Yorkster -- Congratulations on a clean bill-of-health for Miss Scout. I understand your thought that if it were attributable to some medical problem, there would be medication that would help fix it and it would be solved. BUT, you are giving us a fabulous report about her improving and getting along better with the cats and going to bed on her own, so you must be doing the right things. This is one of those "time will heal all problems" things and you are seeing the effects of that. She will continue to improve and I think you'll find she'll really enjoy the intermediate obedience and agility training. She's learning the "rules" and will really be a great doggie when the light bulb clicks on and she's really got it all down pat. Keep praising her when she does well and try to just ignore the "mistakes". Just make sure you clean them up with something like "Simple Solution" (I like the yellow label cat strength one) and not a regular carpet cleaner. Most of them have ammonia in them and would make her more inclined to continue to use the inside if you use them.

I guess the easiest way to think of it is that you have an overly large "puppy" and act accordingly. If she had never been taught all this, and it's entirely possible she was never an indoor dog before, then, she has little idea what is expected. But, it really sounds like you're getting a handle on things and are making tremendous strides in getting her housetrained. Next July you'll look back on this and wonder how you could ever think she wasn't the best dog in existance! Keep us posted on her progress.