Comments on: Why is potty training for puppies so hard? What has been most effective for you?

By: Bryan V

Bryan V — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:48:59 +0000

Try keeping your dog on a tight schedual, always take him out after meals and when he first wakes up from a nap.
References :
http://www.trainyourdogfast.info/

By: Reece

Reece — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:23:59 +0000

Walking a dog is a much easier way to house train, the mats just tell them it’s OK to potty in the house. Use a crate for the times you can’t watch them and at bedtime. Walk before and after you have the dog in the crate, always use a potty command like go potty and lots of praise when they go potty. Watch the puppy all the time when not crated, she will act different when she needs to go pee, walking around sniffing the floor and leaving you when y’all have been in a room and going down the hall or something.
References :

By: dobby

dobby — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:18:59 +0000

its simple, don’t feed or give water to your dog just before you go to bed. right after you feed the puppy wait about 15 min then take him outside for a walk, when he pee or poop reward him with praise while he is pooping, say good boy good poopy, or pee pee. everytime he eat or drinks you have to take him out at lest 15 to 20 minutes later when they are very young the food just seems to pass right through them in a matter of minutes. don’t scold her is she has an accident, that accident is your fault for not being vigilant keep her in your sight indoors and learn her cues for needing to go potty. or teach her to let you know by hanging a bell on the door knob, ring it as you go out the door to take her to potty. so she will learn to ring the bell herself when she want to go out. this is how leaders of the blind train their seeing eye dogs to lettheirr blind owners know they have to go outside. again take puppy out minutes after she eat and drinksevery timee and praise her when she poops outside. oh and remember to be patient its a process that takes time.
References :

By: kasiacz

kasiacz — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:57:59 +0000

Yes it is very trying isn’t it.

The one thing I can tell you to do, is pay attention to the dog’s behaviour.

When she wakes up, take her immediately outside and put her down on the ground and tell her to go pee or poo (repeat it nicely for as long as you have to) and when she does what your want her to, always always praise her.

The key is YOU have to be consistent, once she understands what you want from her she will then start giving you clues, like a bark or scratch at the door.

Watch behaviour, if they get a little wild it usually indicates they have to do one or the other.

Pups need to do their business at least once every 30 - 45 minutes, so its important that you keep up your end of the bargain.

I had one dog that took us almost a year to train, but her brother had it down in a matter of a week. Every dog is different, just be patient, she needs you. Good luck and I hope I’ve helped.
References :

By: mommyandnurse

mommyandnurse — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:34:59 +0000

I agree with crate training. I just got my puppy a week ago and already noticed how great it works! Plus, the crate gives the puppy a sense of security. Before I got the crate I was constantly watching the dog 24/7, and with two small boys, it wasnt working. Here is a website that worked for me.
References :
http://www.englishmastiff2.com/id18.html

By: ryan c

ryan c — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:50:59 +0000

well all u have to do is put the pee pads near the door. he will go on that. but if he doesnt and pees somewhere else u cleanit wth that pee pad at first and then put in near the door. so afterhe will smell the pad and pee there leave it there for like 2-3 weeks but of course change the pad. and soon wen u take it out he will realize that he goes near the door and e will go there and u will see and be able to take him out and if while he has the pads and u see him there u can take him out side to go potty and then he will see this is how it is supposed to work
References :

By: :)

:) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:06:59 +0000

bribe your little pooper

i have a 1/2 maltese 1/2 shih tzu…the combination of the most stubborn and yet smart dogs.

everytime i’d put him outside (when i’d catch him sniffing around) and he’d do his business i’d give him a BIG treat of his favs (the bones or carrot) and so when he’d finish his business outside i’d open the door and scream "GOOD JOB ASH! LETS GET A BONE!" and he’d run inside. after a week it clicked…..if i go outside and poop/pee i’ll get a treat if i do it inside i get scolded.

from the begining when i’d catch him sniffing i’d say "you need to go outside?"

within 2 months he was potty trained outside and to sit and give paw and give high five(he stands on his hind legs and waves his paws at me)
now i rotate it between treets and praise (kneel down and give him a good rub and pat while saying good job!!!!)

and now i can tell if he needs to go outside or just wants attention bc the times he needs to go and he follows me around or jumps on my leg and barks a little all i say is "you need to go outside?" and if he’s gotta go he RUNS to the back door and scratches.

bribery works with all dogs. i swear!! my sister has an unruly pit bull. he pees inside, jumps on you, slobbers all over. i was there for 2 weeks after a week and a half he would sit when i told him to and get down when i said to with just alternating treats and praise. my sister couldn’t believe it. ofcourse she didn’t continue it so everytime i go to philly i retrain him so that the time i’m there its not total chaos for me. BTW she paid to send him to training school - total waste of money!
References :

By: Kyla S

Kyla S — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:45:59 +0000

I’ve never been a fan of piddle pads because its making your pup think peeing in the house is acceptable. I will assume that by potty training, you want your dog to pee outside. The hardest part of having a puppy is the dedication it requires for the first few months. My puppy was house trained within the first month and a half, with the occasional accident when it was raining outside. You need to be taking your pup outside every two hours. Even if they aren’t peeing or pooping. When they do poop and pee outside you need to give lots of praise. The more often the are outside and relieving themselves outside, it will click that this is acceptable behaviour. Your other option is to crate it at night, but you are still required to get up 2 - 3 times in the night to take your dog outside to pee and poop. Dogs are denning animals and will not eliminate where they sleep. You can take advantage of that by crate training.
References :

By: Hannah

Hannah — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:03:59 +0000

crate training, honestly trust me, I came on here before I got my puppy 6 weeks ago, and saw that everyone had recommended crate training, so I thought I’d give it a go, IT’S BRILLIANT! My puppy is now fully trained at 14 weeks! It’s been really really easy.
References :

By: Janet R

Janet R — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:39:59 +0000

Potty training is EASY. Pee mats are a waste of time. When crated I always let my puppy out into the garden before allowing her to run around the house. I always let her out about every 2 hours no mess & everyone is happy. Now that she’s a year old if I go out & leave her in I put newspaper by the back door just in case she cannot wait. Works fine for me. I also have an 8 year old bitch & she is the same.
References :