potty training my puppies?
10 Nov 2009
I have two cocker spaniels they are 9 weeks old. Im trying to potty train them by using the crate method. They both have there on crate. I take them out alot because Im at home all the time so its like every 2 to 3 hours I take them out and they both use it. But for some reason they keep using the bathroom in the crate and I clean it out with some pet odor remover but they keep using it in the crate. I bought some training pads and I follow the instructions for the pad when I let them out in the house.The instructions say put the puppy on the pad or close to it for the puppy smells it. Well they both smell it and go somewhere in the house and use the bathroom the instructions say if they do that bring them right back to the pad well I have done that and they continue to use the bathroom in the house can someone give me some instructions to get my puppies potty train bbecause I am reall ready for my puppies to be free without the crate thanks for answering this question if you
9 weeks is even a bit young to leave the mom - and just like children - it is not a quick learn. Your puppies do not have full control - when the urge strikes - they go. They should not have the run of the house for quite a while yet - just like a wolf pup would only be having small excursions from the den, use a play pen or a large crate, or something to contain them unless you are actively engaged with them. This is normal for puppies - and since you have 2 they can keep each other company and snuggle.
Take them to your preferred potty spot every time you take them out, or they wake from a nap, before they eat, after they eat, and before you put them away.
There is an awesome book by The Monks of New Skete -
The Art of Raising a Puppy, It has WONDERFUL explanations on the stages of puppy growth. Not just what you should do - but why as well. They also have books on ‘being your dog’s best friend’ as well as videos, and they also run a dog training facility. (My kind of Monks!)
Be patient and remember they are babies - and dogs - not adult humans. Don’t set them up for fairly by giving them the run of the house until older and you can trust them. You will have less messes and less chewing on inappropriate things (and that is at the 6 month stage).
One more thing - make sure everyone in the house reads the book and you all are consistent with the training. If each person does their own thing - the puppies will be very confused and misbehave.
Good Luck!
4 Responses
2009 Nov 11
take them outside every hour, not every few hours. they will catch on eventually. plus i personally think puppy pads are a stupid idea. its just basically telling them its okay to go in the house.
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2009 Nov 11
We have an 8 month old male cocker spaniel that we got when he was 8 weeks old. The way we potty trained him was to take him out almost every hour. He was confined to his crate when we weren’ t home but when we were we left him out with us. We bought baby gates and put them up so he would be confined to where we were when he was out of his crate. If he started acting like he was ready to squat or something we would take him outside. Any time he took a nap when he woke up we would take him outside too. When they are young they need to go more often. In the beginning we even had to get up during the night and take him out. He was trained in just a couple of weeks it just takes repetition and patience and they eventually get the idea.
References :
2009 Nov 11
9 weeks is even a bit young to leave the mom - and just like children - it is not a quick learn. Your puppies do not have full control - when the urge strikes - they go. They should not have the run of the house for quite a while yet - just like a wolf pup would only be having small excursions from the den, use a play pen or a large crate, or something to contain them unless you are actively engaged with them. This is normal for puppies - and since you have 2 they can keep each other company and snuggle.
Take them to your preferred potty spot every time you take them out, or they wake from a nap, before they eat, after they eat, and before you put them away.
There is an awesome book by The Monks of New Skete -
The Art of Raising a Puppy, It has WONDERFUL explanations on the stages of puppy growth. Not just what you should do - but why as well. They also have books on ‘being your dog’s best friend’ as well as videos, and they also run a dog training facility. (My kind of Monks!)
Be patient and remember they are babies - and dogs - not adult humans. Don’t set them up for fairly by giving them the run of the house until older and you can trust them. You will have less messes and less chewing on inappropriate things (and that is at the 6 month stage).
One more thing - make sure everyone in the house reads the book and you all are consistent with the training. If each person does their own thing - the puppies will be very confused and misbehave.
Good Luck!
References :
How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners (Revised & Updated Edition), The Monks of New Skete, Little, Brown and Company, September, 2002, ISBN 0316610003
The Art of Raising a Puppy, The Monks of New Skete, Little, Brown and Company, March 20, 1991, ISBN 0316578398
Divine Canine: The Monks’ Way to a Happy, Obedient Dog, The Monks of New Skete, Hyperion, September 18, 2007, ISBN 1401309259
I & Dog, The Monks of New Skete, John Sann, and Monique Stauder (Photographer), Yorkville Press, November 3, 2003, ISBN 0972942734
2009 Nov 11
find a crate that is just enough room for her to stand up/turn around/ and lay down. Dogs don’t like to be in their own mess, but if the crate is too big she will use one end to pee in. Also never use the crate as a form of punishment, you want this to be her own den.
Also make sure you don’t give her any food/water within 2 hours of bedtime this will help her sleep through the night without accidents…
If they do have an accident in their crate use Natures Miracle to spray on the accident it completely eliminates the odor and they won’t think that they can go there again.
Hope this helps!!
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