When we were expecting the realtor to come and list our house, Mister and I went on a cleaning spree. One of the things I did was clean up Greta’s potty area in the backyard. I’ve cleaned it before, but it’s not something I do every day since dried poo is much easier to pick up than not so dried poo.
Ever since I cleaned the backyard, Greta has pretty much refused to go potty there. I don’t know why, and like I said, it’s not the first time I’ve cleaned things up out there. I also didn’t clean it any differently than usual. But for some reason, it just warped something in her little doggie brain and she’s taken to using the living room again. We’re back to square one with her and the potty training.
Honestly, I think she’s holding out for more walks. She LOVES going for a walk – she gets so excited when I get her harness and leash out, and paws at the harness like crazy when I’m trying to put it on her. I took her out this morning (why oh why does it have to be 90°F at 6:30am?) and she did her business happily. I took her out last night – still over 100°F after dark – while she happily pranced and peed all over the neighborhood. Lazy Mommy doesn’t like having to go out in this heat, but lazy Mommy also doesn’t like cleaning up the carpet multiple times every day.
I guess I need to sweat it out and take her for more regular walks. But she still needs to start using the backyard again, too.
I know how frustrating that is….with me, I am gone at times when the dogs need to go, and the other household occupants won’t take them out. I finally ripped our carpet out and put down pads for them to use. Not ideal, and certainly not something everyone can do. But worth it for me. Except for the times when the dogs have scattered the pads before going, but going in the spot where the pads are. At least I no longer have to clean it out of carpet, which is a blessing.
Where are you moving?
Our house is on a concrete slab, and at this stage in the game I’m really not into trying to replace flooring, so I’ll just continue to clean up after her. When I was first trying to potty train Greta, she’d avoid the training pads. I even put them all over the floor, and she’d find a sliver of space between the pads to go on.
I’m not sure when we’re moving yet. It all depends on whether or not the house sells at short sale and when that happens, or however long the process to hand it back over to the bank goes. It could be 6 weeks or another 6 months.