Lucy is on prednisone for allergy itch relief. She is now on low dose of 1/2 pill every other day. However, even that low dose increases her thirst and fluids in equals fluids out. And, there was 'fluid' on my kitchen floor this morning.

Now, she does have a cue for night time pee sessions but it is the same cue as when she needs comfort in the dark. Lucy is still afraid in the dark, even though she has improved.

The comfort cue is: tap me on the forehead, I move my head over. Then, tap me on the hips, I scooch over more, then tap me on my leg and I move over more. (I am well trained). She then settles in the warm spot, sighs, and begins snoring. The only difference between the pee cue and the comfort cue is she doesn't snuggle, but sits and stares at me after the tap(s) on my forehead. (She came up with that on her own).

This morning I slept through the staring because I am sooo used to the comfort cue and I have worked so many over time hours, I didn't 'feel' the stare.

She is also trained not to bark at night unless she hears something unusual outside so the only thing she could do was pee on the linoleum in the kitchen. She was cautious of me this morning and she kept waiting for me to punish her. I calmly cleaned the mess up (after I wiped my bare feet off), and fed her like normal.

I need to figure out a different cue for her to use EVERY time she needs to go out. I won't hear bells on the living room door because I am over 50% deaf in one ear and close to that in the other, so does anyone have any ideas?

Hi Jo,

Some people use having the dog put their paw on a body part...your knee or foot, for example. Not sure if that would seem different enough to you in your sleep.

Face or hand licks?<g>

leih

Hi Jo, I just have to say, your relationship with Lucy is so wonderful - the change you've made in this old girl's understanding of life is tremendous and she's SO lucky you found her.

And as to your question, what about licking you? Could be on the hand, or the face (whichever is not under the covers). This is Oscar's first method of alert when he's trying to get us up - one giant snout to the face.

~Natalya

Maybe lucy can be trained to turn on the light in your bed room.

Would you hear a bell next to your bed?

All great suggestions! Light...no...Lucy can't reach the light switch.

Licking or snout? Well, she has unbent enough from her dignity to greet me with a very quick lick to chin when I come home. I could work from that. Odd, that never occured me!

I could install a touch lamp on the floor, but then, she would touch it so she wouldn't be in the dark...then I wouldn't be asleep! Great idea though. I think I will hold that in the back of my mind.

On to a plan to marker train a lick to the face, then a lick to the face on command, then a lick to the face prior to going out to pee, and we will see how long it takes her to associate!
Thanks!

****I do think I will train the bell too, for fun! Then, add a reason for it later...I will think of one. ( )

Edited by Jo Harker (10/23/2009 09:00 AM)
Edit reason: added bell

 Quote: Natalya Zahn

Hi Jo, I just have to say, your relationship with Lucy is so wonderful - the change you've made in this old girl's understanding of life is tremendous and she's SO lucky you found her.
~Natalya

Thank you. I am lucky I found her. I am so filled with love for this little dog. And high hopes, too.

How about training her to push one of those easy buttons from Staples!

You push it and it says something, although at this moment I can't remember.

Or one of those push lights that go under your cabinets for more counter light. She could be trained to push it and turn on the light, so you can see her signal instead of hear the signal.

That's an interesting idea!

Update:

Bells didn't work.
I did teach her to touch nose to nose (her bristles tickle!) standing over me until I acknowledged her and got up. She is accident free in the house.