My little girl is potty pad trained, but the way I understand it, most everyone starts out doing pads since babies aren't supposed to go outside really (especially front yards or anywhere dogs have been) until 3 weeks after their last puppy shots. And, since she isn't 4 mo old yet, and doesn't have the muscle control to hold it for 8 hours, the utility room is a great idea (I'm assuming it's an easy-to-clean floor). They say to line the entire floor with newspaper (or pads) making a den area at one end for sleeping/eating/drinking. Also, only praise her for going where you eventually want her to go. So, if you take her into your backyard, then praise her when she goes there, but just ignore that she used the papers in the utility room if you see her in the act. That's the main thing that confuses them---praising them for going in the house when you want them to go outside. Just make sure to keep her papers clean in your utility room. If your utility room is really large, you can partition it off making it smaller, or even use your big kennel/little kennel technique in there. (The little kennel as her den is a great idea, and she'll be well on her way when you start crate training if you're going to do that!!) |