ARRRGGG

Pharaoh07 · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:06 am Post subject: ARRRGGG

I am going through an awful time housetraining my 3.5 month old puppy. When we first brought him home (he was a rescue who spent his infancy in a cage), we didn't watch him too closely so there were a few accidents.

We began watching him like a hawk a month ago, taking him outside after eating, sleeping, & playing, and issuing lots of praise and treats when he did his business outside. He will easily pee on command now. We designated one door as the Bathroom Access Only door, put bells on it, and I taught him how to ring them with the immediate result being a treat and an open door.

But we can NOT get him to alert us when he has to go! He'll sit at the door for about 10 seconds and if we miss that, we run the risk of him choosing a spot in the house instead. Every time he even brushes by the bells, we immediately jump up with praise and open the door.

I think he feels that the bells are required for ME to use to open the door, not for him to signal anything. We've tried to teach him to bark, but that doesn't work either, he's a very quiet dog.

Last night he slept in our bed, it's very high off the ground and he always fidgets when he needs to go out. I am out of bed in a flash taking him outside. However, last night my husband woke up and realized the dog was GONE. I flew out of bed, found him, and coaxed him excitedly towards the door. No desire to go out... because he left a nice big puddle on the carpet near the bed. Forensics say he was facing away from the door at the time so it wasn't like he even tried to head out. Needless to say we crated him for the rest of the night.

Winston KNOWS he needs to pee outside. He just doesn't know how to hold on and tell us. Maybe it's because we take him out so often without waiting for him to tell us?? I know if we don't, he'll go inside instead. I desperately need help!!!

peppernaei · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

Some of my dogs have never asked to go outside. They're all different. Are you still using the crate? Personally, it doesn't sound like he really knows to go outside yet.

I would start over in potty training (maybe on the weekend). I always start with going out every half hour when they're little and out of the crate especially after food and exercise. I then add 15 mins as they get better. Remember every accident in the house sets you back. I also interrupt the accident if I catch them in the act. I do this quietly, just scoop them up, since I don't want them to be afraid of relieving themselves in front of me.

Also I like to take them on a leash so that it is clearly potty time and not play time. Keep using your key word 'cause that is always handy and remember your crate is your best option when you can't watch him every second.

Just another thought. I had a friend who taught her dog the bells by having the bells rung on the way back in from a successful potty trip so the association was clearer.

Good Luck Very Happy

singsmom · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject:

When he is loose in the house try fastening him to you to make sure he doesn't sneak off for now. And their bladders can hold how old they are, so 3.5 months= 3.5 hours even at night. I never free feed either since puppies need to go right after eating and we always say the key word before and during pottying. I have been really lucky. My 17 week old has been perfect, but we watch him like a hawk and take him out often and he is crated at night. Luckily my son stays up late and lets him out last and I get up really early or hear him moving around and need to go in the night. A few times he has made it through the night- about 7-8 hours, probably if he didn't drink as much late.

yoko · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:45 pm Post subject:

All those ideas sound good.

One thing, have you thought of getting his urine checked to make sure he doesn't have a urinary tract infection? I only ask because Yoko had one at 4 months old and the symptoms were frequent peeing.

Pharaoh07 · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:33 pm Post subject:

AGGGHH!!! I swear, my dog must read these posts. Just after I posted it, Winston started ringing the bells on the door loudly and sits and waits patiently for us to open it. I can't believe it, it's been almost week and he has been consistent! I hate to jinx myself but.... I think my dog is housebroken!!!

Time to clean the carpets, this time for good.

greydogs · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

congratulations!
knock on wood and fingers and paws crossed.

Tarverfamily · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject:

LOL heheheheheheh hope he is... if he regresses (remember hes still a baby) I would try and crate him every night till he gets the routine. Also never let him out of your sight...thats when they are doing their thing... thats why crating at night is a good idea! Some will potty in the crate so make sure you thoroughly clean it if he does. I would also follow the advice I read higher up and take him in to the vet if its excessive. Remember they have small little bladders and sometimes the muscle aren't developed and he might have a hard time holding at this age. The bells might be triggering his bladder as my zipper will sometimes me! LOL Stay consistent expect & accidents hes a pup. Some pups get it right away others take a long time... Sounds like your doing a great job though...good work! Puppy pad by the door maybe???

scrbear11 · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:14 am Post subject:

Tarverfamily · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject:

How has he been doing ?? Getting better??

ICARUS · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:21 am Post subject:

freespiritmom · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:56 am Post subject:

I would try to stop giving a treat every time he rings the bell, offer praise and open the door, but he may be ringing just for the treat.

Pharaoh07 · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:15 pm Post subject:

I think he's got it!! He hasn't peed in the house once since that night Smile

I don't give him treats or praise or encouragement - he just walks up to the door when he has to go, rings it, goes out and does his thing, then returns.

I am so proud of him -- I think he figured I was at my wits end and then decided to do what I wanted him to do all along...

weimdawgs · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

Don't clean the carpets just yet...it'll jinx you. Wait just a bit.