She will NOT cooperate

[whitedaisy]

I was so ready to teach her to be the perfect dog, but she just isn't cooperating. I know she is very young and it will take time, but she has no interest in praise and very little interest in treats. Potty training is a struggle because it doesn't phase her that I'm getting all excited and offering a treat, and when I just caught her peeing on the floor and clapped my hands and said "ah - ah" loud, she didn't even slow her stream, she just kept on peeing. I have questioned her hearing and I'm pretty certain she can hear. Because she is slower to react and sometimes non reactive, I have wondered if she only has unilateral hearing? Mostly I think she just isn't interested in anything. I don't know how to get her interested, she doesn't respond to my excitement. Please help.

 

[SILLY6PAK]

Sounds like you might have a hearing issue. The picture in the aviator is the cutest ever.

 

[Murp.mm]

I agree that she may have a hearing problem although it took Ali quite awhile to be fully potty trained and she didn't make it through her obedience class but as she matured she settled down wonderfully. I would have her hearing checked out at the vet. Hope things work out for you and her. Good luck.

 

[whitedaisy]

you have to admit, it would certainly be a sight to behold!!
I appreciate the advice. Daisy is contained to the kitchen, except when she has JUST pee'd and poo'd, then she gets to explore a little. She has only had pee accidents (in the kitchen), and yes it is true that it was when we weren't doing our job. And I'm big on bell training, Archie is bell trained; but unfortunately the back door is in the dining room, which is carpeted, and Daisy doesn't get to play there so we haven't been using the bell for her. That will come when she gets a little more freedom. I'm just trying to find out what SHE thinks is postitive reinforcement so that I can offer her whatever that is!!! Man, what we do for our babies!!

 

[JoeMacBoxer]

Im having trouble housetraining my new puppy too.... At first I questioned Duke's hearing as well, but now I know that he just doesnt want to listen to me. I think the biggest reason that he keeps having accidents is that he doesnt know how to tell us that he needs to go outside. Hes only 9 weeks old, so hes kinda young, but hes been in our house for 3 weeks already.

Instead of going right in front of us now, he sneaks into the kitchen and goes under the table! I think he knows that hes not supposed to pee in the house because I caught him in the act yesterday and yelled really loud and he took off running and hid behind the couch....he's never really done that before. It was pretty cute. I cant stay mad at him for more than 5 minutes...

 

[matrok]

Truthfully, until the age of 6-7 months, YOU are trained, not the dog. This is so misunderstood. Also, some breeds potty train at different rates. What I mean is my parents mini-schnauzer was trained by 4 months, no issues, no accidents. I don't know any boxer owner that can say this confidently.

I also agree that we push them to "learn" things and to be "reliable" when they are too young, we have to do our job as the human and take the dog out ALL THE TIME and WATCH 24/7! This cannot be stressed enough. I think we went outside every 30-45 minutes in waking hours during potty training. If they don't go, we stay outside until they do. Trust me, Jan and Feb were brutal to potty train. Eventually, with your consistency and praise the dog will get it. We have such high expectations for them, but they are just a baby. Rugby took longer, I will add, he had more accidents in the house than Leila ever did and it wasn't for a lack of letting him out often enough...he just doesn't always relieve himself fully each time he goes out to potty.

Hang in there, it works out for most of us!

 

[Biff]

How excited are you when praising Daisy?

This excited? or
This excited?

I'm sure the neighbours thought I'd won the lotto when Biff first started peeing outside You've really got to be mega excited, jump about like a loony and clap hands and praise! praise! praise! in a high pitched squeaky voice!

As a reward, try keeping back "special treats" - something she loves, but only gets in she wins your praise. Tiny blocks of cheese work with Biff - that boy would do anything for a wee bit cheese!

Most of all, don't get disheartened or think of giving up.....persevere - you will win in the end. Start each day as Day 1, and put any previous "failures" well behind you.

Good luck!

 

[Jan]

the back door is in the dining room, which is carpeted, and Daisy doesn't get to play there so we haven't been using the bell for her.

Then put the bell in the kitchen. The bell can be put anywhere. All she has to know, is that when she rings the bell, she gets to go out.

 

[paysmom]

Also, some breeds potty train at different rates. What I mean is my parents mini-schnauzer was trained by 4 months, no issues, no accidents. I don't know any boxer owner that can say this confidently.

I can say it! I can say it!!! :D
Our Payton has had 3 accidents since he was 9 weeks old- He is SOOOO good. I can truly say he was the easiest dog that I have ever potty trained.

(My female shihtzu- now thats another story..... )

 

[whitedaisy]

You are all correct. I started out with and she really didn't respond so lately I've been I did start clicker training yesterday and I'm not sure she gets "it" but she knows I have treats!!!! I'll work on looking like a loonie when she potties! Also, I will move the door bell ASAP - I deserve a lashing because my teenager insisted we should put a bell in the kitchen and I insisted that it would be confusing to run her through other rooms. Archie trained MUCH easier but he was also 12 weeks when I got him. After the fireworks last night we are very much suspecting some hearing loss, so I will be asking the vet about that today when she gets her shots - but in another thread I had mentioned one dirty ear - so she could have an infection or something causing the hearing problem too.