Housetraining 101 - Please Read this Thread in its Entirety

[kian]

It seems that our most asked question is regarding house training and I am beginning to feel redundant with answers. I thought it would be great to add our experience and have a thread to refer people to. Please add your thoughts as we all have wonderful things to share. Try to keep it at a reasonable length and simple enough that anyone can understand.

There are a wide range of topics to cover, just a few to think of: the dreaded puppy pads, crate training, housetraining while working, housetraining a older dog, apartment living, travelling with a puppy and still working on the training and I'm sure many more. This thread isn't to impart everything we know into one post, but to share and discuss and help those that come along to find the answers to the problem they are needing.


Kians basic Housetraining 101: (I won't cover the rules of crate, I will ask another member do that)

You have just brought home this cute bundle of joy and puppy breath, so now how does one go about the process of teaching that cute puppy to potty outside and not on moms expensive oriental rug. First arm yourself with treats, small bite sized and can be quickly eaten. Small dog biscuits, pieces of boiled chicken, turkey hot dogs that have been microwave till rubber and cut into small pieces. (just a few ideas).

Pups will eliminate upon waking, playing and right after eating. Remember they have no concept of bladder control at this point, the brain and the bladder simply have not matured enough to connect. Armed with treats, take pup to door and you get excited to "go out", yes that is correct the door to the outside is fun! Go outside and as pups does it's business (I like to give potty a word as they are going, this is a command that can be repeated at this point) Example: Pup is doing business, I simply say...go potty, go potty, go potty. Then right after the business is done I act like I won the lottery!!! Give treat and run back to the house, yes run. Keep in mind that pups don't always totally eliminate, so be prepared to return outside in a few minutes. Keep outside potty and outside play separate, you want to associate the outside potty and the house while it is fresh in the pups mind. Some pups will need to go out more often than others, each is different.

When playing in the house, don't do it for long, after a few minutes of play, stop and repeat house training process. If the pups eliminates in the house and you don't catch it, just clean it with a enzyme pet odor remover and go on. NEVER take the pup to it and point it out, the pup has NO idea why you are mad. If you catch the pup in the act, clap loudly to distract the pup and immediately go outside. You may get peed on as you pick up the pup, so what, it happens.


Patience, consistency and patience! That my nutshell version. I will let another add more info.

[AnnaCS]

I am by FAR not overly experienced, but I am happy to share what has been working for us.

First of all, make sure you ask whoever you get your pup from where they are in their training. And listen to them if they tell you what your pups cues are. Then when you go home WATCH FOR and ACT ON those cues. It will help you a ton.

Do not use puppy pads as it will only confuse your puppy about what you want them to do. Outside only, NO mixed messages by leaving them a puppy pad inside...regardless of weather. In the beginning, take your pup out hourly and give them a command of your choosing ("hurry up" "go potty", etc.) and try for 5-10 minutes to get your pup to go. If they do not, bring them back in and try every 15 minutes until they DO go and then throw the a party for it with lots of praise and treats! Rinse, repeat and lather even though you think you don't need to. And even then, there will be accidents. Take it in stride and do not punish in any way. And only correct if you actually can stop the puppy "mid pee or poop" to relocate them outside. When they finish outside, praise & treat them.

Honestly, this takes the same patience as potty training a child. And your puppy is eager to please you, remember that.

[clipandcoach]

ClipandCoach's Mistake - Free Toilet Training 101:

The often forgotten goal of house training is to teach your dog it is "safe" to go to the toilet outside and "dangerous" to go inside (that includes inside any building or home not just your own).

The way to achieve this:
1. Keep your dog or puppy in a confined space in the house, unless "empty" (toilet wise) and being directly supervised
A confined space can be a crate or pen (pen may contain an emergency toilet area if you wish. If so, bedding should be raised and at other end of toilet area with water/food bowls)
2. Take your dog/puppy out to the toilet on a regular schedule. Learn your dog's 'holding' ability. 8 week old puppies should go out every hour. As your puppy gets older this time will lengthen
3. In the beginning stages, only when your dog/puppy is "empty" may it be allowed free play in the house (this time will also depend on your dog/puppy's holding ability - return to the pen WAY before they will need to go again. For young puppy's stick to a few minutes)
4. When your dog/puppy goes to the toilet outside give praise and treats
5. You may begin to enlarge the area your dog/puppy is confined after 2 months of no accidents. Enlarge the area in stages until full run of the house is reached. If there is an accident, go back to smaller confinement and more regular toilet breaks.
6. Puppy's will toilet straight after naps, eating and playing

Tips for Mistake-Free Toilet Training:
- Don't assume your dog/puppy is toilet trained because they havn't had an accident in a while
- If you catch them in the middle of going inside make a startling noise/say name loudly to hopefully stop them going and quickly rush them outside
- As dogs act according to what they consider "safe" and "dangerous" you must praise and offer treats when your dog goes to the toilet in front of you outside to make up for the undesirable reaction you have (startling noise) when they go inside. Otherwise, your dog will learn it is "dangerous" to go the toilet in front of you or other humans and will wait until you leave the room or hide under the table and go.
- When your dog/puppy has been accident free in your home for a while, don't assume they understand they can't go to the toilet in other people's homes yet. (Remember the goal - safe outside, dangerous inside may not yet be understood)
- Don't spend time coming up with a thousand reasons why your dog had an accident inside (out of spite, attention seeking, jealousy etc). If there is an accident, just assume the safe and dangerous goal is not 100% understood by your dog and go back to the initial toilet training program
- Learn the signs ur dog needs to go (sniffing, circling, digging, dancing, barking, etc.)

MOST OF ALL don't take it personally when your dog has an accident. I mean, I'd probably go on your rug if I kept asking you where the toilet was and you ignored me, especially if I went there before and it was oh so relieving

[kian]

If there is nothing more to add, then we will move on with Crate Training. (I was hoping another would cover, so please add your thoughts)

Crate Training your puppy While there are many aspects of crate training, this is how it aides in Housetraining.

There are few us around that can recall the old paper training methods which our parents may have used. I too recall my mother paper training our puppy and not understanding why, if the pup is going to go outside. Thanks goodness that method has evolved out to better ways. As for those puppy pads, not a fan. Left alone a puppy can ingest them causing serious medical issues and this really is a extra step that I would rather avoid. There are much better products out there if you intend to have your dog potty inside, some apartment and condo dwellers with smaller dogs prefer this.

I am huge believer in Crate Training your puppy to aid with Housetraining. One of the biggest errors a owner makes it putting thier puppy into a crate that is too large to begin with. The crate should be small enough for the puppy to stand and turn around, the theory is that dogs are clean creatures that prefer not to potty where they sleep. Having said that, a puppy will potty in it's crate if left too long and cannot hold it or dealing with medical issues. Remember thier bladders and holding power have not matured. This is a starter crate, the puppy will outgrow it.

The crate is great when one cannot watch or tether the puppy to you. Never put a puppy into it's crate unless you have taken the puppy outside to potty first. When releasing the pup from the crate, it's straight outside as covered in the first part of the thread. If you have followed the methods there and the pup does not potty, then it's back into the crate for NO more than 10 minutes and then back outside. The crate when used for Housetraining is for short periods, not confinement when you are home and can teach the puppy. DO not leave the puppy in there long enough to potty in the crate, that is YOUR fault and this can set you back.

If your puppy has gone potty outside, then there is no reason to back into the crate for housetraining unless it's during the night and or you are leaving. You still have to watch the puppy, you can tether the pup to you, put the pup in a exercise pen or watch closely. That's my nutshell version of Crate Training.

[kitsada2011]

"thanks for the advice"

[lynners]

As Kian mentioned, crate training can help immensely with house training a puppy. But you're unlikely to be very successful with crate training if all you do is plop puppy into her crate and call it a day. Puppies don't come with natural good feelings about a space that seperates them from their family. Your puppy needs to learn that the crate is a happy, safe place, and that it's okay to be alone sometimes.

My 5 Tips for Successful Crate Training

1. Pick a good spot for the crate. Your puppy's crate should be in a relatively high traffic area, such as a living room or kitchen. This allows them to learn that it's okay to be alone without the shock of total isolation.

2. Keep initial crate time short and frequent. On the first day, start with simple ins and outs. Work up to longer periods of time as house training and conditioning to the crate progress.

3. Use yummy food! The fastest way to create a good association between a dog and a strange situation, is by pairing it with something they find delicious. Everytime your puppy goes into the crate, give her a a treat. Better yet, give her a treat that will keep her occupied, rather than something that can be scarfed down immediately. A good choice is a Kong toy, stuffed with bits of cheese, boiled chicken, peanut butter, sugar & fat free yogurt, kibbles, etc.
**Introduction of strange foods can cause stomach upset! It's always a good practice to use limited amounts of new foods. Peanut butter has been known to cause loose stools in some dogs, for example.
In the beginning of crate training, you may need to toss bits of food in first, and your puppy will go in after them. Eventually, puppies will go into the crate willingly and wait for their special treat.

4. Decide on a cue word. Many people use the crate for the first few years of their puppy's life. Rather than physically putting their dog in the crate every time they have to leave, people give the dog a cue or command which tells the dog that they should go into their crate. "Kennel", "crate", and "go to bed" are common cues. Use your cue word or phrase every time your puppy enters their crate. This cue will help in establishing to your dog the fact that yummy things come once they are already in their crate.

5. Show some tough love! If your puppy fusses when they are put into the crate with the door closed (such as whining, barking, scratching, crying, etc), it is very important to not open that crate door until the puppy is behaving calmly. By allowing the puppy out of the crate when they are fussing, they can quickly learn that making such noises means that their person comes and lets them out. It's hard to ignore, but believe me (and everyone else here will tell you the same thing!), you and your puppy will be much better off in the long run if you are able to ignore their demands.



PS. Hi everyone! Hope it's okay that I jumped in here even though I've been absent for awhile.

[kian]

Thanks Lynners! The more the better, great tips.

[DixieDoodle]

Here is my thoughts on crates (I'll try not to repeat):

My experience with crates is that it is a safe, comfortable place for the puppy/dog. I like to know that when I leave my puppy to go to work it is in a safe place where it can not get into certain things like house hold cleaners, trash, or my shoes! The crate is not a tool to punish your dog. Over time with proper training your puppy will learn that when it is tired it can go to sleep in its crate. Dogs tend not to potty in areas they sleep, so if the crate is properly fitted the puppy/dog will not potty in the crate. I was given a full grown large dog crate for my puppy so what I did was put boards through the wire to make the space smaller. As my puppy grew, I could make the space bigger. Generally, when you leave your dog for the day they sleep while you are gone. That is why crates work well, the dog is locked away safely and comfortably sleeps.

When I started crate training, every time I put my pup into its crate I gave it a treat. When I returned if the puppy was acting up I would ignore it until it relaxed before I let it out. I found this helped them to not become an anxious dog. As soon as I let them out of the crate it was straight out the door to use the bathroom. If you leave your puppy out on its own you can come home to piles of pees and poops and then where are you at in your house training? You are not gaining anything by this.

In my opinion, I do not like to discipline my puppy for peeing in the house, it is my fault I did not read my puppies signs quick enough. Unless I catch the pup in the middle of the act, the most I give is a stern No and grab the pup and run for the outdoors!

I always said that I never wanted to get another puppy after raising one and that I would rescue a senior dog, but now that I typed this out, I kind of want one! who says you can't have both! Happy trainings!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

he had been taught something, otherwise why would he make it through the night, through the day and everything no accidents in the house, but after i finish mopping he decides to have an accident literally right as I was putting the mop away. he is doing fine learning new things, and he did fine with potty training, but it seriously feels as if he is having an accident in the house just to say hey I can do it and theres nothing you can do to stop it...

Puppies, like infants have no concept of manipulation!!! Your puppy is not having an accident to spite you. THIS IS A PUPPY, not a teen human. You have clearly NOT taught him how to ask properly to go out, and must work on that. The fact that he "looks ashamed" is probably because of your tone of voice. You are mistaking shame for fear! The fact that he then goes to the door is most likely to get away from you, and has nothing to do with "knowing he made a mistake".

You need to learn his cues and remember that every accident he has in the house is YOUR fault.

As for crate training your dog, everyone else has explained it well. Your puppy IS NOT SAFE left to his own devices. The crate becomes their den and their safe place. If he were crate trained, he could go in his crate while you wash the floor, and immediately upon finishing, be put directly outside, thereby achieving two acts of training in one go.

You are anthropomorphizing your puppy, which is doing him a disservice.

Good luck to you.

[DixieDoodle]

I agree Deb, I don't think dogs are capable of being "spiteful" just does not seem to be in their nature.

I also wanted to add that I read an article today on DP about a product that helps eliminate the smell of pee and poops in the house. It was half water and half vinegar. Interesting and I could see it working. I figured it would be good for people who do not like to use chemical cleaners. Please correct me if I am wrong about this being a useful product as I have not used it before.

[kian]

Sigh... I feel a bridge here or someone very unwilling to take the advice of seasoned and experienced owners. Thank YOU everyone for participating! I hope this thread will help others who are willing and needing to know the correct ways to housetraing thier pups. A big thank you!!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kian, I sense a bit of that going on around here this evening, rather suddenly as well.

We will sort it!

[lola521]

Well I for one appreciate all the help I can get. Sophia is 12 weeks today. The crate training is coming along, but still having little accidents on occasion. On Saturday evening I go to church. Before I left this Sat. I took her out. I thought I gave her plenty of time to relieve herself, but she did not. I decided to bring her to her room and leave her out of her crate (which is in her room) while I was away. Upon bringing her in the house she immediately eliminated. I yelled NO! grabbed her and put her outside. Cleaned up the pee. Put her in her room and left for Mass. Sometimes I have a feeling I don't know what I'm doing! And when these things happen I get frustrated, thinking I'm doing this all wrong!!

So thanks for all your advice. Also she starts puppy kindergarten tomorrow.

[kian]

That's why this thread was started to help frustrated owners just like yourself. Hope all the tips and advice helps you with Lola, keep reading and working with her. If there is something we miss and need to discuss, please share. Good luck!

[Bogies_Mom]

I can add something about small dogs. With small dogs, it's very important to let the dog WALK to the door as soon as possible. At 8 weeks, you probably still have to carry the puppy to the door because it's so far in proportion to their size. But it's important the puppy knows WHERE the door is and WHY they're being taken outside ASAP! If they are continually carried out and just put in the grass, they will have no idea how to get from the house to the door and then outside. This is the #1 problem of housebreaking little dogs -- their owners carry them everywhere and then wonder why the dog doesn't know to 'go outside'.