potty problems

Question
my mom and dad have a westie, 5months old, when my dad entered the hospital needless to say her schedule got interrupted. Mom had to keep her in a kennel all day while visiting my father, at least 6 hours a day for 6 days. when my things got back to normal they found they now have a hard time getting her to go potty outside. They walk her for a long time and she will poop, but not pee, when they get her home she then pee's on the puppy pad, or on the floor. No matter what they do she will not pee outside now. can you offer any advice at all? i appreciate all your help and your time.

Answer
Dear Jan,

Thanks for writing. I hope your dad is recovering well.

It's not unusual for dogs to have setbacks with potty training. Place a "used" potty pad outside wherever you want her to eliminate. The smells of previous elimination will help trigger the act.

Please don't scold her for urinating inside. This will only teach her that eliminating near people is "dangerous". Dogs that have been scolded in the past are likely to "hold it" when outside next to people. These guys will eliminate inside as soon as they can get away from their people.

Try the pads outside. That should help.

Alan J Turner
"Teach Your Dog to Ring a Bell" Free instructions at http://howsbentley.com