[Malika]

Hi there! Thanks for taking a sec to open this up. I need help.

I just got a puppy very recently and I have lots of time, energy, patience, etc. I work right next to home so she's not alone for long periods, etc. I go home on coffee breaks and lunch.

My training technique has been, so far (with the hope of remaining consistent), based on a book that suggests ignoring her for five minutes after being separated. It seems to be going well most of the time, but now onto my question/problem:

When I get home, I calmly let her out of her crate and try to stay calm and ignore her sometimes desperate attempts to get my attention. Sometimes she pees or poops during that time. How am I going to train her to wait until the walk to do that? I've never yelled at her and am trying to use positive reinforcment. She's not being rewarded nor punished for peeing or pooping. My plan is to reward her once we start going on walks (just around the corner...maybe this weekend).

Maybe I need to talk to a Amichien Bonding trainer? Please help reassure me that I can continue down this path, or get the **** off of it.