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.

Aw. I also forget she's not a puppy. They are quick learners, and she'll figure it out soon.

Man, all the wires around my desk are conspiring against me!!

My mom's rat terrier wanted "Good-girl" props for about year after she was housebroken. She'd get disappointed if you forgot.