Potty training Maggie - again/still

[Stacy]

I can't really complain. We haven't had any accidents inside when I have been home for over a month. I'm starting to feel like I can trust her when I'm here and I don't have to watch her every single second. That's the good thing and I'm thrilled about it! 

Here's where I could use any new thoughts. She's still not comfortable in the crate, so when I work I'm leaving her in the garage. She has a recliner and a bed out there. And she seems reasonably happy. It's well dog proofed (after she pulled a brand new half gallon of liquid laundry detergent off the table and it broke and caused a laundry detergent flood - what a mess!) But she's still having some accidents in the garage. And... it's interesting.

I worked Monday, Wednesday, Friday this week. Our routine is that we get up around 7:30 or 8 and eat breakfast and then I take them outside. Then I take them outside several times while I'm getting ready for work. We spend a good amount of time in the yard. I leave around 10:10. I'm still keeping an eye on her with the camera, so I know what she's doing. 

Monday I got to work about 10:45 and looked to see what she was doing and she had already pooped. She did not have any pee accidents that day and just the one poop immediately after I left. 

Wednesday she didn't poop, but peed at some point during the day. I'm not exactly sure what time that was. 

Friday she pooped again before I even got to work. Again she didn't have a pee accident. 

I'm not sure what is happening. I'm calling this the anxiety poop. She had ample time to go potty before I left, but she doesn't potty on command. She also doesn't potty on leash. We went for a 4.5 mile walk the other day and not even a tinkle. Is the poop about being afraid because she's left home? Is there a trick to get her to empty before I leave? I'm not sure about the random pee either. I know she can hold it. Some days she chooses to and other days she doesn't. It doesn't seem like getting a dog walker will help if she potties immediately after I leave. It's already too late by the time the dog walker would come. 

Overall she's doing so much better. I just can't figure out what to do to help her with this. It's such an odd issue. 

Thanks! Stacy

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I love your last post. You and she have made so much progress. I’m thrilled for her — and for you. You can see your hard work paying off. Hooray, happy dance. 

[Stacy]

We really have made so much progress! And I'm also thrilled. I'm so lucky to have her in my life. She's my sweet baby. 

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Everyone has had such good thoughts and ideas. Even though it seems to be very much to be behavioral, what about moving her breakfast to an hour or so earlier? Sometimes just changing the routine up a bit can be helpful in breaking a bad habit. Just a thought....

[Stacy]

You might be on to something there. We were up early this morning, because I thought we might be able to go for a walk before work but the weather didn't cooperate. But I waited her out outside until she finally pooped right before  left and I came home to no pee or poop accidents. Perhaps she's getting the hang of this. But I hate to get my hopes up, because it's just one day. I hope we can figure it out for all the days ahead!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

But at least one day is one day you don't have to clean up! and one day that doesn't reinforce Maggie going potty inside.

[Stacy]

We had 2 days in a row without any accidents. I'm hoping this is the start of a new habit. I have my fingers crossed! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yay! Fingers crossed here too.

But the Jewish mother in me also has to say Kina Hora (knock on wood). LOL 

[Stacy]

Keep knocking on everything! 3 days no accidents! I definitely don't want to jinx it, and I wouldn't go as far as to say she's completely housebroken, but this is so encouraging! I'm hoping I can transition her into the house by herself at some point in the near future. I don't know what has changed, except we are spending even more time outside before I leave. Maybe she's realizing that this is her house and she should keep it clean. But everything seems to be falling into place. It's wonderful when my efforts seem to pay off. I hope she's as happy here as I am to have her here. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

That is so great!  Glad to hear things are going well.

I think it's mostly a "mindset" adjustment for them and once they figure it out (assuming their bladders are ready if they're puppies) then it's smooth sailing from there.

[Amy and Annabelle]

Fingers crossed for day 4. It sounds like you are on the right track. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Dogs peeing and pooping are not accidents.  She may be a little nervous when you leave and eliminating may help her to relax a little.  Some dogs learn to eliminate on command and that is great.  I had one doodle who would always pee and poop on command, even if it was just a tiny bit.  He thought that he would get to go with me in the car after he had relieved himself.  Are you worried about the dog poop sitting around all day while you are at work?

[Stacy]

I'm mostly worried about the dog pooping inside at all. Poop is for outside. It limits where we're able to go and what we're able to do. A reliably house trained dog is invited a lot of places. One who potties inappropriately, not so much. 

I think we're making progress, but I have to be very cognizant of when she last pottied. She doesn't always immediately potty when we go outside. And if I miss that she didn't go, she's going to go inside instead. But we're still working on it.