Does your pup know where to go?

Interesting little issue popped up tonight from one of the pup families.

El-pupper does not want to do #1 or #2 unless said pupper is in the back yard at puppers home.

There are varied explanations for this, but if you think about it, these little critters are SO smart that while you are trying to tell them: "please do not do your business on the floor..."

They just might be hearing: "only do your business in the back yard, right here and nowhere else..."

(Anyone who might doubt this, has never been in a bible study...LOL...one sentence, 37 interpretations...)

While this might not sound like a big issue to worry about, think about that vacation you might want to take down the road. There are stories around of Shelties who are so ritualistic in their elimination habits that they will not poop for a week at a time/till they get home to their own yard. Some will even hold pee till it does damage.

If your pup shows signs of shy bladder unless he/she is in your yard at home, it might be time for a paper towel to be dropped on a piddle puddle and placed elsewhere...like in front of your home. The next time your furry bundle of joy asks for the door, grab the leash, walk out front and point to said paper towel (now with the proper scent on it) and encourage a new piddle spot other than the same exact spot used for training.

After the new spot has been baptized, a regular party of praise should follow.

Then again, you might not have this trouble at all.

However, if you think your pup leans in this direction...(one of them already does)...dealing with it right now will save you and pupper much emotional and possibly physical distress in the future. We all know how much easier good habits are to teach at 4 months than at a year.

Thanks for reading and hope all is well in furry BorderSheltie land!!!

J