Potty Training

[karenst]

Hello From Michigan

I have been beating my head against the wall trying to train my mini.  He is 8 months old and we have had him since he was 9 weeks old.   We have tried everything. Read all the books, positive praise, etc.

He goes outside first thing every morning and does his business.  We praise him with treats.   After that the rest is down hill.   We let him out after he eats or plays , however he then comes in and goes inside!!!  He knows he is wrong, because the second he goes he runs out of the room as fast as he can.   When we are gone he is in his kennel and holds it the entire time - so I know it is not that he "can't".  His latest is running under my bed and getting where  can't reach him and going number 2!!

We love this little guy to pieces - but cannot figure out what we are doing wrong.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[Merion]

Make sure you are watching to make sure he goes outside.  If he doesn't go when you take him out put him in the crate for a while then take him out again.  Make sure you take him there on the leash or carry him so he doesn't have a chance to go.  If he goes he gets to be free if not then back in the crate he goes. Wait a while and then try again.  My Zena was trying this too but she is learning no freedom unless she goes, if I know she should really need to go.  Good Luck!!!!

Merion & the ZZ's

[papbouv]

This works you just have to be consitant with it dog show people taught me this years ago put a six foot leash on the puppy/dog let them go to one area in the yard where you want them to go,stand in that spot they can sniff,walk around you but they have to stay in that 6ft area,tell them go potty or what ever words you want to use has to be the same words all the time,when they do go act like it is the greatest thing you ever saw Praise,Praise,Praise some times give a treat.If the do not go back to a crate or safe floor area try again in about 20 minutes or so,You need to take them out every hour or so depending on how big the pup/dog is the smaller the animal the smaller the bladder etc. Do not give free excess to the house out the leash on them attach it to your waist that way they cannot sneak off and go under the bed etc.If no time for that put in a crate/ or safe area gated bathroom or kitchen.You must go out with them everytime tell them the phrase and you may have to do this for 3 months or more.Everytime they wake up from a nap,playing,after eating & drinking. You might consider picking up water a couple of hours before bed time also feeding times should be the same times everyday then you will know about when they will need to go poop no free feeding I would feed at least twice a day. If you do this consistently you will soon have a dog that will go potty on comand which comes in very handy on road trips,rain ,snow etc. This really works have trained a AM Staffordshire terrier,2 Bouviers,a Papillon, a Minnie Doxie & a Doberman.
Good Luck also it helps to get a black light and go over the house at night and clean all accidents with the enzyme stuff that gets rid of all traces of passed accidents.
Patches Mom
PS: Re read your post I hope you are not getting on to him when you find an accident makes things harder to deal with if there is accident say nothing clean it up they do not know it is wrong Read Culture Clash it has an article in it about Potty training they go by your body language. Now in the future their should be no accidents in the house because he will be leashed to you or crated Good Luck

[Jenny G]

You're little fellow looks quite dapper in his polo and sweater vest! 

[karenst]

Thanks!  We love it on him also - just wish he would like it instead of chewing it!!!

[karenst]

Thanks Merion - I appreciate your your help.   

[karenst]

papbouv
Thanks for the insight.  I guess its back to the basics.  The leash is a great idea. I am trying to keep positive when I find the accidents, however I am starting to get worn down and I am sure he is beginning to sense it.  When I catch him in the act I pick him up and we go outside immediately.  However, he hates going outside so I think he runs so I will not put him out.  I have trained 3 dogs, but he by far is my greatest challenge - but still would not trade him for anything :thumb:  Thanks again

[papbouv]

Another reason for the leash these guys are so low to the ground hard to see when they go if you are not right there with them It took longer to train Patches than my other dogs too,small dogs are harder to train than big dogs must be the sizes of bladders??? I also put a Potty Bell on the back door every time I took Patches out to Potty I would ring the bell she finely started ringing the bell on her own. Now she likes to come talk to me when she has to go but will still ring the bell once in awhile.Just be consitant that is why this works it will not work if you are not consitant with it bing 8 month s old should not take too long I hope.This even works with grown dogs if you hang in there it will be nice for years & years snow,sleet,rain & trips.
Papbouv