FirstYorkie - I agree with you about the collar/harness issue. We agree that a collar can be used without hurting a dog or being unkind.
My potty training thread was really meant to be more humerous than it was taken. I was hoping it would, in a funny way, cause a lot of us to realize that potty training is more "our job" than it is our dog's. Though, I have certainly been guilty at one time or another of committing most of the excuses I listed.
Now you'll be proud of me - and Murphy. He is left alone in the kitchen area when I work - 6 hours, four days a week - and for the past two weeks or so, he has not gone to the bathroom during this time at all - most days. This is good. I am also noticing that around the house in general (even wearing a belly band), he is pees far less frequently. This is no doubt largely due to his just becoming older.
And - because it is finally warmer here. We are now going outside a lot. I take off his belly band (which is usually dry now) and we go out every hour or two and he pee's two or three times every time we go out. And, I do tell him that he is "just wonderful!"
So - see - I'm working harder at it and Murphy is improving by leaps and bounds.
My reference to his peeing on the front room carpet was something that he did when I first got him. That's why I put belly bands on him in the first place.
I was thinking today - I'm taking Murphy outside a lot now - so he's peeing outside and not in the house. But if I didn't take him out often, he'd be peeing in the house. So - which one of us is really potty trained... me or Murphy???
And - again, there is no doubt that all of this is easier now that he is a little older (7 months) and not having to go to the bathroom as frequently as he did when he was a pup.
I do believe in positive reinforcement. I just think there are a occasional times when I have to tell Murphy "No" and let him know that what he is doing is not a good thing. I would never spank him or hurt him in any way ever. And, I never yell at him either. More often than not, when I discipline him this way, he just runs off and starts playing with a toy....like he could care. But, he's smart, and he does remember my reaction to some of the things he does. And, even though he acts like he could care less or didn't even hear me -- he did. His quickly improving behavior proves this. I can't help but mention again that I have noticed so much happening just this last month or even past few weeks and think that his being a little older is a large part of everything.
One of his best new tricks is going to the door. He never did bark, but now he sits about four or five feet behind me when I open the door and stays there...which means I don't have to worry as much about him running out when someone comes over. I'm proud of him for this one.
Bye - Carol Jean |