Housebreaking...

[Asia's Folks]

I am having several issues with housebreaking our 8 week old puppy Asia. I am reading that people are taking their pups out to do their business. Am I correct in thinking that by "out" they are saying outside? Asia is only 8 weeks old and does not have all of her shots. We have been told before that it is not safe for a puppy to be outside without all their shots. We are using wee-wee pads. And let me tell you, Asia is not doing as good as we had hoped. She has done her business several times on the pads, but often just goes wherever she is. We think it comes from the way she has been living. Where she used to live she stayed in like a coop that had holes in the bottom so she could just go and it fell through. Now we are telling her she has to go here, and it is hard for her. we are also crate training her. we put her in her crate, which is dvided for now, at night. Saturday night, her first with us, she got us up about 9 times. She also peed and pooped in her crate. Last night we only had to get up about 5 times. Yet again she peed and pooped in her crate. Each time we got up to check on her, we let her out to see if she would go potty, but she wouldn't or she would try to lay on the pad as if it were her bed or pillow. Also today we went to work for the first time. We had read in "Boxer's For Dummies" that you shouldn't leave your puppy home alone in her crate, so we blocked off an area for her to be in. My wife got home before I did and she said the mess was horrendous. Asia went all over the place and walked in it tracking it all over the floor. We use the "Nature's Miracle Odor Remover" to eliminate her scent from where we don't want her to go. But she still goes where she wants to. Am I expecting too much too soon? Should we leave a wee-wee pad in her crate with her? I don't want her to get used to going potty in her crate. We have also decided to leave Asia in her crate tomorrow while we are at work. My wife and I are both assistant teachers and work 5 days a week from 8 to 3. My father-in-law lives upstairs and used to frequently visit our rottie when we had her, and I am sure he will do the same for Asia. But she needs to be crated for those hours. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

First of all the dog is terribly confused. You need to be consistent with the pup so he will learn, both faster and more completely.

There is no reason why you cannot take your pup out for potty. Just keep the dog from roaming around, take it to a place in your yard or nearby where there aren't a lot of other dogs, and keep the pup away from other dogs' feces. The pup will be just fine. He has plenty of immunity from disease from his mother at this point.

Your dog SHOULD be kept in a crate while you are gone. The crate should be small enuf so that dog can turn, lie down and be comfortable WITHOUT room to pee/poop in the corners and still have room for himself. Divide it off with a divider or cardboard.

Be consistent. Take the dog out on schedule, on leash, to the same spot each time. Encourage the pup to do his business and when he does, IMMEDIATELY, on the spot, give him lots of praise and a little treat. Do it outside! If he doesn't pee/poop in 5 minutes, take h im back inside, keep him on leash and take him out if he shows signs of having to go or starts to go. Keep a close eye on him. HELP THE DOG SUCCEED and see what is best for him. He needs your guidance and patience.

Yes, that it too long for a pup to be crated in a day. If you can get your FIL to come and take him out as aforesaid, a couple of times during your absence, you are going to see a happier dog, and the housebreaking will happen that much faster as he is getting the same signals from your FIL as he is from you.

Rule of thumb: Pups can "hold it" for about an hour for each month he is of age. Guide yourself and your outings accordingly. Also, always about 15 minutes after meals/water and always after playing and upon waking and one good one late before YOU go to bed.

Good luck.

You can check the search engine on with terms such as "house training" and "housebreaking" and find lots of other tips and suggestions.

 

[Asia's Folks]

Thank you Tulsa-Dan. I will tell my wife what you told me here. Our major concern though about outside is cats. There are a lot of stray cats in our neighborhood and they hang out by our garage. Many times we can smell their urine. Should we be worried about this and is it still safe to take out little Asia?

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

If you keep the pup on leash and control where he goes, you should not have any problems. I don't think dogs can get much from cats in terms of illness. Each species has its own.