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April 4, 2007
Nisa's Dilemma or "Battle of the Mat"
We have been trying for some time to train Nisa to use a "potty mat" (a green welcome mat) on the boat for those times when it is impossible to take her to shore to do her business. All of our attempts thus far have been a total failure. Maybe not so much failure as a result of Nisa's refusal to participate. I know Nisa understands what is being asked of her and she simply refuses to participate, much less comply.
This is the routine that played over and over last summer and fall: I put the mat on deck and showed her. Nisa sniffed it with feigned interest and then looked up at me with her usual smile. I gave the command "Do your business" - which I have used since she was a puppy - and she then sat on the mat and looked at me like I'd lost my mind. To punctuate how crazy she thinks I am, she will gaze longingly at the shore and give a few, loud, exaggerated sniffs in the same direction, as if to say "uh hum, the shore is there...I don't pee on no fake mat, now put that dinghy in the water and let's GO!"
This summer it may be imperative that she stay on the boat at times - I am thinking about the fact that we are headed to a part of the world with the greatest density of bears on the planet - and I don't want to leave her without options, i.e. the mat.
Having been unable to convince her of the need to use the mat, we sought out the big guns. We contacted the public radio show Calling All Pets. They took our call and you can hear it this coming weekend. We are the last call of the show. Take a listen and stay tuned for how Patricia McConnell's advice pans out.
Find out when Calling All Pets plays in your area, click here.
Posted by Michael at April 4, 2007 11:28 AM
Comments
This was a good laugh! We wanted to let you know that we can relate and that at first, we had the same dilemma with our pups. Nisa is not alone in her battle with the mat.... it took a lot of persistence but once one of our pups pee'd on the mat for the first time, they were both able to go when they had to.
We have a chocolate lab and a german short haired pointer who both love the water and would happily swim to shore or load up in the dinghy when we're at anchor. For those days when we can't get to shore, our mat is also a small green "welcome" mat on the foredeck of our Cal 25.
Colter and Bella much prefer going to the shore to do their business but for those days when we can't get to shore - the mat works well.
We met some boaters on one of our journeys who had a small rubbermaid bin with an actual piece of "sod" - real grass for their dog. If it's feasible, maybe Nisa would prefer real grass! ;)
Safe journeys!
Chris and Kara,
fellow sailors and tele-skiers....
Posted by: Kara Triance at April 8, 2007 10:29 AM
Nice interview. Hope it works.
Love,
Dad
Posted by: alan Sharp at April 7, 2007 8:47 AM
Hey, guys, have you tried peeing on the mat yourself, maybe taking a little sample of her "leavings" on shore back in your pocket (OK, in a plastic bag if you insist) and "baptizing" the mat with it so she knows it's supposed to smell like that? We brought a cat home once, a fastidious little thing...had to get a "starter" going in her brand-new cat box with the un-used litter in it before she realized that's what it was for. Good to hear from you! Mark Sutton, Portland, OR
Posted by: Mark Sutton at April 4, 2007 1:05 PM
Have you tried peeing on the mat?
Posted by: jasun at April 4, 2007 12:13 PM
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