How to correct housetraining mistakes with our new adopted puupy?
By mandymarie
@mandymarie (12)
Canada
December 27, 2006 12:18am CST
We recently adopted a puppy from a shelter and when we first got him, there were no accidents in the house, and he was great in the kennel at night. Then after just a few days he would go to the door to go out.
Then last week he had an accident when no one was watching him, completely our fault. We cleaned it up, sprayed the pet stuff on the spot and took him outside.
Now, he still goes outside but we have to be on constant watch because he'll go in the house, there's no urgency to tell us he has to go outside.
We, of course, take him out regularly and feed him on schedule, but I need to know an effective way to get him out of this habit, (because after my 5 year old stepped in some poop and used a pillow to wipe it off, I've been grossed out enough).
So, is it just time and ruotine or is there something I can do along with this? Also, he is now about 10 weeks, and very small, they think he is a shipoo-min. schnauzer cross, cutest ever!
Any advice is greatly appreciated and awaited! Thanks!
3 people like this
21 responses
@Signal20 (2281)
• United States
27 Dec 06
I have 3 dogs, 2 are potty challenged lol. The one, we took in because the owner wouldn't care for her, I don't think she's ever been an inside dog, the second I got from a pound about 10 years ago, and she's always had anxiety attacks when I left, now she does it in the middle of the night, and the third he's great, only notice he gives he wants to go out is he stares at you lol. Very subtle. Unfortunately because of the 2 pottying on the rug at night, they're outside dogs now, at least until the 2 die. My experience with puppies though, and even my male dog, got him from the pound when he was about 1-2-& not trained very well, make a big deal about going outside. Pick a word to use, like "outside" or "take a break" and everyone always use that word when it's time for him to go out. When he does go, repeat it good boy-outside-good boy and pet him and praise the heck out of him. He'll eventually associate the pottying with outside and the praise. Also, take him to the same spot outside to go whether on a leash or you carry him. He'll also associate the scent with it as well, AND if you're lucky, he'll always use that spot to go instead of leaving land mines around the whole yard :) If he goes in the house, if it's poop pick it up, take him and the poop outside to that "special" area, put the poop there and say "outside" point to it so he can learn that goes out side. Also, I think it's recommended to take them out within 15 minutes of them eating. Just takes time, he's still kinda young, so accidents will happen. At least he'll stay small and you won't have huge logs blocking the doorway when there's accidents in the house :)
@Justme2007 (1848)
• United States
28 Dec 06
Thanks my daughter just got a month old puppy and Iam training him so all this info is helping me out.
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• India
27 Dec 06
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@tlex107250 (667)
• United States
27 Dec 06
You didn't mention how old the puppy was. Don't worry though, your puppy will learn in time. You just have to listen when you think that he is sneaking away to go in the house. We got our dog from a shelter 8 years ago. We are the 3rd owners of him by the time he was 1 yr old. Once in a while he still will go in the house without warning, but most of the time he lets us know when he has to go out. You might try limiting the puppy on where he is allowed to roam in the house, and slowly let him advance his roaming, one room at a time. Good luck with your new puppy, and I hope that he brings you years of happiness.
@mandymarie (12)
• Canada
27 Dec 06
Thanks, he's abput 10 weeks now. He's only allowed in the living room and kitchen, but if the hall door is open we have to run to get him. I was thinking maybe it's just time that's needed, it's not like he looks at us and poops while laughing and pointing at us, or anything:)! And, tahnks for the congrats, we are so happy with him, and he seems to love us too!
@shasi18 (1)
• Philippines
27 Dec 06
I have a puppy too. He is 4 months old and he is very playful and most of the time he even bites us. I tried to spank him a bit to let him know that what he is doing is bad. But I guess he thinks that i am just playing with him. He often barks when i am out of his sight too. Im really having a hard time training him =(
@Cacharelle (119)
• Spain
27 Dec 06
When he bites you, immidiately introduce your fingers into his mouth and press them against the roof of his mouth with the thomb on top of the nose and gently squeeze until he squicks. This is what a dog mother do with her mouth when a puupy misbehave. You will not hurt him, it is the discomfort that makes him squick. For the barking, if it early enough in the bad habit, you are going to be tough and ignore his presence a 100% as long as he barks. On ly get close to him when he stops. This is a nerve braker, but I dont know any other way. You can provoque this situation (always easyer to control when you provoque it) by attaching the puppy with a rope or a lead to a radiator or something solid in the room where he can have access to his bed. Walk away from him. Dont look at him, just wait untill he starts asking for your attention. continue not looking at him. Dont shout, dont act, just do your own things. He will eventually get tired of barking (it might take hours, and certainly days before you see a result). That's when you get close to him and reward him and tell him a word (dont shout)he will remember like NO BARK. This action will excite him again and as soon as you walk away it is likely he starts again barking. Just go through the same process again. He will soon understand that you are not abandonning him. When it works when he can see you, do the same coming and going from the room, ignore him THIS IS CRUTIAL. If you make one mistake, just once talk to him or pay attention to him, you have lost the party, but not the war... Patience, patience... Another way for older dogs is to teach them to bark on order. This eventually stops them from barking when not ordered to.
@cuddlebug79705 (2003)
• United States
27 Dec 06
I am going through the same thing, so I sympathize. My puppy is a chiweenie, she was only five weeks old when we got her and much too tiny to walk through the grass, it was all too tall for her so we have to train her for now on puppy pads. She is wetting on the pads but won't poo on them, I'm constantly fighting her on this. I want to take her outside and try the sidewalk, but due to her size she can't go out early in the morning or late at night right now due to the cold, she will easily get sick. I'm just doing everything on a timed basis and rubbing her nose in the poo and trying to catch her in the act so I can put her on the pad in time, not sure what else to do.
@mandymarie (12)
• Canada
27 Dec 06
Well what I've read is not to rub their noses in it b/c the only way for them to get it off is to lick it and it can make them want to eat poop.
I was told to hold him down next to the poop or pee while you clean it and talk in a low voice (like a growl) saying no or whatever, cause unless you catch them doing it they have no idea what they are in trouble for. But lying next to it associates the smell with getting in trouble.
Everyone is being helpful, it's just sort of frustrating cause he was doing so good at first with no accidents and now it's like we are on constant alert.
@re08dz (1941)
• Australia
27 Dec 06
First *icck* on the pillow :-)
I think the key to any training is patience, consistency and plenty of praise.
I guess if you catch him in the act growling at him and saying no then directly taking him outside might work - I don't believe rubbing his nose in it is effective at all - and even then you if it's not done immediately it's pointless.
I'd be inclinced to keep doing what you're doing - take him out after meals, after naps and when he's been playing for awhile - when he does his business give him plenty of praise and a treat if you want - he'll get the idea soon enough.
My pup was I thought fairly easy to train, but she too had a bit of a relapse, but got back into the habit again fairly quickly.
Have fun with your new puppy.
@mandymarie (12)
• Canada
27 Dec 06
Thanks, I figured timee and routine was the answer but had my fingers crossed for a quick fix. We'll keep working on it!
@mamabulldog60 (351)
• United States
27 Dec 06
Time and consistency, kenneling is a great trainer!! Give him time, he has been thru alot and God Bless you for adopting from a shelter and giving a loving creature a second chance. Do not use anger, he won't understand and will just to potty, use key words "go potty" go outside and let him associatet those words with the "experience" and praise him for going potty outside.
@mandymarie (12)
• Canada
27 Dec 06
Thanks, his litter was thrown away and he and his brother survived. He is the most adorable dog ever. He's well behaved (most of the time), cuddly like a cat but playful like a puppy. If I knew how to post a picture I would!
@steve9737 (918)
• Colombia
14 Jul 07
maybe he is just a little one and he don't know yet some rules, I think you need to start to disciplinary him or he will continue doing thing in the future.
@drumm1n (499)
• India
27 Dec 06
well id suggest you take him out thrice a day! and try noticing this but the pup will have a spot where he likes to pee n poop! now this is because of a smell! wat you should do is put a paper there!(newspaper)and then day by day move the paper slowly towards the bathroom! the dog..will get used to poopin on the paper and in the end once in the bathroom. remove the paper and the dogs learns to poop in the bathroom!
@anybodyhome4 (40)
• United States
28 Dec 06
I have had many dogs and I trained each of them to bark when they need to go. Its not that hard. I have many training techniques. But to me it sounds like he was trying to get attention. If he was trained and then reverted. Then he might have been trying to get your attention or it could have been because of unfamiliar setting.
@achilles07 (239)
• India
11 Jan 07
u let him roam freely in his kennel at night dont tie him..as u always want to be free he would also like to be so ony tie him up at morning..
@mydogisdaisy (99)
• United States
18 Jan 07
I have written an article on puppy potty training. Part of your issue is that the puppy's bladder is not fully matured so he will have to go quite frequently. The article can be found at this link http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/79206/puppy_potty_training_101.html
HTH
Crystal
@mydogisdaisy (99)
• United States
16 Jan 07
Here is what you can do:
Some dogs just do not have an obvious, "I have to pee." behavior. For dogs that do not have an obvious signal, you have to give them one. Hang some bells on the door that the dogs goes through to potty. The bells will need to be low enough for the dog to reach. Every time you take the dog out jingle the bells and say potty. Once outside when the dog pees or poos, immediately praise using the word potty and give a treat. Within a few days the dog will associate the bells with potty. If the dog uses the bells but does not potty, ignore the dog. Turn your back and walk back inside without looking back. The dog will realize that ringing the bells does not equal attention.
Good Luck,
Crystal
@mydogisdaisy (99)
• United States
16 Jan 07
Please, please DO NOT rub your puppy's nose in his poo!
@remaster74 (4064)
• Greece
27 Dec 06
There are some kind of dippers they use for the dogs. They open them in the house and they learn them to use them. When they reach they point to use them, they move it to the door. And then they move it out.
@The_Eagle_1 (1121)
• Australia
27 Dec 06
As brutal as it may seem ..if pup poops or wees, rub pup's nose in it and put it outside! They get the message very quickly!
