The Joys of Puppy Potty Training

[Badger Girl]

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Here's the deal: my new puppy, Bentley (English Mastiff) is 9 weeks old. The last pup I potty trained was two years ago when I got my Saint Bernard. WOW....potty training is way harder this time. I have to blame the lady that I got the pup from (my neighbor) because she blocked the litter off in her house with baby gates and "some" puppy pads all day. Basically, the litter pooped and peed all over the place. The first time my pup ever set foot outside was Monday, which was when I got him. I'm doing the crate training thing, but he still poops and pees in it, even when we blocked part of the crate off. Also, he does this really weird thing where he will urinate laying down....on your lap or on the chair (that's my fault for putting him up there), or when he is laying in the kennel. I can't blame the little guy for freezing when I take him outside in the snow to go potty. He just wants to go right back in.

SO......does anybody have any good potty training tips? Also, how many times per day have you guys fed your new puppy? I have typically done free choice at my house, but I'm not sure that's going to work with this one until his bladder and bowel control is a little better.

Thanks everyone! You rock. 😀

 

[Steelmagghia]

If he is used o the puppy pads, it may be best to bring puppy pads with you when you go outside so he learns to go on them outside. Keep rewarding him when he actually goes outside then gradually start taking the puppy pad away.

Also, my little girl learned best by me making her watch me clean up "oopses"....I mean the whole process, including throwing it out and scrubbing the left over spot rather than me yelling at her and carrying on. It took her until she was just past six months to be able to hold it ALL the time, but once she hit that point, she has been wonderful since. One accident in almost a year...and she was home alone for way too long that one time.

 

[chris03333]

Here's the deal: my new puppy, Bentley (English Mastiff) is 9 weeks old. The last pup I potty trained was two years ago when I got my Saint Bernard. WOW....potty training is way harder this time. I have to blame the lady that I got the pup from (my neighbor) because she blocked the litter off in her house with baby gates and "some" puppy pads all day. Basically, the litter pooped and peed all over the place. The first time my pup ever set foot outside was Monday, which was when I got him. I'm doing the crate training thing, but he still poops and pees in it, even when we blocked part of the crate off. Also, he does this really weird thing where he will urinate laying down....on your lap or on the chair (that's my fault for putting him up there), or when he is laying in the kennel. I can't blame the little guy for freezing when I take him outside in the snow to go potty. He just wants to go right back in.

SO......does anybody have any good potty training tips? Also, how many times per day have you guys fed your new puppy? I have typically done free choice at my house, but I'm not sure that's going to work with this one until his bladder and bowel control is a little better.

Thanks everyone! You rock. 😀

I fed my dog 3 times a day as a puppy. You have to take your pup put every couple of hours to start with (and definately after each feeding). Immediately after he finishes (not during the act) give him a little praise. Watch for the cues (sniffing around, etc) and take him outside when you see that. Make sure you clean up all of the messes with enzymatic cleaners.

 

[Badger Girl]

Thanks guys! I've been praising as best I can and not punishing when there are accidents. I usually say "No" when he starts to sniff and squat. I can usually tell when he is about to go poop because his anal region seems to protrude more than usual. Sometimes I don't get there on time, though. The lady that I got him from was more than likely inconsistent at best with using the puppy pads. I think the little guy is a little confused, not to mention shocked when we go outside and there is a ton of snow everywhere!

 

[Angelo84]

The general rule with puppies is that the crate should give them enough room to turn around in and no larger. Otherwise they can mess on one side and sleep on the other. I think the crate time rule is the numer of months old they are plus 1. So your puppy at nine weeks should be able to "hold it" for three hours. Take the puppy out after meals (should have to go about 15 minutes after eating), after playtime, whenever they wake up from a nap. If the puppy isn't going outside you can bring some of the mess from inside and put it where you want him to go. It should help give him the idea. If he's peeing over night you can try taking water away an hour before bedtime or giving only a few ice cubes instead of a whole bowl. There's a good book by the Kilcommons called Good Owners Good Dogs. They have a pretty good schedule in there.

Good luck!

 

[Electrophile]

I got my Malinois puppy at eight weeks (albeit from a fantastic breeder) and I can count the number of accidents he had on one hand due to a couple factors. Think Harry Potter: CONSTANT VIGILANCE! If both eyes are not on the pup, the pup needs to be in the crate or on a tether tied to you! When you can watch the pup, the pup needs to be on a drag line (a cheap leash with the handle cut off is fine) in the house. This will make it easier to rush the pup outside so you're not scrambling to get the leash when you see him circling. It will also make it easier to grab the pup if he's getting into something inappropriate.

He needs to go out every hour on the hour when you are home for the first 2 weeks or so to get him on a schedule. After that, or when you are not home, like was previously suggested, he'll need to go out as often as he is old in months as in hours plus or minus an hour, so 2 months=1-3 hours. My pup spent the vast majority of his time in the crate for the first few months and VERY gradually earned time out. But now he's almost 11 months and quite well behaved in the house for a Malinois! Time in the crate now will also imprint him on good things to chew, like Kongs and whatnot, instead of shredding inappropriate things. Ditch any and all pee pads! All they do is teach them to go inside and many pups love shredding them instead of using them. A crate with fun and yummy toys and a steady schedule is a much better investment of time and money. Good luck!

 

[athenaparthenos]

Also, make sure there's a cleanly shoveled place for him to go potty so he doesn't get distracted/afraid of the snow 🙂

 

[critterfixer]

If he's peeing while laying down and is willing to pee all over himself, I believe I'd have him evaluated by a veterinarian to be sure you are not dealing with something like diabetes insipidis, patent urachus, ectopic ureters, or even a run of the mill UTI. Having accidents can be normal in a puppy, obviously, but what you are describing sounds like something to have checked out.

 

[tealamutt]

I totally agree with electrophile. I just fostered and potty trained two pups (back to back, not simultaneously) and vigilance is your best friend. I found taking them out very frequently (at first every 20-30 min.) is the key. Watch for circling and sniffing and always always get them out immediately after coming out of the crate or after eating. Also agree about ditching the puppy pads. Good luck to you- it's hard work but those first few days with no mistakes when it's starting to click are so worth it, you feel like a real proud momma!!

 

[LVT2DVM]

I think this is in agreement with most people posting.
Key concept> BE PROACTIVE not Reactive. Its good to watch for signs, but pups this young need to be taken out frequently (every 1-2 hours) during active times (outside of crate). Go to your vet for a new pup visit, make sure everything is up to par--this is a must! If everything checks out, Make a schedule and stick to it. Routine = success. Feed, Potty, Play, Potty, Sleep, Potty, Repeat. Crate and teather lead are good tools but dont rely on these alone. Praise is essential but it sounds like you've got that part down. One of the things I tell our clients is not to sabatage success by setting up situations that cause pets to fail. Examples include, not staying on schedule, allowing them access to areas they shouldnt be in (dont get mad when they pee on your new carpet or chew your new shoes when you control the access) or expecting too much too soon.

 

[Badger Girl]

The pup has his "well puppy visit" next Tuesday, so I'll be sure to let them know about the urinating while laying down bit. It is great advice to be proactive; especially if we would be dealing with something that isn't his fault. I cannot believe how different this guy is from my Saint Bernard when he was a pup. I have definitely realized that I had it very easy with him, but I'm up for the challenge. It's all part of the adventure! 😀

 

[pupsforseeing]

If it's any encouragement, the trouble you're facing with potty training isn't necessarily a sign of things to come. I raise guide dogs, so I re-live the puppy stage all too often. My puppy that was most difficult to potty train/crate train (screamed so loud in the crate at 8 weeks old that you could hear her down the street, would pee in her crate and THEN scream to go out, would have an accident 5 minutes after relieving outside without any medical explanation, etc.), was by far my easiest puppy once she got past those issues. The first 6 weeks or so with her was absolutely miserable. Probably God's punishment to me for agreeing to get a puppy the week before finals (yeah, BAD idea!). I slept ZERO. I was miserable. She was miserable. It was just a bad situation. But, through LOTS of consistency, hard work, and knocking a little sense into her, she became one of the most trustworthy, well-behaved, easy to manage dogs I have ever worked with. She was the "model student" that I would hand off to prospective puppyraisers without any handling experience because she was so easy to work. All that to say relax, have fun, and in a really short time this will all be behind you!