This came to me last night. During the day, every time Willow has a wee, I say "wee wees" in a cheerful voice and then tell her she's a good girl and fuss her when she's finished. At night time, to the alarm schedule, I just open her crate, carry her outside and don't talk to her or fuss her. Once she's had her wee, I put her straight back into her crate, tell her, "goodnight, Willow" and walk straight away. I read this was the best approach to make sure she doesn't cry for attention, and that bit seems fine. She cries a tiny bit and settles quickly. But it made me think last night, if I'm leaving her immediately after she wees, will she learn that as a negative consequence and start trying to hold it in? Thoughts?
Re: Am I inadvertently punishing my puppy for having a wee? What you are doing is absolutely fine - the less fuss in the night the better. You don't want her to learn to shout for attention. It's good if she starts to try to hold it in, that's what we want at night All I said to mine in the night was 'stay' after putting them back to bed. They were both house trained in no time - no trauma at all
Re: Am I inadvertently punishing my puppy for having a wee? Weeing is itself rewarding - it removes an urge, which basically feels good. So, she is getting a reward. You could give her a treat but you might find her waking you up for treats... I'd just keep doing what you are doing
Re: Am I inadvertently punishing my puppy for having a wee? OK, phew. I thought I was doing what I was supposed to, but you know how your mind goes into overdrive in the wee (hehe) hours! I think I had managed to convince myself I was damaging her for life! I put a couple of bits of kibble in her crate each time I put her back in there but she seems to think they have magically appeared and are nothing to do with me
Re: Am I inadvertently punishing my puppy for having a wee? [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=8175.msg115495#msg115495 date=1412754384] i think I had managed to convince myself I was damaging her for life! [/quote] No way,Fiona,everything sounds like it's going really well,she's a good girl and you sound on a good routine with her x
Re: Am I inadvertently punishing my puppy for having a wee? If you'd like to come and housetrain my pup I'd appreciate it....you sound like you've got it sorted
Re: Am I inadvertently punishing my puppy for having a wee? [quote author=bbrown link=topic=8175.msg115529#msg115529 date=1412759367] If you'd like to come and housetrain my pup I'd appreciate it....you sound like you've got it sorted [/quote] Haha, not quite! We still have the odd little wee inside, but she's teaching us her signals for "I need to go, and go NOW!". She'll have us well trained very soon
Re: Am I inadvertently punishing my puppy for having a wee? [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=8175.msg115495#msg115495 date=1412754384] I put a couple of bits of kibble in her crate each time I put her back in there but she seems to think they have magically appeared and are nothing to do with me [/quote] Great idea - th crate is 'feeding' her, giving it a really positive association
