[Scout_Mommy]

Our 14 wk old puppy has made it a habit to sit still or lay down during walking. We have stayed outside for 30mins at a time and he wont pee or poop. But as soon as he steps foot in the house he does his business on the floor. I reward him when he does it outside and when he does it indoors we go right back out for another 5-10mins. We have a ball we throw to keep him moving but it doesnt last very long.

I thought maybe he didnt like the harness, leash, or collar. But he allows me to put them on and then he even plays indoors with them on and acts as if he dont notice them.

How often should I take him outside?
How long should I stay outside allowing puppy to potty?
How do I help my puppy like walking on a leash? (I have both a collar and harness)

I feel so lost when he doesnt even walk outside to pee or poo. He pulls away from me at times. Just sitting there looking at me like, "yeah right I'm not going for a walk".

 

[LeoRose]

Depending on the environment your puppy lived in before you got him, house training can sometimes be challenging. Ideally, his breeder should have given the litter a solid start on pottying outdoors and crate training, but too many don't.

Basically, though, a baby puppy should go out as soon as they wake up from a nap, after a meal, after having a nice long drink, after they've been playing for a while, any time you see him looking like he's thinking about pottying (sniffing, circling, etc.), and every 20 minutes just because. Take him out to where you want him to go, keeping him on lead, and give your potty cue. If he hasn't pottied within 5 to 10 minutes or so, take him back inside, pop him in his crate, wait 10 minutes and repeat. Keeping him on lead is important, because it means he can't wander off. Also, no playing outside until after he's pottied.

 

[Knute]

To break the sitting/laying habit during a walk. You can try several different techniques or combinations.

Use the collar instead of the leash. This will give you control of the head. Use treats as a lure to get him off his butt, reward. Use the next treat to offer a smell, begin walking...he will follow, reward. This needs to be couple with gentle, firm, steady leash tension as you begin to walk. Also give your cue to walk.

Sometimes you may need to place the collar high on the neck, just below the ears. This provides more precise control and lease communication.

IMHO, about relief outside. You need to stay out longer. Get him walking. His nose will want to sniff the Dog Facebook and he will want to reply with his message.

Last Saturday, my dog and I walked over 8 km (5 miles). I have a 14 lb miniature schnauzer. He was happy during the walk sending many Dog Facebook messages, even when he was empty. He was also a tired dog. He slept most of the afternoon. The point is don't be shy about walking a distance. Dogs naturally are able to cover a lot of ground when hunting.

 

[Knute]

Use the collar instead of the leash.

Sorry for the confusion......I meant to say. Use the collar with leash instead of the Harness.

 

[Scout_Mommy]

Depending on the environment your puppy lived in before you got him, house training can sometimes be challenging. Ideally, his breeder should have given the litter a solid start on pottying outdoors and crate training, but too many don't.

Basically, though, a baby puppy should go out as soon as they wake up from a nap, after a meal, after having a nice long drink, after they've been playing for a while, any time you see him looking like he's thinking about pottying (sniffing, circling, etc.), and every 20 minutes just because. Take him out to where you want him to go, keeping him on lead, and give your potty cue. If he hasn't pottied within 5 to 10 minutes or so, take him back inside, pop him in his crate, wait 10 minutes and repeat. Keeping him on lead is important, because it means he can't wander off. Also, no playing outside until after he's pottied.

Thank you! I usually stay outside till he peed and pooped. But sometimes that didn't happen. Not always does he poop. 5-10 outside has been working better and going out every 20-30 mins. I have split up puppy duty between me and my three kids so it's not draining me down so much.

However, night time is a different story. He wants to get up every two hours and thats draining me because I'm not getting any sleep. I've tried having him in our room at night so he can see me, in his crate in another room, and now a small plastic style carryall. Which all he does is whine, bark, and cries. Then the smallest which is the carryall he pees in it. It's almost like he is mad at me and pees in it to get back at me for putting him in something so small. I guess the saying put them in something they just have enough room in to move isn't all that correct. When it comes to they won't pee in their bed.

I stopped putting puppy pads with him at night because he would shred them and I'm not sure if any have been digested. I looked it up and it says if it is it can block their intestines. I really dont want that to happen. So I just lay them by the back door. I always give him a toy so he has something to do while he is in Crate.

 

[Scout_Mommy]

Sorry for the confusion......I meant to say. Use the collar with leash instead of the Harness.

Thank you! I figured that is what you meant. I replied above to another comment for an update. Walking outside had been a bit better with him walking on leash. I gave my three kids a bit of responsibility. So I guess having four different people walk him and not one just getting frustrated has helped.

 

[LeoRose]

You are going to have to get up and take him out during the night, more than likely. Dogs don't understand the concept of "getting back at" someone. He more than likely potties in the small crate because he has to go. Baby puppies are rather like human toddlers, in that some of them take longer than others to learn how to control their bladders and bowels. If your just started potty training toddler says they need to go, you don't wait, but rather hustle them to the bathroom right then. His fussing is probably him trying to let you know he needs to potty.

A couple of thoughts...

One, what breed/size is he? Small puppies have small bladders. A toy sized pup will have a teensy bladder.

Two, if he hasn't been checked for a urinary tract infection, it might be a good idea to do that.

In the end, each dog develops at their own pace. My German Shepherd was probably 18 months old before she quit needing an early morning (like two hours before normal get out of bed time) potty run. If I ignored her fussing, I was going to have to clean a crate and bathe a dog.

 

[Scout_Mommy]

We have been potty training him for two weeks. I do keep in mine with our children it did take some time so I totally understand. I guess at times especially at night and running on empty with no help during the night I guess I just get a bit frustrated.

Our pup is a french bulldog so I guess he falls under the medium size breeds. We adopted him from a veterinarian who breeds bulldogs. She did say her life was pretty busy and that he was crate trained but he stayed in crate with one of his brothers.

Last night I was so tired I fell asleep with him on the couch waking up several times to make sure he hadn't fallen off the couch. I'd say maybe 2.5hrs. Then I got him up to go outside and we came back in. We sat on couch which he fell back asleep so I put him in Crate this time because the carryall is just too small I feel like. I gave him a treat for going in and told him goodnight. Just like I do the kids. That was about 12am. 30mins later he is whining, barking, and crying. So i got up took him out and put him in the carryall which is in a room further away that the crate wont fit in. He barked and whined so i told him no its bedtime. Said this several times. I went to bed and could hear him fussing so me knowing he already went outside and used the bathroom I ignored him. He stopped and went to sleep so I went to sleep too. I didnt hear him until 6am when my daughter got up to get ready for school.

 

[Knute]

Good. You learned a lesson. When the dog is in crate/kennel and is barking, whining, making noise....his purpose is to call you back for some attention. Do not go back, not even to say NO. Just ignore. The dog will settle and finally sleep. It may take minutes or hours depending on the dog's hard head.

Be aware. Housebreaking can take a long time. It is dependent on many factors. You, the dog, learning ability, method, frequency........ Patience is the key. Many articles on this subject, you just need to discover the method that works for you and the dog.