afraid i'm messing up

[cscarro]

Hi again - this forum is so helpful, I can't stop posting!

So, our 8 week old pup Stella just got here last sunday. The first 2 days I was scared that it was too cold for her outside (and she wasn't going when I brought her out there) that we initially tried paper training (paper was right by door). Then, I talked to vet and he said it was fine to go outside so we have been taking her out and crating her, trying to be consistent with when we take her out.

I always take her out right when she gets out of crate, let her come in to have play time (which is usually 40 minutes to an hour). I work from home so i can keep a good eye on her when playing. Then, I try to take her out again before relaxing and going back in crate and she never goes! Even though I watch her like a hawk, she occasionally pees (she is SO fast) on the carpet in our house.

Just this last time, I took her out before going back in crate. She didn't go so i put her in crate and got a phone call. when i came back, she pooped in there (first time).

It doesn't seem like she is getting it. I know it has been less than a week but does anyone have any other suggestions. every time there is an accident (usually once or twice a day) i feel like im totally messing up!

 

[LeeUmm]

You're not screwing up per se at all. There are going to be accidents at that age, no matter what almost.

A dog that young cannot hold their bladder. So from the time they realize they have to pee, it's pretty much instant it's coming out where ever they are. They don't understand what is right and wrong at that age, so don't even bother punishing her for it because that will only confuse her.

The best thing to do is just take her out every half hour or so. When you take her out, do not bring her back inside until she goes, even if that means waiting for a while. When she does go, give her a ton of praise. Be very excited/happy, show her what she did was good. Maybe even treats.

A dog won't comprehend the whole potty training thing until around 6 months. They may get used to going right away when you take them outside, but that doesn't mean they understand right from wrong, or can hold it. They learn all that in stages.

I know you mentioned only doing it because of the cold, but don't paper train. You're essentially telling the dog it's okay to pee inside, and will eventually have to move it outside, so it's best to just do it from the start.

So in summary, just keep taking her out every half hour or so to prevent her from peeing inside. You have no chance at teaching her anything at that age, so the game you're playing right now is just prevention.

Good luck and do a search for 'potty training' or similar phrases as this is a pretty common thread.

 

[HostelDog]

Another useful thing is to use a word associate with going the toilet. We use 'Fiona pee-pee' or 'Fiona poo-poo'. Yes, we do get some funny looks from people It's great because as she has gotten older we can say these words and firstly she knows it's ok to do her business & second when it's really cold outside we dont have to hang around for ages waiting for her to go.

We taught her these words by saying them when she was going the toilet and as soon as she finished giving her a treat & lots of praise. She clicked on very quickly. Good luck!

 

[Sansal]

After a while you will also know her schedule better and know the symptoms when she has to go potty and that will make it easier for you to take her out the right time.
When you watch her play make sure you take her outside immediately when you see her suddenly stop playing and sniffing around. That is a good sign that she has to go. You have to be quick, I know it's tough in the winter! I always had to run down from the third floor with my puppy in my arms!

 

[Jan]

Everyone is giving you pretty good advice here. How big is your crate. It should only be big enough that she can stand up turn around and lay down. If she can sleep in one end and pee in the other she will.

If you take her outside and she doesn't eliminate, you need to put her back in the crate. She shouldn't be getting free play time until she has peed. When you take her out of the crate. Pick her up and carry her outside. This will eliminate accidents on the way to the door. Also, make sure that you reward her every time she goes outside.

Good luck!

 

[LeeUmm]

Oh, right. As was touched on, when they're done playing and when they wake up from naps is a good time to take them out to pee, no matter how long its been.

And looking for signs they're about to go is key, like has been mentioned. Generally, and all dogs are different, they'll sniff and go around in circles when they have to poop.

If she does pee in the house and you catch her, the best thing to do is make a loud noise to kinda scare her. You don't want to yell and punish though. You want to try and get her to stop, then take her outside to finish while then praising her for doing so. I know with my pup when I was doing it, no matter how much I yelled or pulled on her collar to move her outside would get her to stop. She'd just keep going. I even tried picking her up once, but she'd finish in the house. So taking her outside to finish wasn't really an option.

When cleaning up messes in the house, don't let her see. Take her somewhere else. Maybe just lock her up in the crate, but be careful to not make it look like a punishment cause you don't want the dog to associate the crate with bad things or punishment.

 

[bawlinkids]

I totally agree with everything said here. Every time Bentley went to the bathroom (poop or pee) I would say "good potty Bentley" now every time I take him out all I have to do is say "go potty" and no matter what he is doing at the time, he stops and goes immediately. Even if it's just a dribble, he knows what I mean when I say it. He is 5 mo. old today and is fantastic with the potty thing. Patients is definately the key.

 

[Fat Possom]

you're fine!

Rosie did not get the potty thing at all until she was about 3 months old. Now she never goes in the house unless we've forgotten to leave her door open. Occasionally she gets too excited when people visit, but other than that she's great.

She won't go on command yet, I'm not sure she's getting it, but she will.

Stay consistent and use clear commands.

 

[cscarro]

thanks for all the great advise and comments!

her crate is a large sized wire crate. i think i will put up a divider in it so that when we aren't home she wont go.

appreciate all the help!