Man, I miss my cleaning ladies. Once I get my last vacation loan paid off, I'm hiring them back.

Ok, because I have to share this somewhere, I had the weirdest dream last night. Wtf. I had gotten back together with an ex (who IRL lives in another country and I haven't seen in four or more years) and stole her from her gf...but also somehow that meant I had to take on the gf's pregnancy. Only she still wanted to be part of it. So I was suddenly six months pregnant, but also hanging out in a friendly way with both of them separately. And then there was a big earthquake but the buildings near us fell down but ours was ok. Them my mom was there at a picnic table in the rubble with us, because she was a doctor and helping out. (Again, IRL my mom is not a doctor. And pregnancy can't be transferred. And the ex's wife already HAD their baby)

Anyway. So weird. Also, why does it feel recently like I'm only getting good sleep in the last couple hours of sleep--like I'm sleeping more peacefully once it's light out??

Nillybaby cuteness!!

That's all I got. But it's enough.

Housebreaking a dog is hard. I'm feeling really stressed.

My mom is coming out here to help. She doesn't know any more about housebreaking a dog than I do, but at least it'll be another person to clean up and take her for walks, and I'll be able to go to the store and stuff without leaving Buffy home alone.

Practice a loud "No" for when you catch her circling or sniffing or squatting (you'll learn her warning signs pretty quick). Then grab her and whisk her outside. You basically have to have one eye on her whenever she's awake for a while. Always take her out IMMEDIATELY when she first wakes up or finishes a meal. Praise her whenever she goes. You have to be hypervigilant at first and it seems like it will go on forever, then they just...get it.

I suggest hanging a little bell (like a sleigh bell) from a ribbon, by the door. When Buffy rings the bell with her nose, it means she wants to out. Worked great for my friends M&C. Everytime you take her out, (when not in rush to keep from peeing on floor mode) ring her bell with her nose, and ask if she wants to go out. Then when she does it, give her a treat. It's very Pavlovian. But, works. Eventually. If you have a PetSmart that has puppy lessons, sign up for those too.

(Disclaimer, I am not a puppy owner. Just what I've observed from friends who have puppies)

God bless cats, you politely show them the litter box, they look it over and indicate approval, and the subject generally doesn't need to be addressed at all.

Ideally. Hubby has occasionally gotten into Who's The Alpha Male in This House, Bucko? fights with our cats. It's kind of amusing, when we're not washing pillows.

I am not convinced teaching the dog to make even more annoyance than they are already capable of is a good thing. I guess it depends on the personality of the dog, whether they are the type that constantly wants to go out just because.

Hil, I agree that it takes constant vigilence for the first little while, and acceptance that things may get a little peed on as you snatch her up and run for the door. But once they get it it goes pretty quickly.

Well, she's not requiring all that much vigilance right now. She's flopped out on the couch, half asleep. I did have the electric blanket on, but then I realized that could be dangerous if she peed on it, so I turned it off.