[RIPat]

Hey everyone. I am a proud owner of a 12 week old husky/malamute mix puppy. Ive had dogs all my life, but Kronos is proving to be extremely difficult with even the most basic things.

1) The main issue is housetraining. Ive read everywhere that puppies have a fairly predictable bathroom schedule, she seems to not. The post meal is the most predictable and sometimes post playing but other times it seemingly comes out of nowhere and sometimes is just a little piddle. Its as if she has no concept of holding it, plus it doesnt help that she drinks a ton of water throughout the day. Ive been upping the time in the crate to try and help with it.

2) Walking. I was expecting her to be the typical husky and want to pull my arm off when we went out but its quite the opposite. She will walk, but it is always resisted. Ive tried coaxing with different types of treats/toys but she gets too distracted by everything else. Walking with the other dog helps a little but when hes not there its back to square one.

3) General lack of enthusiasm...for everything. Except meals and when someone comes home. Have tried different treats/toys but she takes them with an indifferent attitude. This makes rewarding good behavior (like bathroom outside) difficult.

Shes been to the vet twice and they have not found anything medically wrong. Any suggestions?

 

[CptJack]

Most 12 week old puppies *don't* have any concept of holding it. That's why early housebreaking is management to prevent accidents, and to build an association with outside being where to go, rather than any actual training. They just don't have bladder control.

How long have you had her?

 

[RIPat]

Since June 1st. I dont expect her to be perfect by now, just a little better. It just baffles me that we will go outside and she will go, then well come back in and 10mins later shell pee on the floor.

 

[CptJack]

Since June 1st. I dont expect her to be perfect by now, just a little better. It just baffles me that we will go outside and she will go, then well come back in and 10mins later shell pee on the floor.

I have a young pup right now, too. She's a little younger than your girl, but seriously? Peeing every 10 minutes happens. She WILL wander to the door when she needs back out, and our backdoor stands open most of the day which helps, but when she's up and active? Yeah, no. Constant piddling out there. When she wakes up is the only predictable time and if she's not carried from her crate to the door - more pee. It's just. A baby thing. Think about babies in diapers, you know? They also go almost constantly. She'll grow out of it, I promise. Just keep being consistent, keep treating her for going, keep cleaning up and try to take a deep breath and set your goals out a little further.

Also, the water may need to be a bit scheduled, too. Try ice cubes, maybe? (Don't dehydrate her, and if your house isn't Air conditioned, definitely pay attention, but cooling her off externally or by letting her gnaw ice may help more than drink constantly, anyway)

 

[NozOnyCalAur]

I'm house training a 12 week old. The predictable potty schedule is the one I've set up. We go out every hour, on the hour and sometimes in between. Its annoying and I gotta go up and down a flight of stairs to the lawn. Puppies have no bladder control until 5 months at the earliest (and I've heard some breeds even take as long as a year of age or more). So as CptJack says early housebreaking is more accident preventing than actual training. Puppies need to go out after naps, playing, drinking water, or eating food. My pup has learned to go potty outside, we say 'Go potty' when we take her out, give her treats and throw a big party, but she has NOT learned not to go in the house. She gives no indication of having to go potty while inside, she doesn't whine or go to the door, or even sniff, she just stops what's she's doing and squats. My pup is so short I often can't tell if she's sitting or squatting until she moves and there is a puddle under her. This is why we go out every hour.

If she's enthusiastic about her kibble, use it at treats. I put my pup's kibble in a cup with a lid with a hole in the top so I have to shake a piece out to give to her. Its kind of a prelude to clicker training but I can just shake the cup to get her attention if she's ignoring me.

As for the leash walking, I just had to keep calling my pup to me when she put the brakes on. I used the treat cup often to get her to come to me. Now she comes without the cup but a slight tug (not a jerk or pop) and she'll walk with me.

 

[RIPat]

Thanks for the quick responses and advice. I have the same problem with mine, sometimes I cant tell until its too late. I guess I will just keep at treating outside for potty. Ill cant believe I didnt think of using kibble as a treat! Duh! I just want to have a some solid fundamentals before she grows huge and Im wrangling a 60-70lb beast to go on a walk.

 

[Crazy Daisy]

yes, definitely keep up with treating going outside, probably for months! Mine is 6 months and had no accidents for a while and then twice in the past week she went in the basement (where we don't spend a ton of time) it is still a LOT of management until you feel you can trust the dog. Also, if she is going to be a big dog, the bladder will be bigger and she should be able to hold it longer quite soon, but it can be crazy at the beginning. Try a cut up hot dog, or chicken or cheese, just keep a little bag in the fridge,even tiny amounts should get any dog interested! As for the rest, my dog isn't into "dog stuff" as much as she's into our things and generally being crazy. We are still working on fetch, but I expect it will click as she gets older. Give all of it time, you are dealing with a baby. As for walking , I wouldn't worry too much, before you know it, you will be wondering how to get her to stop dragging you around, as she grows I would assume she will be more interested in covering ground, but of course still sniffing everything she can get away with.Perhaps grab a handful of treats, let her know you have them, then walk purposefully along, she will follow. Try a fenced area where she can be off leash and run away from her, this is good way to exercise little pups and will teach her to follow you more. good luck!! it will be worth it, and my breeder assured me "the puppy stage is so short"