So, I should have known this potty training thing wasn’t going to happen in a straight line. Hershey is still making messes inside. We haven’t gone a day without one. I do think she’s letting us know when she needs to go out; but her signs are so subtle, that if you miss it, she just decides, What the heck, I’m here. I’ll go inside.
So what is her gotta-go sign? She basically just sits and looks at you when she has to go. But she also does that when she wants to sit on your lap, or she wants you to play, or she wants something to eat. It’s not like she’s scratching at the door when she needs to be let out. It’s just so frustrating, because it’s so easy to miss.
And I suspect she’s itching to go out more often than she needs to. She’s just in it for the treats. I’m pretty sure the minute she feels the slightest urge, she wants out so she can get a goodie. And as I mentioned before, she’s certainly making the most of her trips outside, squatting for a few dribbles here and there and hoping for a treat.
So, changes are in order, but what? For one, she’s only getting one treat the first time she goes when she’s outside. (And then she gets one when she goes back inside. The Milkbone people love us.) Maybe that will discourage the fifteen minute all-over-the-yard potty sessions. I’ve heard of people putting bells on their door for the dog to ring when they need to do their business. Friends reportedly trained their dog this way in two weeks, so maybe we’ll try that.
My sister in law is lucky enough to have a fully fenced in back yard, so she just lets her puppy out when he needs to go and doesn’t have to traipse around the yard with him. Not really an option for us. So, I need to respond every time she looks at me. At some point, dogs only go out two or three times a day, right? There is a silver lining in the future, right? Herhsey’s potty training has become my number one obsession. It all makes for great dinner party conversation.
We need to get on top of some bad behaviors, too. She’s jumping up on the furniture, which we don’t want. I’m not sure how to teach her not to do that. Do I need to sign her up for obedience classes, or can I handle this on my own?
I just didn’t know so much was involved in taking care of a puppy. It’s all- consuming. Maybe it’s different for people who crate their dog and go to work. But I’m with her all day. The only time I really can relax is when she’s napping—and that doesn’t seem to happen often enough. When she’s awake, I’m on alert. I’m on constant puppy patrol.
I know someday I’ll look back on this fondly, just like I do my kids’ baby years. (Really, they were that small? And they used to wake me up five times a night and throw up on me every day?) But right now, my life is Hershey 24/7. I’m wondering when I’ll feel confident enough to sit back and relax when she’s not in my sight. I guess these are the doggie days.
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Have you missed any of the articles in this series?
If so, you can find them at:
The Bringing Up Puppy Series page.
Related posts:
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – Potty Trained?
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – Counting My Chickens Too Soon
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – First Trip to the Vet
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – Who’s Training Who?
- Bringing Up Puppy Series – Tricks and Treats
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