posted 11-04-2003 07:02 AM         

I would go about it the same as a puppy. Take her out after she eats, sleeps, or plays. Take her out about once an hour in between. The good thing is, she can hold it longer than a puppy can.

Go outside with her, and teach her a command like "Go Potty" or "Hurry Up" or whatever you want to use. Say it to her, and then when she is going - right AS she is going - tell her "Good potty!" or "Good hurry up!" - you get the picture. Do this every time.

Always take her out the same door and go to the same place outside. If you have a doggie door so she can go outside whenever she wants to, it might make it even easier once she starts to catch on. We can't do this because our cats are indoor cats.

Watch her constantly when she is inside. Try to anticipate when she has to go - watch for sniffing and circling, and of course squatting. If you miss the signs and she starts to go, make a loud noise to startle her and bring her directly outside to finish. Clean up any messes right away with a odor neutralizer such as Nature's Miracle. If she makes a mess and you didn't catch her in the act, just clean it up. Scolding at that point does nothing.

I would confine her to one room to begin with, and only let her have more access to the house as she becomes reliable. Just like a puppy, crate her (or leave her outside, since she is used to it) when you can't watch her.

Make sure your husband realizes it may take a week or two to get her to be reliable and it may seem like a lot of work, but it's worth it!