So I have a 6 month old terrier mix and he’s my world. However he’s stubborn and potty training has been hellish for me. I think I just don’t understand how things connect for dogs but I’ve just followed advice from folks here, IRL, and honestly made up my own way all focused around setting him up for success.

He’s only recently started alerting me when he might need to go and it consists of a look saying “ummm hello???” And sitting by my room door. If my doors open then he’ll sit at the top or bottom of the stairs.

Fast forward to today. I’m sick. Like had to call out of work, can’t move without massive pain, sick. No one was here to help me take care of him and after taking him out in the morning I nearly passed out. So I said I was going to have to rely on puppy pads until my sister got home to take over dog sitting.

Somehow the dog gods were on my side because for about 4 hours, I wasn’t able to take him outside and he kept waking up from sleep to play and back to sleep. There were several times I thought he’d have already peed on the pad but he hadn’t. Instead he would just stand by the door and give me the look and until felt stable enough to go outside. I just took him and he did his business and then stood by the gate waiting to go inside. Not only did he perfectly execute without getting distracted by my crappy loud neighbors or his toys, but also he stopped digging when I called him out and redirected.

I don’t have a clue if that means he’s getting it but I am really proud of him right now.