One of the best things we did with our dog (rottie) when house training besides using the crate was to train him to ring a bell tied to the door when he wanted to go out. Training was very easy. During the crate training, every time you take the dog out of the crate, you take them out to pee. On the way out, lead the dog to the bell and the first couple times (days) ring the bell yourself. The next couple bump the dogs nose into the bell so the dog rings it. After that walk the dog to the door and wait for the dog to ring it, then go out. Lastly, any time the dog rings that bell (even by accident) take the dog out. My rottie was house broken in two weeks using this. Problem was, once he learned the response to the behavior, he would ring the bell when he wanted to just go out, and you knew he did not have to pee. I think we pulled the bell off the door around 6-8 months old.
-dan
