Ok, so as I’ve posted before, I’ve gotten a puppy. The original male I was going to bring home died of Parvo, but I got his female littermate, who is very healthy and happy. She’s 13 weeks old. She was in a dog shelter for around 4 weeks, where she learned she could go to the bathroom in her crate. I think I’ve mostly got her broken of that habit, but there’s another issue.
I’ve got her on a schedule, and since right now I’m between work, I have time to try to train her. The only problem is, she is scared to go through the door, and also to go down stairs. I can sometimes coax her through the door, but never down the steps. I end up having to pick her up to carry her down to her spot. The problem with that is that she hasn’t connected door=potty spot. I think she’s figured out not to go inside, and has only had one or two accidents. I’ve caught her in both, and taken her right outside. I’m doing the things you’re supposed to do with housebreaking, but without her figuring out the door, she can’t signal to me when she needs to go out. Although I’m keeping her on the schedule now, I’m looking for suggestions to teach her what the door means. I guess. This is kinda confused and rambling at this point. Any ideas?