I've been extremely busy today, expecting company in a couple of hours, but as I've thought about my question and Karlin's reply, I've decided I needed to take the time to sit down and make my real qestion more clear instead of hurried unexplained question that I posted earlier that has made me look like an idiot.
We had not been restricting Quincy to one room, but two since we've had him (one week today) The one room has carpet the other vinyl (kitchen). My husband made a board to put across a door way to restrict him a little more so there would not be so many accidents on the carpet. The board blocks off the kitchen, which is where the water dish is. The board is to heavy to move all the time so when we were letting him in the family room with us, which is often, he is restricted from his water. He also spends time in the kitchen when I'm in there or when I feel like I don't have the time to keep my eyes on him literally every minute. Anyway, I noted the other day that time in the kitchen is about 4 or 5 periods of time a day and wondered if this was enough exposure to water a day. Since then, we've gone to petco and found a puppy gate that is low enough to step over but that will keep him confined to the kitchen when I need him to be. It had also occured to me when we were using the other board that Laci was not able to get to her water either so I knew something had to change. This gate has a "door" on it so when he is not restricted to the room I open the door and they both can come and go in the kitchen as they please. So this has now solved the water issue, but.... now..... the bell issue. It occured to me a bit ago while I was in there cleaning and he was with me, if he by chance (fat chance :roll: ) needed to go out and wanted to ring the bell to alert me, he can't get to it when he's resticted!!
I think that I don't have to really worry about that, I have a feeling it's going to be a long long time before he decides he will alert us with the bell!!! Although I must say.... he's not terrified by it anymore like he was the first day or so we used it! And he sure has learned fast where the "I've been a good boy and peed outside" treats are! and when he gets them!!!!!
Anyway, Karlin and all... I'm not really being mean to him and he IS getting plenty of water!!! And going outside very often, altough I'll have to say Paulines suggestion of every 20 minutes gave me pause. I think we were doing every 30 to 40, unless I knew he'd drank, then it was within 5 minutes of drinking. We'll adjust as I figure him out.
Back to work now... company is coming.. I just didnt want anybody to think I was torturing the little guy.
Nean