[Fury]

Fury is now 11 weeks old and since we got her so young we started her on those housebreaking pads which worked out great because this was before her vaccines and vet told us not to take her outdoors, period. But now they seem to hinder rather than help... we take her out, stay out with her up to another hour even longer, playing and jumping around as pups do and then as soon as we come home I'm fumbling to open door and she's antsy to get in ( of course, at first I assumed it was because she was just happy to be home) but no - it's to rush in and go to her little pad on the floor and do what she needs to do.

Some mornings I take her out instead of using pad and she tends to do this walk ( I call it her princess walk) one that looks like she's tiptoe'ing because she appears to be disgusted with the morning dew on the grass but nothing happens until we return indoors.

I've even taken the pad outdoors as it suggests on the directions and she looks at pad on the grass then up at me... I know this must sound silly - actually, hubby has confirmed it sounds crazy. But, I swear she's talking to me with her eyes, thinking I'm nuts and yet, she doesn't do a thing till we go in... of course, I can't complain too much because she does do rather well on this pad with only rare ocassions of accidents.

But where she use to do little messes are now becoming bigger as she gets older and I rather not continue it when she's full grown. Any suggestions?


Second question : When we take her to park or outdoors - she tugs and pulls on grass and munches on it as if she's grazing - is this normal? She has an appt with vet on Friday and I plan on asking him but I was curious if anyone had their dogs do this and is it normal and not harmful to them?


Thanks all, I appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

 

[Zippitydodaa]

Ive heard many people say that have used the pads, gradually bring the pads closer and closer to the back door, and then outside. Then discard the pads. This will take several days, and possibly weeks, but eventually they will get the idea. I didnt use the pads at all, but trained Brodie from the start to use a bell to let me know he needed to go outside, and it worked as soon as he figured out what the bell was for, and we had no more problem.

 

[Josie's Proud Mom]

Stubborn little buggers aren't they! Sounds like you have your work cut out for you! I see you stated you've put the pads outside, well the only thing I can think of is to keep her outside longer and when you bring her in and she goes to use the potty on the pad take her right back out, right away. I in all honesty would get rid of the pads all together. I know this may cause problems at first, but she is at the age where she should be able to control her bladder better than when you first got her. She will have accidents but you are going to have to watch her like a hawk, if need be keep her on a leash with you at all times (while in the house). This will take some time but I beleave it will work. Remember to reward (praises and treats) her when she does go potty outside make sure she knows she done good. Praises and treats work a thousand times better than spankings and scoldings! Good luck! Let us know how you make out and when she become a big girl (Going potty outside)!

 

[halo]

grass eating

Yes mind love to eat grass and as they got older and roots they can dig up. Now that they are older they will usually bring me the roots if I call them to do so. So far it hasn't done any harm to them ocasionally they will trow up. but nothing serous . You do need to keep an eye on them though that they don't eat anything that could be posion to them or have chemicals on it.

 

[bearsmom]

I sounds like when you are taking her out you are also making it play time. Which I think until she is house broken can be confusing. Potty time needs to be seperate from playtime. Before playtime take her out to the same spot everytime and say the same thing until she goes. Then praise her like heck and bring her in directly in. Then you can have playtime. JMO. Hope it helps.