One of the things that I would recommend is to only take her out for 5 minutes at a time. One hour is a long time for a puppy, and now outside becomes more about exploring, walking, playing, etc...rather than pottying.
Take her out for 5 minutes. If she doesn't go, she goes back inside and one of two things happens.
1--You leave her out and watch her like a HAWK. You try again maybe 10 minutes later (but keep an eye on her for any signs), try again 5 minutes later if it's close to one of her potty times, if she just woke up, just ate, or just finished playing.
OR
2--You crate her and again, take her out about 10-15 minutes later
The key with puppies is to try your best to not let her make any mistakes. I remember a time when we were taking Lexi out every 10-15 minutes when we were home.
If you take her out and just give her a few minutes, she'll start to think it isn't fun time, it's time for her to do her job. When she does pee, say "go potty" or whatever command you want to use, and reward her for going outside. If she doesn't just ignore her and bring her back in.
I was staying outside so long to "wait her out", so she wouldn't make a mistake, so I could praise her. We were also working on our leash skills and that whole tire out the dog thing. I guess I'll give the short time only a try.
I've been watching her like a hawk, and my hawk eyes have watched her drop trou before I can move a muscle! I don't want a piddle trail across the floor, so I let her finish and then take her out in hopes of giving her the right idea and the possibility of #2 to follow.
We go outside immediately after coming out of the crate, after meals and every hour while she is in the playpen or my lap.
We're using the "Get busy" command.
I've been successful with my previous mutts, a Doberman and an Irish Setter - who was absolutely beautiful, but certainly the dumbest dog I've ever met in my life.
My Collie is almost completely house trained at 9 weeks. She already sleeps on the bed with us without accidents. (I know, I know, but we like the dogs in the bed with us.) She can come, sit and we are now working on down.
Sasha is now 10 weeks old. I see that Shelties are supposedly the #6 smartest breed. I don't know if maybe I have an ADHD or otherwise psychotic kid. I keep seeing how "Shelties are different", "Shelties don't respond to the usual training methods", yada yada yada.
That's why I've found my way here and other sites like YouTube clips on training, reading books - to try to learn how and why she is different than every other dog I've been able to train. I certainly don't think I'm some great pro at this, but I have never failed miserably like this. And I have never thought about giving up a dog either....
Thank you all for your suggestions and comments.
