[momothree]

Okay, here I am again with yet another question. This forum is so great for us inexperienced puppy people. So, Sage (11.5 weeks old) is pretty good when it comes to the housetraining thing. The problem is that we keep her on a tight reign, so she can't really signal to us when she has to go potty. She is either in her crate, or in her pen, or stationed in the living room on one of her pup beds, or one of us has her on a 6' leash with us as we go about our household business. She isn't much of a barker (which, I have to say, I'm quite happy about). Sometimes, and only sometimes, if she is in her pen, she will perhaps whine a little bit and sit and stare at us. That's okay if we happen to hear/see her. Then, there are other times when I'm right there in the kitchen and she doesn't whine or anything, and suddenly I notice a nice big puddle on the floor of her pen. We did hang a bell on the door that we always go out to take her potty, but--it's kinda silly since she can't really get there of her own accord to ring it At this point, I don't have any idea at what age she will actually be free-roaming in our house. Any thoughts on this??? Thanks

 

[momothree]

Lisa-

Thanks for your input on my situation. It was nice to hear support for the way I'm doing it--some people I have spoken to think that my approach is a little to restrictive, but I can't afford not to be. You were right about the 3 kids, and one is a baby (the other 2 are 12 and 10--so they are less of an issue) so I really need to keep a close eye on Sage (and baby Kate). Also, there are baby toys everywhere and I really want Sage to (eventually) know the difference. Maybe that's a real fantasy, I don't know :lol: I suppose that, in addition to the housetraining issues, Sage will probably be having restricted access for quite a while---poor pooch. Maybe I won't really see her consistently signalling to go out to potty until she does have more freedom. Your right, I will just have to see if I can pick up on the more subtle signs until then. I've actually been hoping to catch her "in the act", but I always seem to catch it after :roll: Oh well, as you said, things will come together sooner or later. Thanks again

 

[momothree]

Jac

Thanks for your advice about the play time after pottying. We give her free play time, but not right after she does her "business"--I bet she would catch on even more quickly. I'm hoping her "subtle" signals become less "subtle". :lol:
Well, it's good to hear all the support for tethering---I just read the other recent post about it too, and I will definitely turn a deaf ear to all the nay-sayers out there. I honestly couldn't imagine trying to have a well-behaved puppy and a sane houshold any other way :lol: I actually have Sage signed up for obedience class on April 6th---she'll be 16 weeks old. I don't really know what the ideal age is, but I can't wait.
As for exercise, I have to say I am a bit confused as to how much she needs now, and how much she will need over time. At present, I take her out for a 15-25 min. walk in the morning, then one or both of my kids take her out at about 3pm for another 10-15 min. walk. Other than that, we throw her ball around in the living room for her a couple of times a day and sometimes, while she is tethered to me in the kitchen, I give her an upside down plastic bowl or empty plastic bottle (both of which she goes nutso over) and she boots around on the lino chasing it (sometimes I'll put some kibble in the bottle or under the bowl--that really keeps her busy). After her last set of shots (in 2 weeks), I'll be able to take her to the park etc. She'll love that.

 

[momothree]

Jac-

Thanks again for all the positive feedback--some days you need it more than others. It makes it easier getting through the rough spots, and I'm sure I'll be referring back to it for those times :lol:

Lisa--I got the idea from one of the gazillion dog/puppy training books I got out of the library before we got Sage. Your guys will hopefully love it too---the dynamic with the two of them might be a Kodak moment!!!