Hello there! We just adopted two IG's about 5 weeks ago. They have been a wonderful addition to our family (we have a 3 1/2 year old). Everyone gets along very good. We love how "human" they act, which is a the perfect fit in our household. This is the first time we have IG, we previously had a "Great Dane", so it is quite different, but in a good way. The previous owner had a doggie door at home, so the doggies where able to go out as they pleased. I am wondering if anyone had some useful info. on how to help them with the transition of going outside and/or using a litter box. They are both 7 years old, but I have read that IT IS possible to train an adults. Like any other IG they hate when it's cold or wet outside and since it is spring, I am trying to make everyones life much easier. Any suggestions, will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Breu,
We have 2 IGs like you, we live in CA so right now it is very nice outside but I know what you are talking about in the cold weather, they hate going outside. We basically just try and predict when they need to go to the bathroom (in the morning first thing, and if they start that smelling around thing, you can bet they are thinking about going in the house somewhere) and then we lead them outside. They eventually figured out that is where they need to go. On rainy and/or cold days when they are inside we have some layered newspaper that we place in a designated spot that is "OK" to go on and the female goes on the newspaper. The male is a bit more difficult since we did not neuter him until he was almost 2 and he had been marking. Due to this, we had him on a diaper system but recently weened him off. He goes on the paper or outside about 75% of the time, and we have been dealing with the other 25% which is tolerable only because we have no carpet in our house (its all hardwood or tile). But he is getting better as we lead him out/praise him when he does go outside or on the paper.
Good luck with your 2 IGs!
[quote=mike]
Hi Mike, thank you for the info. Do you by any chance limit their water at night? It seems like most of the accident occur at this time and even though they have a designated area....they do not quite make it over there. Just wondering.
thx