Hello friends!

A few months ago I adopted the cutest, sweetest, most loving, cuddly little rat terrier from Helping Hands Humane Society.  I visited the shelter for a few weeks prior, and every time I'd pet little Winnie and she'd lick my hand, it seemed to be a match made in heaven.  I only had eyes for Winnie.

I soon brought her home; I was so naive.

The first thing she did was -- excuse my language -- poop in the house.  But that's to be expected, right?  A new environment for her, new stresses, a CAT, etc.  I've never house-trained a dog before.  Actually, I've never even thought about it.  But I figured I'd just take her outside and give her treats and stuff.  Well that was just the beginning.

Winnie stays in a crate (I call it her "crib") when I'm at work, and EVERY DAY, I come home... to... poop.  Sometimes it will be a neat little mess, and sometimes she'll dance around in it, and then I'll come home and she'll try to jump on me with her little poop paws.  It's really gross but she's so adorable. 

Long story short, I am not a good house-trainer.  Nor am I a good crate-trainer.  I've tried a smaller crib, I turn the radio on, give her blankets that smell like me, poop, poop and more poop.  I don't think it's what or when I'm feeding her because she can sleep through the night (out of her crib) without having an accident.  I think it's separation anxiety or something.  I think she's doing it to punish me.

Has anyone heard of a thundershirt?  My Facebook friends and I were talking about them -- maybe one would calm her while I'm away at work.  Check them out at www.thundershirt.com.  I think I'll get one, and do a story on it.

Otherwise, has anyone experienced this?  It took a lot to share. haha.  Please help me.  Please.

Wish me luck!