Vern, GO POTTY!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think our dogs and their potty idiosyncrasies must be on a lot of our minds, because there have been lots of discussions and posts lately about this subject. I have been thinking about writing something about Vern for a long time, and then today I saw Lucy and Sophie's mom's discussion, about how long Lucy can hold it. Vern can hold it for a long time too, but my problem is more that Vern has to have an Oprah "Aha" moment before he goes. It is almost like he is just walking along and all of a sudden has an epiphany.

 

I am starting to think Vern thinks his name is Go Potty, Vern!  When we take the dogs out to do their business, Fudge gets right to the point, but not Vern. Vern likes to take his time, smell the air, walk around, sniff a little, tackle Fudge, smell the air, chew a stick, and then sniff some more. All the while, he is walking around I am saying, “Vern, go potty….Vern, Go Potty……VERN, GO POTTY!”

 

Imagine it is pouring outside. Here is Vern out to do his business:

Now, it is snowing. Here is Vern out to do his business:

 

Here he is thinking about going potty....oh wait a minute, never mind, false alarm:

So much to sniff, so little time.....Hey, Fudge, who keeps yelling, "Go Potty, Vern?:

Hmmmn, I am out here for something, but I can't remember what:

Isn't that a pretty birdie?

 

I swear when he finally goes, it reminds me of that scene in the movie, Helen Keller, when Helen finally realizes what the letters w-a-t-e-r mean that her teacher has been signing on her hand.  After I say, “Vern, Go Potty!” a few too many times, he looks at me like it finally dawns on him that “Go Potty” means make water or something more solid than water.

 

 

If I thought it would speed him up to hand him a newspaper or a magazine as he goes out the door, I would try it. I swear I would.

He does finally go and it looks something like this when he does:

or this:

No matter how long it takes him to go, Vern never has any accidents EVER in the house, so I guess I should count my blessings. It could be worse.

Someday, I hope he will get down to business sooner and if he can get to this point, we would be the happiest dog owners ever.

Who else wants to join Vern in the Slow to Go Group?

 

PS Please note....all landscaping (no grass) done by Vern too :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The 36 hours was when I first brought him home from the shelter. He was so afraid of making a mistake and going in the wrong place, he just wouldn't go at all. Tuesday night 'til Thursday morning, nothing.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yep, same here.  Then it was another 36, and another 36. 

You know F., I kept thinking that I did not want to make a big deal out of the "potty thing" with her in case, as Sigmund Freud warns, can be detrimental to the dogs personality development.  NO, I am not joking. So for years I have been so patient and have waited hoping it does not become a traumatic event.

Okay, yes I am crazy but honestly it did cross my mind.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Well, no doubt in some ways you were and are right. But poor SL and JD. Imagine how painful that overfull bladder must be.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

You must have been so worried. I can only imagine your relief when he finally "made a pee-pee."

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Dancing in the street, literally!

[F, Calla & Luca]

No doubt in wet shoes : )

[Jennifer and Jack]

That is so sad, and makes me so grateful he has you ...

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Bailey is a little lady about...She takes her time and has to find that one perfect spot.  I think part of it is since she is getting older she can hold it longer but we still bring her out every hour or so ...she looks at us like "I just went an hour ago...what do you want from me" LOL

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Elizabeth, How cute about Bailey. I do like when they can hold it longer. That puppy stage we were out every 15 minutes.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Another Laurie classic. Calla is a go out and get it done gal but she also just like to go out, often. Luca is more of a leisurely guy, too. Usually I don't care much. The dogs can be out on their own but I always have an ear out. But lately since we are beginning to look like Craters of the Moon National Monument, I need to keep an eye out too. I'm hoping the hurricane fills some craters back in. Why did they start digging again? Rhetorical question. Now I'm worried about the storm too. Luca could easily be carried away. Calla not so easy. This is one of the dangers of well trained dogs. I don't think I could convince them that indoors is better sometimes, even if I had a place. Anyone with good ideas? BTW, potty treats, never tried that and I don't know that I want to try.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can't imagine trying to get JD to "go" indoors. He would explode first.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I don't even want to think about that option!