Okay, I think I see some things here:
* Your dog has had multiple UTIs.
* It sounds like the trainer was crate training her - you say she was never allowed loose in the house.
* Your trainer was using a "poop fence" and a clicker.
* You tried the "umbilical cord" approach, but felt it was unrealistic.
* You stopped treating for potties recently.
If your dog has had multiple UTIs and was not able to control her peeing, that may explain why it has taken her so long.
With regard to the trainer methods, I think you should follow the trainer's methods exactly. When you get her trained, you can gradually switch her to a different method, but it will be much easier if you start with a method that's been established to work with her.
The umbilical cord is a good method. With a tough potty training case, you really have to FULLY commit to the method you choose, as in, you will do nothing but watch your dog for two weeks straight. I know this is really hard, and I tried to avoid doing it with Thor, but it was the only way. He is also 4 lbs, and sometimes I couldn't even tell he was peeing, he was so small and fast. He'd stand somewhere for a second or two (WHILE I was watching!), and then he'd move, and I'd see the wet spot. The good news is that after two weeks of 100% consistency, I could relax and just watch him with one eye, and then not really watch.
You need to keep treating her for potties until she is completely reliable. Praise and treat her EVERY TIME she potties. This will probably result in her pottying way more to get treats, but let her get away with it until she is at least 30 days accident-free.
Other thoughts:
* You might want to try an xpen. Put pads along the bottom of the entire thing.
* Another method you can try: Do not let her go anywhere without a potty first. Before walks, time outside, eating, playing: pee, pee, pee and pee. If she doesn't, put her back in the crate for fifteen minutes and try again.
* You say you've tried two different cleaners, but don't mention what they are. Are you using an enzyme cleaner, like Nature's Miracle? It's worth checking.
Again, I would recommend first really trying to get the trainer's method to work, because at least that has shown some success. Once she "gets it", it will be much easier to modify your approach. You have to see that "click" though. Have you let the trainer know you are still having trouble? For $1K, they should be willing to do several follow ups. |