Expert: Kaza - 3/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, we have an almost 10 month old bichon frise and she's really sneaky.. We crate trained her 100% since she is a puppy.  And when we first got her i took her outside every hour and then more if she's drank water and if she was playing.  And decreased the amount as she got older.  Now, we take her out once in the morning when she wakes up, once in the afternoon when i get home from school, and once before she goes to bed.

I know you'll think leaving a bichon home while i'm at school is bad (sepeartion anxiety) but I trained her since she was 3 months that me leaving etc is nothing to be afraid of.  I give her a peice of kibble or a small treat, leave, get the keys, come back. did it repetitively for longer and longer periods until it was the full 6 hours so no worries.

I know she doesn't have a UTI because she holds it while i'm at school and she knows that she isn't allowed to pee in the house.  Everytime she goes potty outside i give her5 a little piece of her favourite treat.

When she goes in the house, i say "bad potty' and put her outside and leave her there for aobut 3-5 minutes and then take her back in.  After a while i take her outside and if she goes i give her a treat saying 'good potty'.  she gets the point because when she pees in the house she gets all guilty.

Before she used to bark when she needed to go but now she just goes if she can't hold it anymore.  I know bichons are hard to housebreak but i've read EVERYTHING and tried everything there she's still not housebroken.  She tends to not have accidents for about 3 weeks and then there will be one.

The thing is she does things behind our back (like eating soil out of the plant pots etc) and she knows she's not allowed because when she sees that we saw her she leaves.

PLEASE help, my parents are getting tired of it.

ANSWER: I know you wont like what I am about to say, its not personal but, a bichon is a people dog, they must have interaction and to leave her for so long is creating a dog that is insecure, withdrawn, depressed and is likely to lead to a much earlier death for this little one. 3 hours is the absolute max I would leave any bichon alone at home.
These are terriers and must be stimulated at all times, they need toys, and most of all they need constant reassurance.

I would try to split your day up so you can come home to allow her to toilet, or have a sitter do it.Also she is ready for her first heat by now and this may be making her more nervous.

A far better choice would be a lab .

For more help please go to my site and read all about what she is going through right now.
www.eurobichons.com

good luck with her


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: She's been spayed.

But a lab sheds and arent they people dogs too? :S most dogs are aren't they? because its most people who have dogs leave them at home while they're kids are at school and at work.

thanks

Answer
Ok so she is spayed (well done ) it doesnt really matter because the real issue as I have said is she is bored and needs stimulation, the length of time she is being left is too long.
Labs are generally more laid back they are happy with their own company, Bichons are terriers and that comes with so much baggage genetically.
The only way to deal with this is to go back to basics , but that is gonna be so much harder because she is alone for long periods.
You mention her digging the plants, that is what terriers do, they love this kind of play, its natural.
BUY HER SOME TOYS THAT YOU HIDE TREATS IN, THEY ROLL AND OCCASIONALLY SOME FALL OUT WHEN SHE HITS THE BALL.
Also at this age Bichons go through a really naughty stage, they often forget to perform tasks that previously they will have done so well, this can go for up to 2 months, this could be her time.
Whatever you do please be patient with her, dont scold her just simply keep repeating the reinforcement that she needs to get through these little tantrums.

Good luck