February 11, 2014

White Dog rolled her eyes. "She is a certifiable nutcase! I love you, momma, but don't expect that kind of loyalty from ME!"

Last week we posted about our Tiny Dancer and the discovery that she has been marking our bed. Steve cleverly bought a plastic sheet that we now use to protect the linens and blankets when we are not in bed. It is a delicate dance since we are still working on gaining Bella's trust but need to break this behavior pattern without trauma. It is not a matter of going out; we have a doggie door and she uses it. Initially the plastic sheet detoured her since she did not like the noise or the feel of it under her paws. But the past two days we have found puddles...but always only on the bed.

The key, we believe, is to understand the pattern of this behavior and why she is choosing to mark the bed as opposed to other possibilities. Today we put together a few more pieces of the puzzle.

My Bella Bee, is my constant companion. She follows me everywhere, including the bathroom. If I am in there for more than a few seconds, she will prance the 10 feet to the bedroom for a drink of water...and as it turns out, a potty break of her own. The closeness allows her to still hear me (and if I even turn on the water to wash my hands, she is right back beside me).

Steve, as we worked together today, noticed that every time I needed a break that Bella saw me into the loo and then jumped up on the bed. After an episode in the afternoon, he put the cleaner away and put his hand on my shoulder.

"I believe that you and Miss Bella E. Premuroso may take the Gold for Urine Elimination, Mixed Species Pairs." He said laughing. "She doesn't want to go out and maybe miss you moving so when you go, she does too...on the bed." I would really rather, if we are to work through this co-dependence, that she relieved herself actually next to me in the bathroom. Cleanup would be much easier and poor White Dog could again nap on the bed in comfort. But the ultimate goal is to get her to return to using the dog door and yard.

The next step is going to take some thought. How to solve this problem without undoing the progress we have made in overcoming her fears is a challenge. I hope I will not have to set up outdoor facilities for myself in order to lure my little girl out to the proper pup pottying ground.