I wonder how much the dog is feeding off of you?
Kongs are wonderful, they keep the pup busy and like it was said before, gives a positive reason for being crated. Personally, I keep my pups crated when we are home unless they are leashed to me. This way I can observe the pup at all times when they are out. Helps with walking on the leash too! "Free time" is a reward for going potty outside. My dogs (when pups) could not have free time unless they went potty outside, then it was play time! Then back outside because pups pee after they play.
There are alot of great books on puppies. And remember emotions travel down the leash!
Your pup is young yet, there will be accidents and its a long road. Just about the time you say to yourself "Wow, by george I think I have finally got the dog potty trained" the dog will have an accident because your guard is let down.
Make yourself a chart and put it by the door. Write down what time you feed/water your dog and what times you take it outside and what it does (pee/poop/nothing). If you have done alot of research you will know when a pup usually has to go. Then after a week or two you will be able to look back and see the pup goes x amount of minutes after food and x amount of minutes after water etc. Schedules are important for potty training!
Hope this helps and good luck with your dog.
This is excellent advice and works well. I ignore all my dogs when I first come home until they are calm. The older ones will walk to the door to greet me, only sign of excitement is tails wagging, no jumping or hyper behavior. I will pat them on the head and move on.
Kongs are wonderful, they keep the pup busy and like it was said before, gives a positive reason for being crated. Personally, I keep my pups crated when we are home unless they are leashed to me. This way I can observe the pup at all times when they are out. Helps with walking on the leash too! "Free time" is a reward for going potty outside. My dogs (when pups) could not have free time unless they went potty outside, then it was play time! Then back outside because pups pee after they play.
There are alot of great books on puppies. And remember emotions travel down the leash!
Your pup is young yet, there will be accidents and its a long road. Just about the time you say to yourself "Wow, by george I think I have finally got the dog potty trained" the dog will have an accident because your guard is let down.
Make yourself a chart and put it by the door. Write down what time you feed/water your dog and what times you take it outside and what it does (pee/poop/nothing). If you have done alot of research you will know when a pup usually has to go. Then after a week or two you will be able to look back and see the pup goes x amount of minutes after food and x amount of minutes after water etc. Schedules are important for potty training!
Hope this helps and good luck with your dog.
