We we have a 9 week old pup now. This is our second dog, never had any problems with potty training our first. But this pup, Macy, seems to be having a tough time with potty training. I take her outside to the same spot very often. Every 30 minutes (sometimes less) while she is awake. I get up in the middle of the night and also take her out. She goes well outdoors, and seems to understand this location and when I say 'Potty' she usually goes. But she's also peeing inside the house. My wife stays home with the kids and just last week she had like 3 potty accidents in the same day despite my wife also taking her outside very often. And then just yesterday, I took Macy outside, watched her go potty, and then within 5 minutes of coming back in the house she looked right at my wife and then squatted and peed on the floor. Any thoughts about this??? Side note: I do have another post in the Health section. At 8 weeks our Vet said she had crystals in her urine but we've been on antibiotics and a prescription food for 5 days now.
She's only 9 weeks old so she's a tiny baby. It takes time, it can take many months and every dog is different. If you think she's peeing much too frequently, you could call your vet to rule out a UTI. Whenever we were having lots of accidents (usually it was me home, not my OH) I just wasn't taking her out often enough because I was getting distracted by cooking, cleaning etc...she was an every 20 -40 minutes puppy for many months. Not to discourage you, but it took us 6 months to get there. OH has has several previous labs, and she has by far taken the longest to get it.
Here is the best advice around - http://www.thelabradorsite.com/house-training-your-labrador-puppy/ You were very lucky with your first dog. All five of my pups have been at least 16 weeks before they were anything like reliable. My present pup, Mollie, didn't stop having the occasional accident until 19 weeks. It's not so much a behaviour thing as a bladder maturity thing. In my experience, when they can hold it, they will.
As the others have said, she is still very much a baby and it all takes time. My pup is 10wks old and is also having lots of accidents indoors too, mostly when he gets excited. Don't despair, you're not alone.
Keep going you will get there. Its just like children they all take their own time. Just to add, the thing where you said she is looking right at you means nothing. I used to drive myself crazy and say that he knew what he was doing. In reality they dont understand guilt or attention in that respect. So dont beat yourself up like your dog is doing it on purpose it will only make you worse and may even delay the training.
I heard (and I have no idea how true it is, so don't quote me on this!) that dogs often look at you when going to the loo because they're vulnerable at that time, and by looking at you, you can keep an eye out for any threats behind them. Makes some sense, but might still be nonsense
This rings true. I think they do feel vulnerable when toiletting. At the moment Mollie won't wee or poo away from home. On Monday I was at puppy class, it's an hour drive each way so we were out from 9am to 1pm - she's only 5 months old and didn't wee or poo all that time although given plenty of opportunities! ...
My son has told me this a number of times! I don't know where he got it from but maybe there is something in it?
Thanks all. And I did read that link also and I know she is just a baby. I was just confused by the frequency. To wee 5 minutes after I just watched her go outside seemed excessive. And that type of situation has happened multiple times. She is totally different than our last pup, in this regard. My tendency is to find a solution to the problem as I am petrified this could become habit. I am curious about a product called Cranimals that is basically a cranberry supplement that helps with urinary tract health. But perhaps I should wait awhile before introducing something like that because it sounds like this is normal for her age. Funny thing, she has not had an accident in her crate. Not once. In about a week, she'll be off antibiotics and we'll go back to the vet for another urinalysis.
Are you cleaning the places she pees inside with enzymatic cleanser? If the floor still smells like pee that might make her think it's the spot to use. Sorry, you didn't say you clean, I bet you do, mentionnning this just, just in case.
Good point Snowshoe. We had been cleaning with just soap and water, but just yesterday I bought some special urine cleaner. That and we are taking her out every 15 minutes, which seems insane, but doing whatever we can to prevent more accidents at this point. It helps hearing from others so I appreciate all the input. I should post a picture of her, because she is a cute bugger
