The Bewitching Hour!

We’ve had five “accidents” – rather, HWHNN did since he came to stay.

The first night he was home, to be honest, he did go to Mummy at 19.30 and jumped up to look at her. She thought he was being needy and pushed him away so he doesn’t get too clingy. Oops! He went to the kitchen and almost managed to aim at the training pad – he aimed it half way.

Well, he did it again the second night, but not on training pad – was told “NO!” We think he got the message.  But Mummy noticed it was about the same time of night.

On our second day at home, Mummy had fed us breakfast and then got herself ready to take us out. Not quite what HWHNN had in mind. He couldn’t hold it in any more and did it on the runner!  Mummy wasn’t pleased but she got the idea that maybe she should keep him in the crate till she has prepared breakfast and then let him out.

So the next morning, she did just that. Well, he could hardly contain himself when he heard breakfast being prepared and he was still in the crate – so he had an accident in the crate where he sleeps. Mummy’s fault.

At this point, Mummy was a little worried if she would ever get it right. And that is one of the things that is holding her back from adopting Dinky. She isn’t relaxed when we’re at home – constantly watching him. Every time he runs off to another room, actually mainly the kitchen, she runs after him. But she kind of sussed that 19.30 might be the bewitching hour.

On Day 6, he apparently had a massive pee at 3pm – Mummy thought he’s surely ok till 8pm. Nope! At around 19.30 – he went to the kitchen for a wee-wee! Oops. Missed the training pad again. So it was another “NO!” – and he didn’t like being told and ran away to the next room. I think we’re getting a pattern here. And he’s also getting a message that was not acceptable.

But last night, as Mummy prepared herself mentally to take us both out at 19.30 – sure enough just about then, “He-Who-Has-No-Name” let out a bark at Mummy as he sat on the hallway runner. He has never barked like that at home. (And he has a funny little thinny bark – unlike my full chested, hearty bark!) Mummy jumped up from her seat immediately, picked up HWHNN, put the lead on me and ran down the stairs. Sure enough he was ready for his wee-wee! HOORAY! He’s learning fast!!! And he communicated his need.

May’s comment:  As he is a 2-year-old dog and not a puppy, it was difficult to gauge his pattern/timing. But it became apparent after a week that he has a 19.30 wee-wee every night. And he lasts the morning. But it wasn’t a guarantee that he could hold much later after we get up. So a new routine had started and Darcy has to go along with it – which is probably fine with her. It just means more time going outside.

Once up, straight out the door! Back for breakfast. Regardless of how many times he has been or hasn’t been, 19.30 seems to be his routine. We’re getting there. If we can sort this out, it will be better for all of us.  Come on HWHNN! You can do it!