Hello All, I am new to this forum. I have a shelter rescue lab puppy that is either 6 or 8 months old depending on whether you believe the vet or shelter records. Vet said all teeth should be in by 7 months, he has all his teeth. To my problem, we have been trying to toilet train him for the last two months and are getting a little frustrated with him. He will hold it all night in his crate, we will take him out every hour or so and let him relieve him self, only to take the leash off and give him a little more freedom and we will find a puddle on the floor, about ten minutes later. We praise him when he relieves himself outside. We have had him to the vet to make sure there is not a physical problem, all was good. He is a confident little thing, I have a Rottweiler and a Black Lab as well and the puppy will stand his ground against them if he wants what they have, (antler, toy). I guess I am looking for a tip or trick to get him to understand that the house is not the toilet. Thanks for any ideas MGK
Re: puppy toilet training Welcome to you What are you cleaning up with? All cleaning fluids smell like wee to dogs and encourage them to use the spot again. Simple Solution (or similar specially made products) work, so does bio washing (clothes washing) liquid. Give him a treat and praise for using the right place and ignore all accidents - you will soon get there
Re: puppy toilet training Hello and welcome from me and my two reprobates! As Mags said, there's no quick fix. He doesn't know why he shouldn't just go when he feels the need, so he's not doing it for spite or mischief. You just have to plod on, consistently praising him and treating him for going where you want him to and ignoring it when he goes where he shouldn't and using Simple Solution for cleaning the area. The other thing to consider is, he won't toilet in his crate because dogs have an instinct to not "go" in their den. Pippa suggests, in The Happy Puppy Handbook, that you confine them to a small area outside of their crate to start off with (say, half a room, barricaded) and gradually increase this area until they recognise the whole house as their den.
Re: puppy toilet training Boogie yes I am using a product designed for eliminating door pee odors, Natures Miracle. I am not sure it is available in the UK? Snowbunny - so the idea would be to limit him, Ranger, to a small area/room and after several days of being good, expand area, if I catch him relieving him self, what should I do? yell, scream, quietly tell him no and take him outside? Thank you for your advise
Re: puppy toilet training Having 2 other dogs, you must be fairly knowledgable so I don't think I can help. Apart from suggesting you have an intensive training period where there are no distractions for your pup and you can focus on him totally - a bit like you would with a new pup. As soon as you see the signs you can spring into action and take him outside and give lots of praise. Go back to basics is all I can suggest. Welcome to the forum
Re: puppy toilet training If you catch your dog having a pee inside, hurry him outside but definitely don't yell at him. Try giving your dog 3 treats every time he pees in the garden. Three. Not 2 or 1 or 4. It works. Even if you think that's silly. It works.
Re: puppy toilet training Jane Martin - I have had dogs all my life, but i have always tried to get a dog that was 1 - 2 years old to avoid all this puppy stuff. Well with Ranger we broke my cardinal rule. Oh well! Dealing with puppies and their shenanigans is a new experience for me. Older dogs I have no problem with, but puppies? I suppose it's like have kids, until you have them you have no idea what you are getting into, I had 3. Julie T - 3 no more or less? There must be great story behind that?
Re: puppy toilet training [quote author=MGK link=topic=9425.msg135575#msg135575 date=1420664361] Julie T - 3 no more or less? There must be great story behind that? [/quote] There is a solid, rational reason behind it. Count 'em out - one - two - three. Make sure the pup knows he gets three for every wee in the garden. For three weeks. Then I'll tell you the theory. Go on, see if it works. it's not a joke, promise. (Anyone who knows why, don't say until MGK tests the theory blind).
Re: puppy toilet training Ha ha! I would go for it MGK! Welcome to the forum - have you worked out that some of us are a bit nutty? jac
Re: puppy toilet training [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9425.msg135584#msg135584 date=1420666446] (Anyone who knows why, don't say until MGK tests the theory blind). [/quote] I don't know why! I want to know the answer! I feel like I've been left out of a secret club!
