House breaking, it is possible

I have read the daily digest pretty regularly since March when we got our first JRT bitch who is a little strong willed. She is now 8 months old. We have made great strides in her behavior thanks to all of the good advice regarding obedience training.

But I had despaired of ever house breaking her. Then in the last couple of weeks I suddenly noticed we weren't having accidents in the house, although I am still having to taking her out every three hours and standing in the yard or she won't go. She has also been rattling her crate bars and getting us up every morning at 4:00 or 4:30, and again just before the alarm clock goes off at 6:00. (JRTs CAN tell time.) After reading Linda's answer to Melanie yesterday, I realized that perhaps she did not NEED to get up. This morning when she rattled her crate, I simply said, "No! Penny, go back to sleep." And to my surprise and relief, she did. It worked again at 6:00. I have high hopes that after a couple of mornings, she'll stop all together.