[lizziedog1]

It almost seems like potty training issues are quite common here. It is an important issue no doubt, it is almost mandatory if we are to share our homes with a dog in harmony.

I want this thread to be about folks that have had minimal problems getting their dogs housebroken. More importantly, the methods they employed. That way folks with problems can look here for possible solutions. And people looking to get a dog might also pick up some potty training pointers from us.

I think the most important think is patience. If you take your pup outside so she can relieve herself, stay with her as long as it takes. I have had dogs that went as soon as their paws hit the lawn. I have had dogs that tried my patience as though they were having a test of wills with me. But, I waited and waited. I had to catch them going where they should and I had to reward them.

What are some other potty training tips that we can bestow on others? Does anyone have some trick up their sleeve that can help someone get through this critical phase of dog training?

[bkibler]

This is a great idea! This is why I joined this board in the first place and trying to go through all the posts became frustrating so I started a new thread! Maybe this will keep the "new threads" to a minimum?

We are still having problems training Dobby, but she is starting to pee outside, just not poop. But I think we are making a SLOW progress.

[RedyreRottweilers]

http://www.dogforums.com/19-first-ti...ining-how.html (Housetraining How To.....)

[FaithFurMom09]

I lived in an apartment with Faith when we first got her. We did not use Paper training. We took her outside every time. Day AND night. Sometimes shed go out every 30minutes, sometimes every 1-2hrs. I think what worked for me was writing it down. I wrote down when she ate/drank and went to the bathroom. Over a few days I was able to see a pattern and go off that. I also assosicated (sp?) the door with potty since we lived on the 3rd floor i had to be quick when she started to have to go out. There were times I was so frustrated and mad, but i stuck through it and she made it. She finally got it and got to the point of just going to the door and waiting when she needed to go out. Now we moved to a house and I am re-training her to let me know when she needs to go. (we have stairs so she has to go down them to the door)

so thats what worked for us. Keeping track and going out no matter what I was doing. if i was in the middle of eating/sleeping,etc Id drop it and take her.

[lizziedog1]

so thats what worked for us. Keeping track and going out no matter what I was doing. if i was in the middle of eating/sleeping,etc Id drop it and take her.

I agree one hundred percent. Your idea of keeping a written log is great. I wish I had done that. If there is a next time I will.

[bkibler]

Yes, a written log is a great idea. it seems like Dobby is pooping while we're asleep, without any warning that she has to go out. So frustrasting, especially when the cats are stressed and are peeing and pooping everywhere to. Its a mess!

[Alex927]

Originally Posted by lizziedog1

It almost seems like potty training issues are quite common here. It is an important issue no doubt, it is almost mandatory if we are to share our homes with a dog in harmony.

I want this thread to be about folks that have had minimal problems getting their dogs housebroken. More importantly, the methods they employed. That way folks with problems can look here for possible solutions. And people looking to get a dog might also pick up some potty training pointers from us.

I think the most important think is patience. If you take your pup outside so she can relieve herself, stay with her as long as it takes. I have had dogs that went as soon as their paws hit the lawn. I have had dogs that tried my patience as though they were having a test of wills with me. But, I waited and waited. I had to catch them going where they should and I had to reward them.

What are some other potty training tips that we can bestow on others? Does anyone have some trick up their sleeve that can help someone get through this critical phase of dog training?

I'm having absolutely ZERO problems and I've been following the tips on redeyre's sticky titeld "Housetraining how to"

[Labsnothers]

Just got a 7 1/2 week old Lab, Raven, Sunday. I am blaming the handful of accidents on my inattention. well, the one was when I was standing by the door calling her. I am doing much the same as the last 18 puppies.

Much of housebreaking is not training the puppy, but making it easier for your puppy, you, and your carpet while its body to catches up to its instincts. At around 8 weeks when the puppy goes to its new home, the time from when it realizes it has to go, and when it can't wait any longer is a matter of seconds. Only time will fix that. You can hardly be expected to be attentive enough to avoid all accidents. There is no sense punishing the puppy for your inattention. It is not fair to punish you either, but you still have to clean it up if you didn't have the puppy outside in time.

Housebreaking starts before you get home with the new puppy. If you don't have a crate, buy one. I prefer the more enclosed, den like plastic ones. Skip the bedding. At first it gets wet, and later it can be chewed into choking hazards. A wire grid in the bottom will help keep the puppy up out of accidents at first. They are available with the crates, but expensive and hard to find. A piece of closely spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper. I am now using a plastic vegetable bin with plenty of holes drilled in the bottom. It helps block off part of the crate for the smaller puppy. If you already have a metal crate, covering it may help. Just make sure you use something the puppy can't pull in and chew. Dogs that start out in crates as little puppies, accept them very well. Never leave an unattended puppy loose in the house. If nobody can watch it, put it in the crate. I suggest letting the dog have its crate all its life. A crate needs to be just big enough for a dog to stretch out in.

Choose a command and spot you want it to use. The less accessible to strays, the less chance of serious disease. If it is a female, choosing a non grassy spot will avoid brown spots later. When you bring it home, take it to the spot and give it the command in a firm, but friendly voice. Keep repeating the command and let the puppy sniff around. Sometimes you need to walk it around to stimulate its body to eliminate. If it does anything, praise it. Really let it know what a good dog it is and how much you love it, and maybe a treat. Note, being out there not only means you can praise it, but it also keeps it from being snatched by a hawk. If it doesn't go, take it inside and give it a drink and any meals scheduled. A young puppy will need to go out immediately afterward. Go to the spot and follow the above routine. Praising it if it goes is extremely important. If it doesn't go, take it back inside and put it in its crate and try again soon. Do not let it loose in the house until it does go.

At first it is your responsibility to know and take the puppy out when it needs to go. It needs to go out the first thing in the morning, after eating, drinking, and sleeping. If it quits playing, and starts running around sniffing, it is looking for a place to go. Take it out quickly. You will just have to be what I call puppy broke until it is a little older. How successful you are depends on how attentive you are.

By the time most dogs are about 3 months old, they have figured out that if they go to the door and stand, you will let them out. The praise slowly shifts to going to the door. Some people hang a bell there for the dog to paw. If your dog doesn't figure this out, try praising it and putting it out if it even gets near the door. When you catch it in the act, give it a sharp ''Ah, ah, ah!'' and take it out. Clean up accidents promptly. I mostly keep the little puppies out of the carpeted rooms. Still I need the can of carpet foam sometimes. First blot up all the urine you can with a dry towel. Keep moving it and stepping on it until a fresh area stays dry. A couple big putty knives work well on bowel movements. Just slide one under it while holding it with the other. This gets it up with a minimum of pushing it down into the carpet. This works with even relatively soft ones, vomit, dirt from over turned house plants, or anything else from solids to thick liquids. Finish up with a good shot of carpet foam. Note, do not let the puppy lick up the carpet foam. Once the dog is reliably housebroken, your carpet may need a good steam cleaning.

Many people strongly strongly push cleaning up all evidence of past accidents. I am slower to suggest that. Dogs will return to the same spot if they can find it. When you see one sniffing the spot, that is your clue to run it out.

[doodledude]

These are the techniques I used:

1. Tethering - the dogs leash was attached to him and me at all times.
2. Gates - He did not have full access to the house
3. Crate - bought a crate with an adjustable divider that would make sure he had just the right amount of space. He was in the crate when I couldn't be around him
4. Potty time - Short trips outside for the purpose of going potty. If he didn't go within a specific amount of time (maybe 5-10 min). I'd bring him back inside. and repeat shortly after.
5. Keywords - Used a keyword "gotta go potty?" when going outside. While outside I used "go potty" and "hurry up"
6. Praise - praised him every single time he went to the bathroom.
7. Accidents - Never yelled at my dog for pottying in the house. Picked him up and took him directly outside. Then cleaned the accident spot with a deodorizer.
8. Feeding - Fed him at the same time every day to get his bowl movements on a schedule throughout this process.

I think that's it...