need help getting pooch to do her duty on deck!

[bluewater]

Hellllp! I realize this is a tired subject in pet forums, but we need to try again because we're desperate to get our dog to do her business aboard.

We sailed from Oregon to Valdez, Alaska, last summer with our 6-year-old, 60lb Samoyed. She's exceptionally well trained and learns new things all the time, so we thought we'd have no trouble getting her to do her business on deck. We tried a fake grass welcome mat, even putting her own toileting scents on it. And then tried again, with other boat dog smells. No luck. She just sits down on it and smiles. We finally committed to dinghying her to shore morning and night, no matter what. But there were three stretches where this was impossible (Astoria-Neah Bay, Elfin Cove-Yakutat and Yakutat to Prince William Sound).

She did her best to last. Her longest attempt was 50 hours without peeing or pooing. When she finally gave in, she was mortified. We're very worried about her. At those times we praised her to no end, pointing to her business, loving her and giving her treats. She still won't warm to the idea of soiling her home.

Can anyone please help? I've even tried Calling All Pets, but no word from them yet.