tacran
Posted : 6/11/2006 3:52:01 PM
We've lived in two states with extreme weather (Oregon - driving rain, wind, miserable temps, and Connecticut - subzero temps, blizzards, solid ice everywhere). Tonka had to face the worst conditions. Tonka weighed about 130 pounds, so the thought of his waste being in the house was not something I'd consider. Yes, there were days when we couldn't take him out (once my DH fell down the icy front steps while trying to chip a path for us to make a quick potty trip to the yard). We'd create paths thru snow and ice, put warm clothes and booties on us and the dogs, but still, there were times Tonka would stand his ground firmly and not take a step even after we dragged him out there. On those days (maybe 6 times a year), we'd head back in, and he'd hold it as long as possible. He let us know when he'd waited enough, and finally we'd go out and he'd do his business very quickly (with a pathetic look on his face) and head directly back to the house!
Former neighbors of ours worked retail and in the weeks before Christmas, their dog would be inside for 12 hours. They put pads out in case she was desperate, or in case one of us neighbors weren't available to take her out. It was a good solution for them. I've heard of these little garden boxes that have grass growing in them that high-rise folks can put on a patio for dogs to use. I've never seen one, but the concept is neat.
I guess it's good to have lots of options, but for me, walking Tonka twice a day was the only exercise I got, so I forced myself out there, rain or shine. I used to wish I could train him to use a toilet like I've heard people do with cats!