Potty Training a Puppy

By nelwyn from Bunkie, LA

Archives: Request: Potty Training a Puppy Archived on 06/16/2009 I have had my puppy since it was 5 weeks old. It is now about 5 months old and it is still going in the house! We have done everything we know to do and nothing seems to work. Could you please help us? LJ Feedback: RE: Potty Training a Puppy, Not so sure about puppy pads! We recently got an 11 month old Toy Poodle. It's owner, an 82 yr old lady, had to give him up after putting her husband in assisted living. She just couldn't care for him anymore with going to visit her husband a lot, etc. She used puppy pads to train him, and crate trained him. So we thought we would go with the flow and use the puppy pads, but with all the stress of changing homes he won't use the pads at all and wants to go all over the house! So we are starting from square one and crate training. We have had him a month and he still won't use the pads. It takes forever for him to go when we take him out. We wait for close to an hour, and as soon as he goes we praise him, give him a treat, and bring him in. Then we dread him eating and drinking because we know soon we have to go through this again, lol, but we are patient. When we take him out he acts like he doesn't know what he's out there for; so he may as well play and go sooner or later. Mostly later, much later! I spoke with his groomer and she asked if we got him house broke. I said, "Well, not yet". She said, "Well she ruined that! She used pads all the time. That's all he knows". She agreed it has to be the stress causing him not to use them now. When I said he acts like he doesn't know why he's outside, she said, "Well he probably doesn't. She took him for a little walk but not out to go potty". I'm afraid he won't ever be potty trained. (03/31/2009) By Ariela Report Spam or Abuse Request: Potty Training a Puppy Archived on 03/17/2009 My puppy won't go! I just got an 8-week-old puppy. I'm trying to potty train her using the wee-wee pads (we're in a high-rise apartment) and a crate. I've crate trained a dog before and have refreshed myself by reading up on all this. I know what I'm supposed to do generally, but I'm worried because in the last 48 hours, she has only peed 3 times and pooped once. 2 accidents out of the 4 times, so not a bad average. But it does make it difficult to train her. And is this a health problem? Would love to hear any advice or experience about this. TPM Answers: RE: Potty Training a Puppy We got an 8 wk old part boxer/part pit bull puppy. We did not use a crate or papers or anything. We simply took her out about every 2 hours through the day. Within about 3 days she would go to the door herself, and within 2 weeks she was completely house broke day and night. Never had to get up at night with her. When we both started working day shift she was by herself with full run of the house, and we still never had any accidents. (11/08/2008) By Cora-Sue RE: Potty Training a Puppy This sounds funny, but it works. My friend told me about a cat litter box. Good luck, Sheila (11/08/2008) By PRETTY YORKIE TESSA RE: Potty Training a Puppy First off, don't get too uptight about the issue. Expecting an 8-week-old puppy to go when and where you think he or she should without some gentle guidance, is like expecting an 8-month-old human child to do so. Your puppy, like a child, knows when you're upset and gets at least as upset if not more so over the whole matter. You may not agree with this method, but my hubby (very old-fashioned) swears by it. If Puppy has an accident of any sort, gently put his/her nose near - NOT in - the mess and let him/her smell it. Say "no, no," or whatever phrase works for you, to indicate your displeasure. Then show Puppy where he/she is expected to relieve himself/herself. Be calm, be patient, and above all, be persistent. Any puppy of reasonable intelligence will get the idea fairly quickly. (11/10/2008) By JustPlainJo RE: Potty Training a Puppy We got our puppy Jan. 1 and are crate training him. He had a couple of accidents on the floor on the first 2 days, but what we did was bring him over to watch us clean up his mess (we didn't scold him), then took him outside and he went there. Our breeder also suggested that we feed him in his crate since dogs are not likely to poo/pee where they eat. It has worked so far! We take him out every hour or so when we are home and he has started to either bark or jump up on us when he needs out. (01/08/2009) By Carol Report Spam or Abuse Request: Potty Training a Puppy Archived on 11/08/2008 I need advice on how to house train a puppy? Rosie from Lewisberry, PA Answers: RE: Potty Training a dog! I have 3 dogs and can't tell which one keeps peeing in the hall way (a lot) so there is no one to scold or blame so how do I cure this? (04/04/2008) By Hunter RE: Potty Training a Puppy Well my dog is in the process of being crate trained. We have had her for 1 week and she has already had 3 accidents, but the crate training is really helping her. (04/15/2008) By Brandon Report Spam or Abuse Request: Potty Training a Puppy Archived on 07/12/2007 We got a chihuahua-dachshund mix pup months ago and she still won't potty train. She goes in closets, cabinets, even in the middle of the rooms! It is starting to smell! Does anyone know how to not only train her but to get rid of the odors too?? Emily from Fort Worth, TX Answers: RE: Potty Training a Puppy I have to say Crate Train all the way! We took in an abused MinPin puppy that was dumped on our street. Burns on his belly. He was trying to pee in the house every 5 minutes. We had to go with the crate. We also like to go camping in our Travel Trailer. We had a crate in there too. He did get mad at us a couple times when we would be out around the campfire and felt he would be safer in the camper and he totally let loose in his crate not only number one but number 3 too!!!! YUCK! He new how to get his point across! My husband was not a happy camper those two evenings. But persistance paid off. We didn't give in. We kept trying and taking him out to potty often, watching him closely in the house and any time he'd even start to sniff around the floor we'd whoosh him outside. Also right after he wakes up, the minute you get home, after he plays and after he eats get him outside and use the same key words every time. Gotta go potty? Go poop! No-No. Which comes in handy when you are walking him and/or have a designated area for him to do his business in. Today he is a quite spoiled, pampered little Prince as you can see. The crates are no longer needed (didn't have to use them long) and in the attic gathering dust. My husband and I both work during the day and Brinks never has an accident. He loves everyone and is so gentle and sweet which is hard to believe since he had such a tough beginning. Don't give up! (07/03/2007) By Haley RE: Potty Training a Puppy OK people, just addressing the ODOR/STAIN factor: Use OUT! Gets rid of ODOR/STAINS from urine, feces, vomit, blood etc. Safe for Carpet. Uses natural enzymes has pleasant odor, sprays on. By OUT! International Inc. Usually found in most grocery stores. (07/03/2007) By MDM in WA RE: Potty Training a Puppy First of all, please get a good book on potty training. It would have been better all around if you had done this before you got the dog. However as a caring dog companion you just need a little good information, patience, love and consistency. I volunteered at an animal shelter where several people brought in dogs because they just wouldnt house train. We asked them how they house trained and the reality became all too clear. It was never the dogs fault. Go to a library and gets as much info as you can. Sooner rather than later. No dog is too stupid to be housetrained. Google. There is also lots of info here if you do a search. I definitely recommend against crate training and I probably sound like a broken record. I posted this page on another thread: http://warreneckstein.com/pettips_caging.html Up until a couple of decades ago crate training was unheard of. And many many dogs were successfully trained without them. I grew up learning how to house train a dog without a crate and I know how wonderfully smart and willing to please they really are. I dont mean to sound unkind but I honestly find myself wondering about the nature of people who would willingly lock their little babies in little cages. On such a consistent basis. Maybe they are wonderful people who just don't understand dogs to begin with or are too easily led from their own loving nature by people they think of as experts. Or worse yet, by people who want to sell dog cages. (07/10/2007) By Sheraone Report Spam or Abuse Tip: Potty Training a Puppy Archived on 07/01/2007 Think of your puppy as you would a baby or toddler that you're trying to potty train and you won't go far wrong. Remember to always praise your puppy for doing his business outside and reward him with lots of attention and tickles. As soon as your puppy wakes up, the first thing he'll want to do is wee so take him outside and talk to him as you're doing so. Tell him what he's going outside for i.e. 'Outside for peepees'. Remember to talk in a higher pitch voice than usual, just as you would talk to a toddler. When he's done his business, again praise in a high pitch voice and reward with lots of attention. It should on average take you about a week to train your puppy that he needs to go outside when he feels the need to relieve himself in order to get rewards. On the odd occasion that your puppy has an accident and does his business on your carpet, don't scream and shout as he won't understand what's going on. Instead, show him what he's done wrong and in a low pitch voice tell him no or bad or naughty. Ignore him for a while so that he knows he'll not get rewards for doing it indoors. Dogs always respond much better to praise and rewards than they will hysterics and shouting so please make yourself aware of the tone of your voice when training your dog. If you take the time and effort in the early days you'll be rewarded over many years with a happy, healthy, loving loyal companion. By JeanieMagic from South Wales, UK Answers: RE: Potty Training a Puppy What worked for me: I have 3 dogs already housebroken. When I got Coco in April 2005 I kind of had problems. I wish I would have thought of this years ago but, I put in a dog door. I no longer had to get up in the middle of the night and let 1 or 2 dogs out , I no longer lost sleep. Coco learned within a few weeks and followed everybody out and did her thing. I HIGHLY recommend dog doors. Enclosed is a picture of my brood. Penny (06/13/2006) By maggie3956 Report Spam or Abuse Request: Puppy Potty Training Archived on 07/15/2005 I am not sure how to house train my second silky. My first one is 8 months old and already house trained. The second one is barely 3 months old but I don't know if she should be crate trained. Would it create a problem if she is left in the crate while her "older sibling" has run of the house? lunababy Answers: RE: Puppy Potty Training 11/03/2004 a puppy can only hold it's urine 1 hour for each month of age. Also, praise your puppy for every attempt to go in the "right" place, never punish for accidents in the house. Puppies need to be 3-4 months old before the "training" actually takes affect. I agree that crate training is wonderful. I wouldn't leave the puppy in the crate all day though, just at night so that you don't wake up to surprises. By johnsonya (Guest Post) RE: Puppy Potty Training 11/03/2004 If your pup doesn't pick up the idea that you go to the toilet outside, like mine didn't by 6 months of age, try keeping her outside for a while. I hadn't heard of the crate training method unfortunately and my other 2 dogs got exactly the same training and never go in the house. Luckily she's a good little pup and doesn't run off so I started to leave her on the verandah overnight. Somehow this gave her the idea that going to the toilet outside was the thing to do and now she is back in the house most of the time but still likes to sleep outside at night. A double benefit of this is I found the is a good little guard dog and lets me know if any foxes are around! Regards Jo By Jo Bodey RE: Puppy Potty Training 11/03/2004 Crate training helps, also, Puppies have to go to the bathroom almost immediately after eating and/or playing. I would take it out after it has eaten, after it has played, and every hour on the hour otherwise. I like those little Mlk bone dog treats for rewards, although any SMALL treat would work. NeVER beat the dog or punish it for messing in the house, this will only cause the puppy to fear going to the bathroom altogether! If it messes on the floor, immediately take it outside and have someone else clean up the mess, don't let the dog see you clean it up, and don't make a big deal about it. I use Pine-Sol to cover odors. By spelch RE: Puppy Potty Training 11/04/2004 I'm an animal shelter volunteer. If you can send me your email address I will send you documentation files from Wayside Waifs Kansas City's Humane Society. It is a free service provide to anybody that adopts and animal from the shelter. I have about seventy files: cats, dog, puppies, and kittens. I'm on the follow up call committee. I make 3-5 day post adoption calls to see how the animals are adjusting to their new home environment. Our goal is to help deal with some of the behavior issues you can encounter with the new member of the family. My email address is rwmjshculer@sbcglobal.net or you can go to the shelter web site and find some information on the site it is free. http://www.waysidewaifs.org I don't recommend leaving puppy out side until he/she learns to potty out side, you could end up with other behavior problems or a missing dog. Crate training is the best method, dogs do not like to sit or sleep in the same place they potty. Do not put food or water while in the kennel- the animal has no way to relieve themselves after eating or drinking, especially puppies--small bladders. When you let the puppy out of the kennel take it out side first thing to potty, do the same thing after eating drinking or playing and sleep. Your puppy should always be in your sight never free range of your home until has matured. Hope this helps. Remember give your puppy a treat when they are going to be kenneled and a safe toy. By Melanie Schuler (Guest Post) RE: Puppy Potty Training 11/06/2004 Dogs don't have bladder control till 6 months of age. Some do better than others. When you take it out and it does go out side reward it with a treat. Praise the good behavior and ignore the bad. Give it time and keep a schedule of when you can take the pup out. Always reward the poop and pee out side try to not yell or get angry when it makes the mistakes. fido By fido5344 RE: Puppy Potty Training 11/06/2004 Take the pup out while saying lets potty after each meal nap or playtime, and every 2o minutes or so. The first couple of weeks throw a treat out for the dog to go and get in the grass or wherever he is going. If a pup makes a mistake, don't scold, but take the dog immediately to the spot outdoors. Praise, laugh and clap and act as if your favorite football team has scored a touchdown each time something is produced outside. Crate training is the only way to avoid the "we have to have linoleum" situation which I have with my six dogs and lots of fostering animals who are not house trained. Crate training is the simplest way if you are not always home, but I let them run and take them out and clean up m messes as they happen but that is me and I have to get new carpet. I would not trade any of my dogs, they are so adorable. Some breeds are more able to catch on faster and some aren't, but they all can! By Racing against thimerosol RE: Puppy Potty Training 11/09/2004 I have "crate trained" several dogs, it works wonderful. I have never seen hitting the dog, or "rubbing its nose in it" work -- all that seems to teach the dog is to pee where you can't see it, and it's mean. My current dog still considers her crate her "safe zone", if she is frightened or upset, she will go the basement and get in her crate (she is seven and we haven't used it in years for potty training) By sarah_bellum (Guest Post) RE: Puppy Potty Training 12/20/2004 My puppy stays in her crate. When I let her out I put her directly outside. Sometimes she will have an accident. I just clean it up and us my spray bottle on that spot. (I use half vinegar and half water in a spray bottle.) I spray where my puppy goes to the bathroom. She never potties there again. It also helps deodorize your house. My vet told me to do this it is safe for your pet and your children. By lacye (Guest Post) RE: Puppy Potty Training 03/31/2005 Last Mother's Day I was out on Sat. yard saling and saw a big box with free puppies on it. So my husband gave me money and told me to buy my Mother's day gift and that's what I did, I got a puppy, 6 weeks old. lol. I use newspapers to train and still use them to this day. If your puppy ever pee's or poo on your carpet and you don't clean it up real good, the puppy will go back to that place on the carpet each time. I have my dog in my laundry room and i used lots of newspapers at one end of the laundry room. When I first brought her home, first thing in the morning, I cared her straight to the newspapers and did that every day several times a day until she was trained. Then she would bark to let me know she had potty. I'm telling you having a puppy is like have another baby! Lots of work and responsibility but I love and care for my dog, she is part of my family. So good luck By Lynn04 RE: Puppy Potty Training 05/21/2005 Having had loads of dogs the same thing has always worked for me... About 15 minutes after feeding, take pup outside and encourage it with the same command - "(name) Hurry up and be a good boy/girl" is always a good one - and in a gentle encouraging voice - don't yell! ALWAYS start a command with the dogs name - it then learns quickly that you are talking to them and gets their attention. When the deed has been done - LOADS of praise and cuddles. Always wait until both ends have emptied - and you will need plenty of patience - so wait. Also - the second pup has woken from a nap - whip him or her outside and do the same thing. The first thing a pup does when it wakes is to pee. So keep an eye on it and move fast. Another tip - don't expect a puppy to sleep through the night without wanting to relieve itself - you wouldn't expect a baby to, so why a dog? If you want to by-pass the mats and crates - it is well worth getting up a couple of times a night for the first couple of months - I promise you, you will be pleased you did! Once pup starts to get the idea - it will soon take shape. Another tip - when very young, they need a great deal of time and attention. Visits outside every 20 minutes or so during wake time with the 'Hurry up' command will also reap quick results. Especially pre-playtime - excited puppies forget themselves very easily! One last tip - if you see pup getting a case of the hiccoughs - that's a sure sign they want to go outside - so get them out there fast and do the same 'Hurry up and be a good girl/boy' command. Remember - with all dogs, and whatever you're trying to teach them - ALWAYS use the same command. If you don't, the poor little thing will get confused as you are sending mixed messages. It's the biggest and most common mistake made by dog-owners. They expect them to speak 'human' - they don't! Whatever you do - DO NOT rub their nose in it. This is an absolutely wicked myth - all it does is to teach them fear and they will associate relieving themselves with punishment - so how on earth will they learn? Furthermore, it is a fact that dogs have short memories for their day to day actions. (This does not apply to training and association. i.e. Have you ever made a trip and you think afterwards 'Wow - I don't remember a thing about that trip'? - it's exactly the same thing with dogs, they don't have 'diary' capabilities!) - so if they pee and half an hour later you discover the mistake and rub their faces in it - all you cause is confusion and misery. If they do have an accident - and they surely will! - do NOT scold them, say a firm 'Fido - NO' - and take them outside for a while. Be gentle - be patient - be encouraging and be clear what is expected - results will be sure to follow! By ladyshot RE: Puppy Potty Training 06/26/2005 The best way I know came from a professional. We have a 3 year old rescued doxie that had never been out of crate. She'd pee and poop in it no matter what. We keep her on a schedule just like a baby. They will always pee after play (about 45 minutes) and poo about 6 to 8 hours. So plan around your schedule. We cut off food at 4 and water at 7. When you take them out, always use the same phrase. I use HURRY AND PEE, over and over. I always reward a pee or a poo. Always. You don't need to hit or rub a dogs nose. That is cruel. Would yo so that to your child? It takes patience , scheduling and command with a reward! Trust me, it works! By Ann(Guest Post) RE: Puppy Potty Training 07/02/2005 I have had three poodles, with each one, I took them out doors every half hour. My first one was potty trained in one week the other two in two weeks. With my second one I was working in a day care with little children. She was a well loved poodle. Maybe they were easy to potty train because they were females. By Tina (Guest Post) RE: Puppy Potty Training 07/03/2005 When your pup pees inside, pick him up, take him to the wet spot, gently put his nose to the spot (without rubbing his nose in it) and sweetly say something like " NO pee-pee in the house, pee-pee outside." then walk over to the door and hold his foot while you scratch the door several times saying 'Go pee-pee outside, Mommy". Then take him outside to pee or run around a bit. It only takes one, maybe two times for him to get the message, he'll start scratching on the door to let Mommy know when he has to go.(and he'll scratch to let you know when he's finished & ready to come back in; but please keep an eye on him outside, too many dognappers out there!) Good Luck! Let us know what eventually works for ya'll. By darween Report Spam or Abuse