calliecritturs
Posted : 6/11/2006 10:42:16 PM
The oritinal poster hasn't been back since they posted this -- so I'm gonna try to be helpful here. Wouldn't be MY choice either, but I don't live on the 24th floor either.
My 'guess' of why is two-fold.
A) The wee pad is too close to the sleeping or eating area.
B) The more likely scenario *I think* is that one of the reasons dogs can be so hard to litter train/pee pad train on a permanent basis is because they don't LIKE to do things in "one spot". Dogs like to mark their territory -- this dog may have been scolded at one time for going ON the carpet but feels a need to mark there to 'moving' it may make sense to the dog.
Soooo -- a long box (like two boot trays laid end to end) so the dog has a 'choice' might work. Pee here, poop there.
The *correction* however would be the same ... you put the dog in its crate (you don't let them SEE you handle their waste ever .. it is somehow rewarding to them). and go pick up the offending poop and move it back ON the wee pad where you want it to go. Then go get the dog *on leash* (yes even in the house -- you want this to be totally directed by you) take the dog to the place where you moved it back to and show the dog YOU moved it back to the place *you* want it. You verbally reinforce "there ... *not* there".
Very often (and this is not a sweeping statement because obviously some of you HAVE done this) it is tough to train a dog to elminate in a litter box or pee pads simply because they aren't -- by nature -- happy going in the same spot. They may USE it, but will often mark elsewhere in the house. And honestly, I think you have to be truly vigilant about teaching the dog TO elminate outside as well. I've seen people simply keep their dogs inside 24/7 and dogs NEED fresh air and exercise.
Generally tho, when you take the time to 're-locate' their waste and then take them back to the scene of the crime and point out that YOU moved their waste to a place of your choosing, they will try and do what you want.