I've just found this site because I'm a grown woman, crying from failure of our new lab puppy. I'm a single mom and I got my daughter her new puppy right at Christmas time, she's 12 wks old today. My daughter and I both share a love for dogs and with her being 10 now, I thought she was old enough to help out alot, and she does, HOWEVER, it seems every route I take with trying to train our pup, it's another door slammed shut! We love her so much and she's so smart but I'm lost on how to house break her. Instead of me writing out an incredibly long email, can anyone out there, offer me any advice on what worked for u?! Please?? It seems no matter how many times she's taken out to potty, she comes right back in and goes in the house. I'm so exhausted on what to do.. any feedback is welcome... Thank u so much in advance..
Hi there Lorie, and welcome. Please don't despair! Yours is a very common problem and we'll soon have you back on track. First of all, you need to go back to the beginning. Don't worry, it won't take long for you to catch back up again. But you need to behave just as if she were 8 weeks old, and start your potty training routine from there. Here is a detailed guide you can follow http://www.thelabradorsite.com/house-training-your-labrador-puppy/ and this is to help you avoid mistakes http://www.thelabradorsite.com/15-puppy-potty-training-problems-solved/ When you take your puppy outside, make sure you stay with her and are 'boring'. Wrap up warm and take a chair to sit on if necessary! If she hasn't done a wee after ten minutes or so outside, bring her in but supervise her closely. On your lap, in your arms, or pop her in a small crate for a few minutes then back outside. Don't give up until you get a wee! Let us know how you get on
Hi Lorie , I cant add to the great advice Pippa has given you , but just wanted to bid you welcome . Our forum is full of articles to help you , and please, don't despair , we are here to help .
Welcome Lorie,I see Pippa has stopped by and directed you to some help. Don't despair there is so much advice and experience on the Forum ,you can find help for pretty much everything or someone willing to think it through with you. Best Wishes Angela x
Hi Lorie and welcome to the forum. I think most of us who have had the joy of young puppies have also felt that same despair at some point, so you're not alone. The advice Pippa has given is really valuable. It never hurts to go right back to the beginning and start again. Good luck and please ask if you have any more questions after reading the articles.
Hi and welcome to the forum. Pippa has already given great advice so all I would add is your puppy is still very young, not much more than a baby. As with babies potty training takes time and some babies are quicker than others. Don't despair, you will get there. We would love to hear more about your puppy
Hi Lori. I am so sorry that your pup is causing you so much heartache, pups should be a joy to you and your daughter. You have been given some excellent advice. You have to be persistent and diligent to toilet train a puppy. Everyone of us on this forum has been through it. i know it is boring and can be difficult to remember to take a pup outside every 20 minutes or so, but the more you do it, the quicker the pup will realize what is expected of it ( and the less time you will spend cleaning up accidents) Don't forget to use a special enzyme cleaner for the job, follow the instructions on the labe,l they generally need a few minutes to work and neutralize the smell. Just because you cannot smell anything doesn't mean the pup cannot and if it is getting the message "this is THE PLACE TO PEE", it will. Just remember she is a pup and doesn't have much control of her bladder (just like your daughter didn't have control when she was a baby). The really good news is that it is much quicker and easier to toilet train a dog than a human She should catch on to what you want any day now. So dry your tears (many of us on the Forum have shed them over a dog at one stage or another). You are not a failure. The very best wishes from my 2 year old bitch Molly and me living near Oxford in the UK. You didn't tell us your pups name, and we are puppy picture junkies on this site, so we'd love a picture. Come back and let us know how you are doing.
Hi Lorie, welcome to the forum. I don't have anything else to add advice wise as you have already been given loads of brilliant information. Dry your tears, you are certainly not a failure. I was only think this morning, this time last year I was on 15 mins trips to the garden and up during the night with my 9 week puppy. I remember sobbing at the sight of yet another puddle on the kitchen floor. I had never felt so exhausted in my whole life. I felt such a wimp as my girl on the whole is as good as gold so why was I crying . These stages soon pass believe me they really do. Sending you big hugs and Labrador licks from my 14 month girl Mabel. Let's us know how you get on. X
Hi Lorie and welcome to the forum. Don't give up it will get better, we all go through things like this with our puppies. Don't let her have the run of the house. Just keep her in the kitchen or family room at first. Good luck and let us know how you are getting on.
Hi Lorie, just wanted to say hi and welcome. We have all been there and I remember the despair as well as I remember the number of rolls of paper towel we went through! Hang in there, toilet training will be a distant memory before you know it xx
Hello and welcome to the forum!! Don't worry, we've all been through the dreadful toilet training phase. It will pass, and your beautiful puppy will become toilet trained.
Welcome to the forum Lorie - from Belle, Coco & me. I have no experience of toilet training - ours were both house trained adults when we got them, but you have some brilliant advice from those with the experience. You will soon be over this stage..with a lot of fun ahead of you.
Hi and welcome to the forum! Things will definitely get better We understand how challenging the puppy phase is though!
Welcome to you! We have all been there. Follow the links Pippa gave you, they are great. Things will slowly improve until one day you realise - no puddles!!
Hi Lorie, welcome from me too. Yes, I think tears are part of the journey. Why is ever other puppy better behaved/quicker learning/less pulling/less jumpy/better recall.......than mine? I think we have all been there. Don't despair, by the time your pup is 2 (ish) all will be good Stick with it, be consistent, and invest in some simple solution, warm clothing and oodles of patience. Pippa's "The Happy Puppy Handbook" is essential reading too. Keep in touch with how things are going.
Hi Lorie, welcome to the forum. Oh yes, I remember many hours of wondering what the hell I had done and whether getting this puppy was my worst decision ever....! Please, please don't worry. There is tons of good advice here (as well as willing ears when you just need to vent!) and in a few weeks you will have it cracked. Looking forward to hearing about your pup!
Hi Lorie, I don't have anything else to add but another welcome to you and your pup from me and soon to be eight month old Dexter.
