I used to take a slightly soiled potty pad outside with me and place my little one on or right next to it. Also, if the dog didn't potty, I learned the hard way to bring them in and if I was going to be even momentarily busy, place them in the crate where they either had to go on the potty pad there or hold it. Then, once I was done, it was back outside, even if they had pottied on the pad in the crate. It was just a rule of thumb I had - after being in the crate, even a short time, I took the dog outside. That way they got the expectation that if they held it while in the crate, a break would be coming. They could count on it every time.
__________________  Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |