Expert: Kaza - 1/4/2008

Question
We purchased a nine (9) month old female Bichon 12/18/07 and were assured she was housebroken.  She is not.  I am at wits end trying to teach her what to do.  When she does go pee and/or poop we praise her.  I thought she'd follow the example of our other two bichons but she does not.  She does not even seem to understand the word potty/pp/poopoo.  I stay with her outside (in the cold) forever and she comes in and pees - she holds her urine for a long time I think. I am desperate as she is such a sweet little girl.  We're taking her to get spayed on the 14th.  I am trying the cage (is that the same as a "crate"?) but it only worked one day after the night. Our dogsitter when we traveled tried also - crate, outside, crate.  Poor baby even pooped in her cage when she was left alone for an hour and didn't even seem to mind stepping in it. I don't think she was abused but wonder what happened. The people were moving and won't return my calls as I was going to ask them again what their buzz words/action was to get her outside - maybe their brown carpet fooled them?!  Thanks for listening to my sob story and I hope you have suggestions.  Lillian

Answer
Poor Lillian
You are far too desperate and its being passed thru to Missy Bichon. Make it fun for her, play with her outside until she goes then say Good Girl , NO BICHON is hard to toilet Train no matter what you read.
Games are how to win this one over .
iN THIS INSTANCE i WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT YOU TO MY BICHON HEALTH SITE, because I know that is were you need to be for the training that needs to be done here, talking with other owners that have been in your situation will reassure you that within 6 months (id even say 3) you will be laughing at yourself and saying "Why was I so concerned"
Please go to my site as otherwise I would be writing her for about 2 days
www.eurobichons.com
I can assure you we can resolve this very soon so relax and enjoy her xx