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Dukesdad and Pete,

Well, litter training is exactly what it sounds like. She is being trained to go in a litter box. Not a small one like for a cat, but still the same idea. Lots of people say that this is not natural for a dog but I have talked to many people that did this successfully. All had small dogs and didn't have a problem. It's kind of like teaching your dog to only go in one spot in the yard. She has gone from puppy pads on the floor to puppy pads in the box. We were doing great until we upgraded to litter. I kept the puppy pads over the litter, but she hated the feeling of the soft litter. I think that might have been a lot of the problem. But, we removed the litter and she is still going on the floor. Especially in the morning, before I come downstairs. I don't know if this means I have to lock her in her crate all night now or what. Really at a loss. She was doing so good for so long and now all of a sudden it's back to going on the floor. I don't know what to do anymore and because she has gotten in trouble so much lately for that, she is ignoring all other commands as well. Like, come here. She is acting like she is scared of me and I feel horrible. I am so lost and we are both so stressed out. I have been watching her and watching her and she will have a really good day, like yesterday and then I came down to pee everywhere this morning. And her litter pad was dry. I don't get it. Is it rebelling? I hope so and man I hope it ends soon. Our other training is suffering and I don't know if I should just start over with everything or just keep going with where we were before all of this went haywire. I know it's weird to think of dog going in a litter box, but really it will be the best for her in the long run as there may be days when no one is home for 16 hours or more. And no, there is no one that can come and let her out during the day and we can't afford daycare. Also, does anyone know if there are CET's in Edmonton? I think we need some professional help.

vltrudel,

I would just take it one day at a time, as it's obviously stressing you both out. Do it like you're starting from the beginning, but take her to go in the litter or the pee pad on the floor, whichever is going to be the permanent solution, as you don't want to confuse her. If it's going to be pee pads, get rid of the litter, if it's going to be litter, get rid of the pee pads. I would start taking her there every couple hours, ask if she needs to pee (or do your business, go potty, whatever key word you want to teach her), put her in for a few minutes, and praise when she goes. Set an alarm and get up once or twice during the night. Repeat for a few days, or as long as it takes for there to be a few times where there's been lots of praise, and no accidents (make sure to use your key word, like good potty). Then let her start going on her own, a bit, gradually working up to her going on her own all the time. Maybe she's rebelling, maybe she's just not getting it, or maybe she's just confused with the transition. Today's Friday, so start today and then watch her like a hawk over the weekend, keep the leash handy to bring her over to the litter or whatever you use if you see her starting to "pee dance". And again, take her over there every couple hours till she goes where you want her to go. Set you both up for success, praise her when she does, and go from there.

Good luck!
Lynne

That was awesome advice. Honestly we didn't even do it like that at the beginning. Maybe that was the problem. I willtake your adivce and follow it to the letter. Let's hope this works.

Got no other advice to give just some moral support
I know you're confused and frustrated but try to hide it, or your dog may pick up on it too.
Good Luck

Thanks Dukesdad. Advice or no advice, a word of encouragement is always good to hear when things are getting rough. BTW, not one mistake since the major one this morning. YAY!! Consistency apparently works. Even forgot to put her back on the leash after her nap and just walked her over to the box and told her to go "peepee's" and she did!!! One good day in so many bad ones just feels that much better. Now if only she would consistently "come here". *sigh* one thing at a time.

Also, nobody answered the question about CET's in Edmonton, does anyone know if there is or not??