Day 9

We finally have our first piddle on the newspaper in the dining room.

It's been a week since my last post, and there has been literally no urinating in the house at all.... at least, that we have found.

Part of our motivation to try a new training effort so late in Blue's life is that we desperately needed to replace the carpet that he helped so diligently to soil.  So to protect the new carpeting and pad, I decided to try some techniques that I had learned in my Intro to Psyche class.  I had to change MY behavior to create a change in Blue's behavior.  I had to be very conscious of how I spoke (and facial expressions).  Even if I was frustrated I could exhibit no negative energies.  I had seen a documentary that demonstrated that dogs are one of the few animals that are actually able to read human facial expressions.  Blue is VERY sensitive to any harsh words or anger.  You can slap him with a word.

Operant conditioning is the positive reinforcement of a naturally occurring behavior.  Since I am never able to catch him peeing.... negative reinforcement is just not an option.

For whatever reason, up to today, the newspaper kept Blue from peeing in the dining room.  I began to have hope that perhaps when the old carpet and pad were removed, Blue would not urinate on the new carpeting.  I even had the idea that should an incident occur, I should cover the area with newspaper as a deterrent. Fortunately, (knock on cyber wood) this has not occurred.

We will continue to be diligent in our walkings, as Blue is very vocal when he wants to go for a walk.  My partner, Chuck, has been home during the day for a while, but when he returns to work, the dogs will come to work with me (a perk to being your own boss).  I don't want them left alone for more than 4 hours.  I want to insure that this positive, non-peeing-in-the-house behavior continues.

Dr. Reuter made a comment this week that stuck with me.  Perhaps Blue was training me, not the other way around.