AboutPatti Expertise To date, I've owned 7 dogs, all of which have lived into old age.
Having cared for them in all stages of life, I feel I can offer sound advice to other pet owners, and people considering getting a dog.
I am knowledgeable about the AKC (American Kennel Club) dog breeds, training and exercise, caring for sick and elderly pets, feeding, as well as many holistic treatments pets can benefit from.
My only request is that you write me using standard English and punctuation.
Experience My life experience in this field is more like "on the job training" rather than an actual degree in animal welfare. You may benefit from my experiences over the past 30 years.
Aside from the dogs I've owned, I'm also involved in "breed rescue" and have fostered several dogs, all of which have been adopted to wonderful "forever homes".
I find helping people who want a dog very rewarding.
Question Hello, We have recently adopted a rescue dog. I am not sure how to teach her that the yard is the place for pees & poops. We have trained 3 dogs since puppies but she is already 3. They play outside & most of the time she just goes because she is already out. However, I don't think she really understands to go to the patio door & let us know when she had to go otherwise. She has been going at our front door on occasion & I don't know how to get her to understand that the patio door is the door to go to. I have been trying the same things we did with the pups but because her & our other dog go out there to play all the time I don't know how to teach her it is also the place for bathroom stuff. Please offer me an idea of how to work with this because otherwise she is a lovely little dog & is learning other rules. Thanx very much, Vicki.
Answer
Hi Vicki,
Your new rescue dog will learn to go to one specific door to go outside through repetition. You should only be taking her outside from the door you want her to use. Another thing is, when you take your dog out strictly for "potty time" use a phrase, so that she knows its time to potty not just play. Any phrase word will do, "Go Potty", "Do your business", etc. just be consistent in using it.
