[Masterjedi688]

My puppy (maltese/toy poodle mix) is 3 months old. she is being trained to use the bathroom outside. Most of the day she is in her exercise pen where she eats sleeeps and plays with her toys. I take her out to do her business and thats great. But every now and then if we let her loose in the house, she will leave a present or pee on the carpet like today . Why is she doing this? Am I doing something wrong? I'm a bit stressed out about this. Please please, can anyone offer some good advice on stopping this from happening? Is she spending to much time in her pen? I know during housebreaking there will be accidents, but its been over a month now. Shouldn't she have gotten the concept already?

 

[TooneyDogs]

Puppies don't have full control of their bladder muscles until about 6 months of age...they're still growing....it does improve as each month passes. In the meantime, they need to go out about every hour when they're awake/active. Until they are fully housetrained, they should not have unsupervised freedom of the house.

Praise and treats for going in the right potty area are keys to your success....rewarding her for going in the right place.

 

[Marsh Muppet]

Your puppy is still very young and (I'm told) small breeds take longer to housebreak than large. There is a difference between a pup "getting the idea" and developing the physical maturity to hold it. The need to relieve themselves overtakes them very suddenly at this age--especially if they are running around and playing. Don't let her out of her crate/pen without your direct supervision.

 

[Masterjedi688]

Puppies don't have full control of their bladder muscles until about 6 months of age...they're still growing....it does improve as each month passes. In the meantime, they need to go out about every hour when they're awake/active. Until they are fully housetrained, they should not have unsupervised freedom of the house.

Praise and treats for going in the right potty area are keys to your success....rewarding her for going in the right place.

Thanks for the advice. If she relieves herself again in the house, what should I say to her IF I catch her in the act?

I also use a soda can with 4 pebbles in it as a rattle. I shake it to stop her from doing other things she is not supposed to. what do you think about that? Its old school from what I know. Don't know if others still do it to stop and correct there dogs.

 

[TooneyDogs]

Thanks for the advice. If she relieves herself again in the house, what should I say to her IF I catch her in the act?

Interrupt her...sharp handclap, stomp your foot on the floor and immediately herd her outside where you praise/reward for finishinig in the right spot.

I also use a soda can with 4 pebbles in it as a rattle. I shake it to stop her from doing other things she is not supposed to. what do you think about that? Its old school from what I know. Don't know if others still do it to stop and correct there dogs.

The problem with the scare/startle tactics is they can make her very leary (skittish) of you...you become noisy, scary and unpredicable...not the relationship of trust and confidence that we all want from our dogs. Don't get me wrong...you may have to use some startle/interrupt tactics....just keep them at the lowest possible level.