OK, I will be the voice of dissension here. I do home childcare..and will push, prod and cajole all of my families (so far 5 have) to do the "3 day method". I paid for the ebook (it was only about $30)...and share the needed parts with them. IT WORKS.
I always dreaded toilet learning, and as a provider..ugh, thats a long time! But this method makes parents be super active..they have to be involved, start it off, etc. I can't do that, but will support anyone who starts it off at home. I firmly believe any child can be trained quickly...maybe a few more than 3 days, but within a week for sure for daytime training. Overnight stuff really is another animal. Some get it, some don't right away.
I feel if a child is "allowed" to decide when they are ready, we will continue to have a society of 3-4+ year olds who are yet to be trained. We rely too much on products that make our lives easy like pull ups. We are too hurried in our lives to take the time to get this done (JMO.)
The 3 day method is like waging a war and you must be fully committed. The first thing you do, for both of you, is to toss the diapers and pull ups. All of them in the house, diaper bag, car, everywhere. Do it together. Buy alot of undies beforehand (20-30 pairs). Have extra bedsheets. Lots of clean laundry. Small towels placed about the house I also found helpful (not in the book). Your child in undies and shirt and socks. Thats it. For days.
You do NOT leave the house. At all. You have the house cleaned, so no housecleaning or projects or work from home, etc has to be done. Have lots of kids stuff..books, short videos, toys and games they like. Craft projects. Do not leave the house to go to the park or play outside, unless you can be sure to get to the toilet in about 30 seconds.
Have frozen pizzas, waffles, eggs, pre-made casseroles, sandwich fixings, or a second adult who can go get take out. Stay attached to your child 24/7...yes, even at bedtime, you are no more than 2-3 feet from your child. Thats how it works and is successful. You must cue into every single noise and little thing they do that might be their way of letting you know they have to go potty.
You do NOT make them go. No forcing. Ever. No timed intervals. No asking them "do you need to go potty?" but instead you encourage them to tell you..give them the power and the language. "remember to tell me when you need to go potty" "remember that I can help you anytime you need to go pee" Don't forget to let me know so we can get to the potty really quick!". At some points, when I could tell they were getting to need to go (body language..potty dance sorta thing...not playing..standing more still to control things, etc), I would say several things in a rapid repeat. Otherwise it was s till every few minutes all day long. I also offered ONE M&M, but only for success. Not for trying.
Keep the potty chair in the bathroom. Never bring it into another room. Where in the world can you go pee in someones living room or kitchen???? Begin as you mean to go on in this regard, is how I feel.
You will learn to read thier signs (for one of mine it was a distinct whine..and if I caught him doing it ASAP, we made it to the toilet..a few days later he was able to verbalize it..but actually had very few accidents in his 8-10 hours here with me at daycare, and never did at nap).
You CAN train them for at least most of the daytime training. I have witnessed and been a part of 5 living examples in the last year and a half. All very different children and different families. The youngest at 22 mos, the oldest at 28 mos.
Good luck!