Settling In

Dakota is 10 weeks old and has grown to 11lbs. She's visited the vet, had vaccinations, de-worming, an antiobiotic for an ear infection and lots of time to get used to the family. She is successfully crate trained! Hurray! She goes willingly into the crate and sleeps all through the night without whining or "accidents".

House training is going well....but, it's really more about us being trained than Dakota right now. House

training is the primary focus of my entire day and I see the time when Dakota is successfully house trained as the key to freedom. We've learned several important things, including all the "signs" to watch for.

1. First thing in the morning, TAKE HER OUT! But, one time pooping is only the beginning....STAY OUTSIDE for round two of number two!
2. When you see her trotting down the hallway toward the back door - TAKE HER OUT! It's hot and Dakota needs to drink a lot of water.....that means she also needs plenty of opportunities to pee - Yesterday, she peed on her way to the back door - then laid down by the door until I came to let her out. She's beginning to understand that the urge to pee means "go outside", but she's still working on control!
3. When she starts sniffing intently around the room - TAKE HER OUT! (Even if she just came in!)
4. When she whimpers at your feet - TAKE HER OUT!
5. When she first wakes up from a nap - TAKE HER OUT!
6. Within 15 to 20 minutes after eating - TAKE HER OUT!
7. If you see her squat - interrupt! and (you know what I'm going to say) TAKE HER OUT!
8. BIG BONUS - she won't go while sitting on your lap, or resting in your arms, or being carried outside or while she's in her crate. So any change from one of those relaxed states can mean you need to .....TAKE HER OUT!

See how well trained I am? : )