November 21 2014
So today I'm testing my poop theory - after breakfast, we just went out for a piddle and no walk. I figure I'll solve a couple problems by walking him during lunch instead. That solves the problem of walking in the pitch dark when there are a ton of people and cars around, and it might get him on a once-a-day poop schedule and free me from frustration. We'll see!
Got home from work for the weekend - went piddles, but he wasn't interested in pooping yet. So we did some training.
WHAAAAHOOOOOO!!  Milton knows "down"!  Mom's doing a happy dance.  What a smart and handsome boy!
About midafternoon, while I was on the computer, Milton sent me a message by going to the top of the stairs, lying down, and looking at me. I didn't catch on right away, then I heard him go all the way down the stairs.  Ah ha!  Yep, it was poop time.  So he's sending me signals and I'm learning to read them.  What a smart and beautiful mom!  ;-)
When we came back in, he looked across the street at a neighbor doing some yard work and did a little growl, but that was it. A few weeks ago, he tensed up at the end of the leash and barked and barked.
Progress!