Wookie was 8 weeks old when we got her, and had had her first shot that day. From day one we allowed her out into our garden, and within a week she would go out to pee and poop if the door was open. We were lucky that we got her in the summer, so we could leave the door open for her. If the door wasn't open, and we didn't see that she wanted to go out, she would use a rubber-backed mat by the door. We bought several of those, as they were cheap, washable, and kept the floor underneath dry if she did have to pee on them. We tried the pads for a day, but she seemed to think they were just for shredding, so they went in the bin. The mat, however, she would happily use as it was the closest she could get to outside.
By 12 weeks she would bark if she wanted to go out and the door was closed, and she has never once since then pee'd or pooped inside unless she has no choice, as when we are at work. We have never punished her for peeing or pooping inside. If she can't get out, that is our fault, not hers. Clever she is, but she can't unlock and open the back door!
This morning, it was torrential rain when she got up. She trotted off outside quite happily. She likes being outside to do her business, and all credit to her for that. |