Help with Housebreaking and other questions

davidandress · Puppy Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 9

Hello! This is my first post. Very nice forum!
Plz excuse any problems with my English.
I am from Colombia and I recently bought a Weim puppy from a reputable breeder, un-docked tail, 7 weeks old when I got him. His name is 'Cafu', like the brazilian soccer player.

I have had him (he is 11 weeks old exactly) for a month now. He is a very smart puppy, my first personal dog, and I have taught him to sit, lay down, and shake both paws.
However, the thing is I work from 8-5pm and I have been leaving him home alone, with toys, and music, in my kitchen.
I want him to get a little bigger before taking him to daycare, that is if I decide to. Is this too cruel for the puppy?

My problem is that this has made housebreaking really tough. While I am in my apt I let him out of the kitchen and he can go anywhere he pleases, I'll always stay close behind to avoid accidents that go unnoticed. And they still happen. Usually I will kennel him after he eats and bring him out to the 'area' until he finally goes. But that's when I'm in the apt.

And during the weekends I can spend good time training him where to go to the restroom and where not to.
However since he is home alone during the day, he will go in the kitchen randomly away from his kennel.
This weekend I was gone for a couple of days and left him at a friends house, with his kennel, and for the first time ever he pooped in his kennel.
My friend had to bathe him immediately as he dirtied himself.
I am very worried, perhaps it is my fault, and this could affect his health.
How can I leave the puppy home alone and still housebreak him?
If Ì leave newspaper, he will only rip it appart.

Here are some pictures of when I first got him, he was 7kgs then, now he is 12, and I'm feeding him Nutrience Junior. I was feeding him Eukanuba, but my vet told me Nutrience is better. Unfortunately I cannot find better brands here in Colombia.

I appreciate suggestions and help. Thanks!

waitingonmyweim · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:

This is a really tough one.

First, you shouldn't expect your puppy to be able to hold it from 8-5 (just not possible).

Second, you obviously don't want to lock him in his crate for that long either, since chances are, he'll just mess his crate.

Are you using puppy pads or newspaper in the kitchen for him to go on?

Really, if you are able what I would do is crate him, but hire someone (a local kid you trust maybe) to let him out maybe twice a day) so that he's not crated for more than 3 hours at a time.

Like I said, this is a tough one due to your situation. Maybe others will have better suggestions!

davidandress · Puppy Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks for your suggestion.

Well, if by 'Crating' you mean locking him up in his kennel, I almost never do that, and perhaps I should, just so that he gets used to it. He has the whole kitchen to himself all the time, with nothing that can get him into trouble in reach.
I used to leave newspaper in a corner where he did use to go to potty. However, he started 'going' near the newspaper and not 'on' it every time, and a couple of times the newspaper was torn to a hundred pieces. So I stopped leaving the newspaper. Is this a mistake?
I really dont expect for him not to go since is is 9 full hours. Yet, I dont know if I am training him incorrectly, to go anywhere he pleases

shouseholder · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:37 pm Post subject:

You say you are also having accidents when you are home too. If that is so, I would make sure you take him out every hour, after he sleeps, after he eats, after he plays. Lots of treats and praise when he goes in the right spot.

We would say Oops and take our puppy outside quickly on the rare occasion she looked like she would go inside. Never yell because you don't want them to be afraid to go potty near you.
Become familiar with his potty routines, then you can tell when they have to go.

davidandress · Puppy Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks SH
I will try that. I usually raise my voice and he knows what he has done is wrong, I immediately take him to the spot and he finishes or goes again.
Perhaps he just needs more time. He is 11 weeks. By when should I expect him to be moderately housebroken?
Thanks again

shouseholder · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:18 am Post subject:

I think every dog and every situation is different. Some dogs pick it up in a few weeks, others take longer. Mischa for one never pooped in the house. It helped that I could always tell when she had to go and we had her on a pretty strict routine - eat and go outside and stay there until she went. We had a few accidents (pee only) at first, but they were all my fault, I just didn't respond quick enough to her. I could also come home during the day and my husband and I were lucky enough to be on different work schedules at the time, so for the first few months she wasn't home alone for more than a couple of hours. We also crated her, which encouraged her to hold it a little more since they don't like to go where they sleep.

peppernaei · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

The rule of thumb is that they can hold it for their age in months plus one. So 11 weeks is almost 4 hours. All dogs are different.

If you are not strictly crate training, which I think would be your best option, I would set up a smaller area with the crate included (door open) and a potty place. Or crate train and then get someone to come in during the day to let your pup out. And when you are home but not able to watch him, he should be in the cate to prevent accidents. Every accident sets back training. You can also google Ian Dunbar's free pre-puppy book for guidance.

davidandress · Puppy Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks guys, great tips!

I will be more strict with crate training, as currently he hates being left alone in his crate, goes crazy barking and crying.

shouseholder · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:

Get him used to the crate slowly. There are lots of posts about crate training here too.

davidandress · Puppy Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 9

He's doing better!
At 11 weeks he knows now to go to the bathroom only outside.
I have slowly given him more Crate time, and he's now more used to it.
Cafu is growing fast!

shouseholder · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:12 am Post subject:

Good. Glad things are going better for you.