5 mos old - still potty training

[bea'smum]

Bea is 5 months old and still having "accidents" in the house...I think what is most frustrating is that they don't seem like accidents anymore and they don't seem like the kind that are our own fault for not paying attention. Instead of going to the door she will bolt up the stairs. Usually we are sitting right in front of her and call out for her to come back because we know what she's up to. If she listens we take her outside, she goes, and we praise her. Sometimes she ignores us and goes on the landing or at the top of the stairs anyway. If we catch her in the act we say no and then take her outside but this just keeps happening. I just don't understand what makes her head upstairs (farther away than the door) instead of to the door on these occasions. We just finished puppy kindergarten last week and I overheard several owners (of dogs the same age as Bea or younger) talking about how their dogs never have accidents anymore. I'm trying to stay positive but I am getting frustrated. She is staying with another family for a few days over the holidays and I'm scared she's going to pee all over their house because she can't figure out the whole door thing! Any advice?

 

[mancin]

Have you cleaned the area well that she keeps going to? She may smell the scent and think it's OK to go there. Have you tried Nature's Miracle? Many people on the board here use it and say it's great. I use at as well and have had good experiences w/ it.
Can you put a baby gate in front of the stairs so she can't go up the stairs?
Does she do this at a certain time every day?
Tyson is also 5 months and not 100% potty trained. I've read on here and it could take up to a year for puppies to be 100% reliable.
Maybe you could also try bell training? Have her ring a bell w/ her paw or nose when you take her outside to go potty. That could be more reliable for her to let you know when she needs to go.

 

[cody&duke]

Duke wasn't completely potty trained until he was 6 months old. It just seemed to "click." I did have to put up baby gates so he couldn't go upstairs or in the dining room, you may want to try that if she has a favorite spot.

Another reason I think it took Duke longer than other puppies that I have read about is because when my bf was home with him, he wasn't as consistent as when I was with him. I think consistency is the key.

 

[Jan]

It would appear that she hasn't learned that the only place she should go is outside. I would take her out frequently enough that she will be successful. Put her on a leash and tether her to you. That way there is no way that you can miss her getting restless and take her out.

I highly reccomend that you read the book "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson. It has an excellent section on housetraining. Maybe if you read it, you will see what you are doing wrong, if anything!

Good luck!

 

[bea'smum]

Thank you so much for your replies. I think I will try all of your suggestions. I think we have cleaned the area well but I am certainly willing to try the product you mentioned if it has such a great reputation. I also hadn't thought of tethering her to me during the time when she does this. I think she is getting close to being fully trained - or to having it "click" for her as you said- so I am willing to do just about anything to get her over this hurdle! Thanks again.