signal, put a little bell on a ribbon at the door and every time you take him out..take his paw and bat the bell.  He sounds pretty smart so it won't take long for him to get the association.

Don't be cross with him.  In his way, he IS signalling but you're not watching him.  Use the same door every time.
You got it right when you said you didn't know how to teach him to signal so he's doing the best he can.

And unless you TAKE him to the grass and teach him "that's the place" he doesn't know that either.  Out is out as far as he's concerned.

So start all over and "finish" his training.  Shouldn't take very long for such a smart boy !!
Best of luck,
Delores