My carpet is getting ruined! I need potty training help!

[MudgeOtis]

I know Mudge is little, he's almost 10 weeks. But, I feel like I'm going bonkers with all the pooping and peeing he's doing on my floors!

He'll usually go outside if I take him out (by that, I mean, physically going outside with him). But, whether he's been out or not, he'll still come right in the house and go on my floors! I can't tell you how many times I've just taken him out, let him back in, and he's walked right next to me and peed!

I'm trying ever so hard to have patience, but I have to admit it's wearing thin. I really don't feel like we've moved any closer to getting him potty trained then where we were at the first couple days he was home with us.

I take him out after he eats or drinks, whenever he wakes up from a nap, before putting him to bed at night, first thing in the morning, and whenever he looks like he's just wandering. How often do puppies need to go out? Is he pottying too much?

TIA

 

[Kirby Kirb]

Sounds very normal to me! We took Kirby out every 10-15 min, if not sooner. Every time he walked around..sniffed, I would scoop him up and take him out, constantly saying the word "go outside, good boy" . The bell training I find very successful, we started Kirby on it, shortly after we got him, and in about a week he was trained! Sure there was the odd accident, but I had to remind myself that he is like a toddler, and I have to be consistent. It was not the dog's fault, it was the owner. Best of luck, hang in there!

 

[JaredKyah]

I know that it helped a great deal when I was told to reward Remy with praise and treats for pottying outside. If she went inside she would get nothing, but going outside, she knew she was in for her favorite treats and a lot of praise from me.

 

[ehayes21]

He's still a baby puppy so you have a little ways to go. You might have a vet take a look to rule out a Urinary Tract Infection. If there is one present, it will make him go often and without notice. Aside from that - it sounds like you have all the major pee times taken care of - what I would do in between is just take him out every twenty minutes or so and adjust his potty needs accordingly. Also - do you treat and praise when he goes outside? If not I would start - it's a good way to associate pottying outside with a positive reward - at least until he is old enough to grasp the idea of where to go. One other point I would make is that if you find an accident - don't make a big deal over it. If you catch him in the act, get his attention by an Ah-Ah-Ah and quickly move him outside. You might want to use some Natures Miracle or vinegar to get the scent out. He'll get it, some do quicker than others and they do have a tendancy to relapse, so stock up on that patience!

 

[bradybunch]

I used an old towel to clean up one of Spike's accidents and then placed it in the yard where we wanted his to go potty. Every time we went outside I took him directly over to the towel and had him sniff it. It didn't take him a week before he knew what to do. After he went potty outside he got a yummy treat and tons praise. That was at 12 weeks old, but by the time he was 6 months old I had another problem, he would not come to me and tell me he had to go outside, if I didn't let him out he would go on the floor. So I bell trained him, which he is almost a year old now and will go sit at the door, and if no one lets him out he will ring the bell. They are trying times, but just try and be patient and remember he is just a baby. He will catch on pretty soon! Good Luck!

 

[ELubas]

I used an old towel to clean up one of Spike's accidents and then placed it in the yard where we wanted his to go potty. Every time we went outside I took him directly over to the towel and had him sniff it. It didn't take him a week before he knew what to do. QUOTE]

I did this too and it really helped-kind of marks the spot for them. Be patient-one day you will realize he has not had an accident in forever

 

[MudgeOtis]

Thank you everyone for your responses!

Yes, I do praise him whenever he goes outside. I forgot to mention that before. Mudge doesn't like his dog treats, or at least, we haven't found a brand he does like. Maybe that's worth putting some more effort into.

I really liked the towel idea. I will for sure try that tonight.

I've been using this Pet Odor carpet stuff from Walmart. Is there a chance that he still smells the pee, despite the carpet cleaner, and is confused that he should continue to pee on the floor? Would vinegar be better?

The bell idea is good too. We're still undecided if we should install a dog door, so I'm not sure yet which is the better way to go.

I know I need to work on my patience. I appreciate all of your support with this, it's been a good reminder that Mudge is still a puppy and I need to treat him more like one.

Thanks again and if anyone else has any ideas, keep 'em coming!
= )

 

[Jan]

Mudge is only 10 weeks old. There is no way that he is going to be potty trained at that age. Some pups always seem to need to go twice, so it might be a good idea to keep him outside a little longer. Be glad that you are house training where the weather is not too cold. I have a new puppy too and it is really cold here. Today it is minus 20 degrees C. and house training is a real challenge. Moto does not want to go outside, ever. He has figured out that I always take him out when he gets out of his crate so now he doesn't want to come out of his crate. Grrrrrrrrrr! I don't expect to have a lot of success with Moto's house training until the weather improves.

You need lots of patience when house training. You will get there eventually. Think positive.

 

[tianthai]

Your pup is only 10 weeks old. He has no way to know that he has to do his business outside. When mine was about 3 months old, I took him out almost every 30 minutes if he did not do anything, I held him for 10 minutes and out again. Housebreaking a dog needs a lot of time and patience. My dog is now over 8 months old and he slowly gets there, has not got any accident in such a long time but the last (over)5 months I did not do anything than taking him out, some days it was over 24 times!

Rule no. 1, take him out first thing in the morning, after nap, before nap, after meal, after snack, after active play, after exciting moment.
Rule no. 2, always supervise him
Rule no. 3, write a diary, put down the exact time you take him out, what he does. After a couple of weeks you should be able to see his pattern
Rule no. 4, his meals should be the same time each day, no free feeding. Last water is 2 hours before his bedtime, last meal 4 hours before.

I use 3/4 vinegar mix with 1/4 water to clean off his pee at home. For the carpet I spray 100 % white vinegar on it and take it off with kitchen towel or towel.

I tried to bell train my dog but he is very playful and he rings when he wants to go out, not to pee but to see the sky or meet the neighbours. But I heard many successful stories about it.

Hang in there and good luck!

 

[MudgeOtis]

Thank you to both of you.

I didn't know that 10 weeks was WAY too young to expect him to be getting this. So, what I'm understanding, is that I'll have several more months of this, easy. I'm starting to wish I didn't have carpeted floors.

I will print this all out and keep trying what everyone has recommended. My youngest has just started potty training too. Looks like I'll be wiping up lots of "oopsies" and doing tons of laundry. FUN! Oh well, I'll get through it.

Thanks again!