I have a 3 1/2 year old German shepherd/Doberman female named Mokka. Last month, I separated from my husband and moved to an apartment from our house. I have left Mokka with my husband as we have a yard for her to run around in, but I go every day as soon as I get off work and visit her for several hours and I walk her. When the house is sold, I plan on moving Mokka with me to the apartment, which by the way, I have taken her quite a few times. Number 1, she is nervous and whines when we are at the apartment and # 2, she has never gone to the bathroom when she is on a walk or anything. She waits until we get back to the house and then runs to the patio door to be let out.
She will learn right to use the bathroom on her leash?
Is there a way to make the transition from the house to the apartment easier? My husband says we should give her away as it is unfair to have her in an apartment, but alot of people in my complex have big dogs.

Thank your for your help with this problem.

Vivian

Salli: I don't think you need to give her up at all, provided you will have time for her when she moves in with you. Apartment dogs are very often better behaved and better exercised than they're "fenced back yard" counterparts simply because of the effort required. My hat is off to you for making this commitment to your dog.
The more time Mokka spends at the apartment the more she will get used to it. I would suggest you pick her up after work and bring her to the apartment to hang out and take a walk etc. rather than doing those things back at the house. Any whining or fussing should be ignored completely. You should act like this is your home now and be as relaxed as possible. She will take her cues from you. As far as eliminating on the leash, you should enlist your husband's help to see that she is now walked only on a leash first thing in the morning and at other times when you know she really has to go. Once she figures out this is her only option she will get the hang of it quickly.

Best of luck
Salli