Hiya,

A year or so ago my partner and i adopted a jack russel bitch who is 11/12. She had always slept upstairs with the previous owners and had the run of the house. This arrangement didnt suit us so we tried at first keeping her in a separate bedroom, she used to scratch and mess during the night so i moved her downstairs to the kitchen.
The kitchen doesnt have a door so we lock her in with a baby gate but every night she scratches, wee's and poo's (she does do it on the newspaper we leave which i suppose is one thing!) but this is getting boring!!
I have tried the thing of a t-shirt of mine in her bed which doesnt work! Also tried a squirt of water in the face and a sharp no when she has done wrong. From my bed i can shout 'no' and she wil scurry back to bed, but 5 mins later she is scratching again and jumping at the gate!!!

First problem to solve is the weeing and poo's in the morning (she can go all night without going if she sleeps upstairs with us). Is it ok to tell and animal off a while after she has done this? does she know what she has done wrong?
Second problem is how to stop the scratching once and for all!!!

Sorry this is lenghty but hopefully someone can help!!

Alex