Well, I'm going to keep reading this thread - watching for someone to come up with a magical, trouble-free, sure-fire answer to the housebreaking problem. I could certainly use one!
I'm far more patient with Bailey than my wife is, and there are days that I want to shake her! Like that could ever happen - one look at that little face and I melt. When we first brought Bailey home, I tried the puppy pads. She completely ignored them. I really thought they'd be a good long-term solution because I don't know how we're going to handle outdoor potty trips in the middle of a thunderstorm or when the temperature is in the 20's, etc. But they clearly aren't going to work.
The standard procedures - a firm "NO" and a hurried trip outside when we catch her about to go, frequent trips outside, command cues ("go potty"), praise as soon as she starts peeing or pooping ("good girl, good potty"), rewards (treats) and restrictions (going bact to the crate for a while when we're confident she should have to go but doesn't do it) are producing irregular results. And we don't switch around - we do all of them all of the time. Sometimes she'll do well for a day or two, then she will seem just defiant about not wanting to do what we want done. She'll spend 15-30 minutes outside and do nothing except chew on the grass and try to dig a hole, then pee within seconds of coming inside.
I keep reminding myself she's a baby (12 weeks), and keep looking forward to that day when it all comes together for her. Sure hope it's soon. |