So Delta is about 11.5 weeks old now, and quite a handful. For simplicity sake, I will only address the peeing issue on this post. She is now sleeping through the night, which is great. She never poops inside the house, but does pee in the house fairly often. Between the chewing on furniture (okay I couldn't stay on task of only mentioning one problem) and the peeing inside, she must be put in her kennel if 100% attention cannot be focused on her. I honestly don't even know when she is peeing on the floor some of the time; like she is some sort of magician or something. She is in the kitchen which is blocked off with baby gates. She is not hiding to pee, because the other times I see her (but my hands are full and I can't whisk her outside) and she just stares me dead in the face as she pees over the floor. We take her out as much as we can, in fact it is really starting to wear on us. We give her praise when she pees outside, but the peeing inside is persisting. Two things: 1) We are a little unsure about what to do with the water intake. We tried not to let her have too much water, but may have created a problem. When we do put water down, she would drink massive amounts until she looks like she was going to explode. Then we tried just leaving the water down more often so that she would not drink so obsessively. Either way, she pees a lot. I do not think that she has a UTI. She does not dribble a little, nor pee lots of times, and does not whine when she goes. Should we stay with leaving the water out or restrict it more? 2. Should we start adding a treat when she pees outside to give it more value? I was just concerned that she might start throwing pee pees at us inside (like she does with throwing sits). Open to any suggestions here.
My Zeke was the same, eventually I started giving him treats every time he goes out to pee, after he's done his business of course, he's 5 months old and has not peed/pooped in the house since we started treats for going outside. We've even got him to once in awhile ring a set of bells we have on the doorknob when he needs to go out, gets a treat for that too. I was worried about all the treats at first, but he responds very well when rewards are part of the deal.
Delta is very much a baby still and puppies house rain at different rates. I would never suggest restricting a puppy, or dog's, water supply. It is important that they have access to fresh water at all times. At 11.5 weeks I would just start taking her out every 30 minutes for a pee, reward with treats when she does pee. If she doesn't pee just take her back I and try again 10 minutes later. It's important to remember that small puppies need to pee after having a sleep, eating and playing with numerous others in between. Have you been cleaning up the pee puddles with one of the specialist cleaners to remove all trace of the smell to doggy noses. Normal cleaning solutions do not remove the urine smell so will actually say Toa puppy that it's OK to pee here. It may be worth checking with the vet regarding an infection to be on the safe side.
Hi Braden, we went through exactly the same thing with Huxley. He literally peed every ten minutes it seemed, he also drinks a lot of water. If you are feeding her kibble that will increase her need for water. She should definitely have fresh water available all the time and be able to drink whenever she likes. One thing I can promise is the peeing will get better! We were frustrated with this too as our house is a lot of carpet...we employed the tactic of outside every fifteen minutes, or, outside every time he changed activity, woke up, stopped playing, started sniffing, turned around. Just outside outside outside. Then lots of praise and pats, plus a treat for weeing outside. Then also a command said gently while they are doing it so as not to create any panic, but we just tell him nicely hurry up, hurry up. He is now 14 weeks and has only had one accident inside this week. He is definitely peeing a little less than 2 weeks ago also! You will truly get there. And if you dont have time to monitor her and take her out, its ok to pop her in her crate with a nice toy, or a treat to chew on so you can get a few things done, then take her out, take her for a wee, and you should know you are safe for around 15 minutes. It is tiring but you will feel so happy when she finally starts getting it.
Great! I think that she will respond to treats very well. I feel like I can get her to do just about anything with a click and treat, once she figures it out. But I think that I will start out with no clicks, so that the rest of the family can do it too (no one else is allowed to use the clicker!) Yes, we use simple solution. I forgot to mention that earlier. We also say hurry up, hurry up softly while she is peeing or pooping, and then follow up with a good girl. We will just add a treat to that. Thank you so much!
We actually went to the vet cos we thought Huxley was peeing too much, it was so often, but they assured us it was normal. They just have small little bladders, plus drink a lot, plus very little control. I also used to find he would always pee after getting excited. Just persevere, and be really gentle with her, you dont want her to have any anxiety around going to the toilet. You will do great.
Just a thought that it might be better to use 2 phrases, one for pee and one for poop so there is no confusion later when you ask her to hurry up as she won't need to poop as much as she grows
Yeah, you don't need the clicker for going to the loo - in fact, you might find if you clicked it would interrupt her "going" because she wants a treat. Give her a treat or two (or even three or four) every time she goes outside. She'll soon get the idea. And, as Rosemary says, try to preempt it by taking her outside every time she eats, has a drink, plays, wakes up, turns round in circles, starts sniffing the floor.... it sometimes feels like it will never end, but it will, don't worry. Until then, buy your kitchen paper in bulk
Hi Braden, I am having the same problem here. And to make things worse, we live in a small apartment (moving out soon into a house we are building). I remember when my parents potty trained their dacshund it was the same too. She would just pee every where, at any time. I do believe we will both get there eventually. Its just a matter of being vigilant with outside and managing your pup's environment. My little fella is 2 months old today, so I have more work to do still than you. Best of luck with it and keep us updated so we can all learn. I use some boiled chicken strips as high value treats, maybe try that. A.
I not being 'smug' but toilet training is easy. Its a routine that you must enter and keep too. 1. After sleep out for a toilet 2. After food out for a toilet. 3. After play out for a toilet. 4. After any excitement (visitors) out fo a toilet. 5. After a training out for a toilet. and remember every time she toilets outside make a big fuss and maybe reward with a bit of kibble. If she toilets inside do not say anything, just pick her up and put her outside. Simples... Watch her like a hawk, if she starts to sniff and circle, pick her up and take outside. It is that easy.
I posted recently about our issues with Daisy now 16.5 weeks. Things have greatly improved in last week or 2. We have never restricted her water as we are in Australian summer- dangerous! Our issue was really one of timing- we had got slack in taking her out every 30 mins and supervision. Daisy also pees a lot and sometimes it can be hard to see if she was sitting or peeing- so we had that to contend with too. Puppies are hard work! We also had a lot of furniture chewing. And the 'no chew' spray did nothing, but constant redirection to a variety of chewable toys and she seems to have got the message that the chair legs are not for chewing
Great words of encouragement! Just what we needed to hear. We are taking her out as much as possible. Even the whole family staying and playing outside (raising a pup is soooo much harder with a 5 and 7 year old). We filled the water bowl up to the brim and let her have at it. Multiple trips outside, and treats for peeing and some pooping. More crate time if we can't devote 100%,to her. First half day in the books. We will see what the next day is like. I agree with the no clicker idea, she is just too interested in the clicker and it could definitely stop a pee pee in mid stream. Interesting idea on a separate poop command. Also helping that my youngest is helping burn some puppy energy. She has her little purse with treats in it. She will speed across the backyard with Delta in hot pursuit. Then she stops, and waits for Delta to sit, then gives a treat. Figured that would help with recall and prevent jumping on little kids too. She is not giving any commands, just shaping. Thanks again!
Molly gets a "Good Girl Treat" every time she pees or poops outside and has had less than 10 accidents since we brought her home.
I am trying really hard not to dislike you right now. But really, thank you for the words of encouragement!
Toilet training for a puppy is rather like potty training a toddler - some are quicker at learning when they need to go than others . Puppies toilet training is much quicker though . Delta will get there very soon and you'll soon forget all those trips out to the cold garden
Things are improving! Started giving a treat for peeing outside, combined with keeping a closer eye on her. Still having an accident here and there, but much reduced. She seems to be calming down a little, so I am actually getting to do some fun stuff with her (heel, placeboards, come, walks off lead, etc). The barking is also improving. For the housetraining, this is what is helping: 1) Treat for peeing outside 2) Watch her 3) If not watching her, put her in the crate, or hook leash to her and keep her at my feet as I read the paper, eat, etc. This has helped because she is learning to be calm, she is next to me, she is not spending too much time in crate, she won't pee in house like this, I can easily redirect her is she starts chewing. 4) Knowing where she won't pee. For whatever reason, she will not pee in an elevated position (couch or human bed). This allows us to plop her up there, and spend time with her in a relaxing manner. My 5 year old and I layed on the couch and watched a movie, with Delta sleeping at our feet the other night. 5) Just spend more time with her. I get up early and stay on the back porch and drink coffee and let her run around in the backyard. She seems to be settling in. We still have a long way to go, but currently things are more enjoyable. The previous 2 weeks had been pretty tough. Thanks, for the help!
