Payton keeps asking me if I have sent you pictures of Buddy. I will be forwarding to you two pictures. Can you tell which one was taken the day we brought him home, and which one was taken 3 weeks later? Everyone tells us he looks like a stuffed animal!
Buddy is very easy going- he likes being around kids and other dogs, has no problems with car rides, fireworks, doesn't mind being handled at all, and adjusted to his crate very easily. He also goes with the flow of our hectic lifestyle. We did bell train him like you suggested, and he has done well. He only pooped in the house once. We have had a few more piddle accidents, which is expected. He mostly goes on the towels we have around to wipe his paws when he comes in after all this rain!! When I let him out at night (on my schedule) he does his business and comes right back inside and back to sleep.
Buddy has been a great lesson in responsibility for Payton. I can't say that it was always easy for her to adjust her plans to meet his needs ;) She takes him on walks and she has been working with him on his obedience training.