The joys of housetraining

[wireweiners]

Last Friday we had a bodacious thunderstorm brewing. Severe storm warnings, tornado watch, the whole bit. http://dachsie.org/ubb/eek.gif. So I decided to take the puppies out to potty before it hit. There we were, out in the yard, wind blowing a gale, some pretty spectacular lightning and thunder and the pups are nonchalantly meandering around, sniffing, eating bugs, and playing. I was watching the lightning and doing the counting thing between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder to try to determine how far away the storm was. Pups were having a great time but not "taking care of business. Finally after a REALLY BIG lightning bolt and thunder clap http://dachsie.org/ubb/eek.gif I decided I'd rather clean the carpet than get struck by lightning. Did you ever have the urge to just reach down and give them a hard squeeze when you are in a hurry and they're not? http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif Ya know, just to squeeze it out of them?

[Wienergal]

Yes. Every time I have to take them out in a heavy rain... http://dachsie.org/ubb/uh-oh.gif Farfel will go right away, but Peaches always has to find the perfect, perfect spot... It took a long time, but I have trained my dogs to go on command, and they almost always will. One problem, though: Peaches will NOT go on cement; she must have grass or dirt, so even if it's raining cats and dogs, we have to walk to an area where she's comfy. http://dachsie.org/ubb/frown.gif Farf, on the other hand, will just squat at the first opportunity when the weather is bad.

I always feel so sorry for them, having to go outside to go! How come dogs can't be trained to litter boxes??

[Boonech]

I can relate. Annie could care less what the weather is like, but she's the one who has to find the PERFECT spot. So I'm in the front yard yelling "Hurry up, Annie"....."Annie, hurry up".

Gretchen, on the other hand, will go quickly on command...that is, IF THE WEATHER IS NICE. She doesn't like getting wet and if she hears the slightest hint of thunder, well you just might as well go in and put down some wee-wee pads cause she ain't a-goin in a storm! http://dachsie.org/ubb/eek.gif