Comments on: I am having problems potty training my new puppy, any tips?

By: jessfors

jessfors — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:13:59 +0000

After the puppy wakes up froma nap, take him to the litter box. After the puppy eats, take hime to the litter box. If the puppy starts sniffing around, take him/her to the litter box. It’s all about consistency. always reward him/her with a few pets, and kind words, or belly rub. Never ever hit the puppy, because he/she will only freak out, and do it inside more or when you try to pick him/her up to go. You’ll traumatize him/her. Also make sure you clean up where he/she has urinated in the past, becasue if the smell is still there, it will compel him/her to keep going in the same place. Goodluck!
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By: stevewbcanada

stevewbcanada — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:33:59 +0000

I agree that a litter box is a bad idea. My new puppy was paper trained when I got her. Because I refuse to crate a dog, she has always had the run of the house but always used the newspaper if I couldn’t take her outside (due to being away at work, for example). As she got older, I reduced the amount of newspaper area, keeping it close to the front door. At about 7 months of age, I stopped using newspaper completely. It’s one month later, and she has only had two accidents. It’s important while training to teach your puppy to whine/cry to go outside, since outside is where you ultimately want him to go. When he does go outside, make sure to praise him a lot, but don’t punish him if he has an accident in the house. Keep in mind that puppies have very small bladders and bowels, and will have to go very frequently.
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By: irish.cailin

irish.cailin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:24:59 +0000

Try using the pee pads without the box. My pup was ok with the pads, but scared of the box.
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By: ananimalloverinkentucky

ananimalloverinkentucky — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:18:59 +0000

dogs by nature do not poop in the same area all the time..try moving the litter box a small distance from where it was the last time

also why not take him outside to do his business and scoop it up afterwards?

this will be less frustrating on you and him…dogs can sense your frustration and anxieties and if everytime you get worked up even just a little this will affect his training…also instead of rewards for a job correctly/well done praise will do a better job…after a while he will come to expect treats for everything correctly done which can lead to an overweight dog….dogs love attention/praise and there is no better reward for a dog than praise

NEVER SPANK YOUR DOG FOR ANYTHING ESPECIALLY WHILE POTTY TRAINING….it will just make matters worse…
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currently have 4 dogs and 3 cats living with us and housebreaking has been a breeze so far

By: Aly

Aly — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:38:59 +0000

u are doing fine all pups are lik that trust me just comfort him and let him know its ok to go in his litter box
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By: blurose

blurose — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:09:59 +0000

Be patient and keep trying. Your puppy will learn to go where he is supposed to with patients. My dog is two and still has accidents when she is not payed attention to. Keep trying and he will learn. Your might try putting the pad next to the potty box and letting him get used to going on the pad, then moving it into the box. That might help.
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By: Bonsylar

Bonsylar — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:37:59 +0000

Put the box in the middle of the floor and put the pad things around it. Give him a bigger target to hit for now. As he gets the idea that you want him to go on the pads gradually decrease the amount of pads until the only one is in the box.
He may be objecting to the box itself. Consider just using the pads.
Be patient. Puppies can take a month or two to learn.
Be consistent. You are doing the right things, keep at it.
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By: Sandra H

Sandra H — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:20:59 +0000

i suggest you take off the top of the litter box. he might be scared
inside because it’s kind of closed in. (you know, almost like closterfobic) if you take it off he might realize, "hey. i’m not closed in" and it might get better.
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good luck

By: luckyc501

luckyc501 — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:05:59 +0000

Dont use the box. Dogs associate the box with a bed, and dogs wont deficate/urinate where they sleep. I recomend if you have time to help your dog go on pads, you have time to take him outside. I am a proffesional trainer, and what I do is frequent short walks that are focused on going to the bathroom. Start by using the command "go potty". Say this any time you think he is going to committ to going to the bathroom. Then reward him with lots of praise and maybe a treat or two. Reward him everytime he goes outside, even if he were to go on your shoe, if he is outside he should be rewarded. He will soon associate releiving himself with food and praise, and he will be winning to go pee so he can get a snack. I hope this helps
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By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:32:59 +0000

I don’t have experience with anything other than crate training/making them go outside, but it sounds like you’re doing just fine. Just be patient. It takes time for potty training to be complete. Age and breed has a lot to do with it, too. Some breeds just pick it up faster than others, and some dogs just may need further development to understand when and where they can go.

It could be hard for him to distinguish where in the house he can go. Since you aren’t taking him outside, he may assume that anywhere in the house is fine for using… keep praising him for going in the litter box, and he will start associating positive feedback with going in the box.

Be patient; you’re doing it right, he just needs time! Good luck
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