The early months: Introducing a 7 month old puppy into the house is an exciting prospect, however two aspects, no three...um four? However there are many aspects which make this experience less pleasurable.

1. the puppy isn’t house trained.
2. the house isn’t puppy trained
3. the puppy isn’t really trained at all!

When Maya first arrived she’d pee on the carpet whenever I was busy. Not because she had to go, but (I believe) partly to get my attention, without her having to give me attention (I’ll explain that later), and maybe in an attempt to assert authority or lay claim to her new home. For many months I truly despaired that I would never have her house trained. What made things worse was the way she went about it. She would rarely do it in plain sight. Normally she would pee near the door which was obscured by the sofa, or would wait until I left the room and immediately leave a wet patch for my return. [Next]