[mrsalwayzwright]

So here is my dilemma. My Chihuahua/Shitzu will be turning 6 this December and she was potty trained to go outside in the yard fairly quickly. This is all she has known. My husband and I recently moved out of my parents' house and in with friends whom live in a condo. My lil girl will hold it and go when I walk her outside, but if we leave and she's alone, even for only 10-15 minutes she will go in the house on the carpet. There is a doggy door with access to the outside patio where there are potty pads and a tray with fake grass, but she is refusing to go to the bathroom out there, which I would really prefer. Any suggestions. I take her out every morning and throughout the day while I am home with her. But I don't want to hurt her by making her wait all day when I know she has to go. I'm starting to think there is no hope.

[lange]

Hi. Am I reading this right?.. (paraphrasing).. Your dog has never gone to the bathroom on the patio even in your presence? If not, you'll just have to retrain her like you did in the old home. You can leave a trace amount of her potty on the grass/pads so she can smell the scent on it. Then spend the day with her out there, and when she finally relieves herself praise her & treat her like there's no tomorrow.