Fastest way to house train?

K

Krackley

Forums Novice
Hello, we have a 9 week old male sheltie (Chewie) and I am having issues with house training. During the day he's fine but in the afternoon/evening he will start peeing every 5 minutes! I try to watch for his cues that he needs to go out but I don't see any cues during this time. We will take him outside and he will pee 2 times then we bring him in and he will pee on the floor within 5 minutes. What am I doing wrong?
 
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You aren't doing anything wrong. 9 weeks old is MUCH to young to expect bladder control in a puppy. At that age you need to take him out frequently and restrict his access in the house. Keep him to one or two rooms where you can watch him. When you can't watch him, put him in his crate. You are crate training? If not, go get one. It will make everything easier and you'll have a happier puppy for it.

You have to remember that dogs are denning animals and feel safe and comfortable in confined spaces. They also have a natural instinct to not soil the place they sleep so they will hold it in their crates a lot longer than if they have a large space to roam.

You also have to make sure you clean up the previously soiled areas VERY well. Dogs have a much better sense of smell (like 1,000x) better than people, so even if you don't smell a pee spot, they will. Use an enzymatic cleaner if you continue to have problems. We've always had good success with simply using white vinegar. Under no circumstances use an ammonia based product. It will smell like pee to a puppy.
 
Lunatic's suggestions are spot on. Consider yourself lucky if a 9-week old keeps his crate dry overnight. Puppies don't have complete bladder control until 6 months of age, so expect accidents off and on until that time, no matter how good the puppy seems.

My 14-week old has just figured out how to tell me with a whine when she needs to go out. If I don't leap for the door immediately, it's too late. If I can't supervise her, she's in her pen, where she never has an accident.
 
Lunatic59 said:
You aren't doing anything wrong. 9 weeks old is MUCH to young to expect bladder control in a puppy. At that age you need to take him out frequently and restrict his access in the house. Keep him to one or two rooms where you can watch him. When you can't watch him, put him in his crate. You are crate training? If not, go get one. It will make everything easier and you'll have a happier puppy for it.

You have to remember that dogs are denning animals and feel safe and comfortable in confined spaces. They also have a natural instinct to not soil the place they sleep so they will hold it in their crates a lot longer than if they have a large space to roam.

You also have to make sure you clean up the previously soiled areas VERY well. Dogs have a much better sense of smell (like 1,000x) better than people, so even if you don't smell a pee spot, they will. Use an enzymatic cleaner if you continue to have problems. We've always had good success with simply using white vinegar. Under no circumstances use an ammonia based product. It will smell like pee to a puppy.
Click to expand...

Yes we are crate training and he's doing great in that aspect. He usually gets up 2 times a night to potty. We have a special cleaner for pee spots. Thanks for the advice...I feel much better knowing what to expect.
 
Ok, first of all 9 weeks old is a stretch to assume that you would aany level of house training! Truly, most dogs cannot be considered house trained until at least 12 or more weeks.

Is he peeing in the crate or only outside the crate? Its an important difference.

Crate training at night, of course. Are you bringing him outside because he asks to go, or are you just setting your alarm to bring him out. Ideally, you want to wait until you can hear him fidgeting or whining. If you set a clock schedule, then you will have dogs that want to pee on that schedule, and you'll never get sleep.

If he is peeing in his crate, is his crate too big? If too big, he will pee in one corner and sleep in another. You want the crate just big enough for him to stand and lay flat. That's it!

If he is peeing outside the crate, then that is a different issue. If you cannot watch him, then he goes back to his crate (with love, of course) or you attach him to you with a lead. Once you turn your back, that's when they are going to do it. If you catch him in the act, scoop him up immediately, say NO! and bring him outside. If his finishes outside, then lots of praise and treats. If you miss it, don't scold, just clean it up REALLY well and hope you can catch him the next time.

Anytime the dog goes outside, then lots of praise and treats.....immediately!

Its a lot of diligence, and some dogs train easier than others. I was fortunate, but Bacca was still making the odd mistake up to 16 months, I think.

Hope this helps!
 
This is my husbands post but i wanted to update. Chewie is doing much better. He has NEVER peed or pooped in his crate so that's been a blessing. We are much more in tune with him now and he has started going to the door when he needs to potty....so we are having much success!
 
awww - that's good to hear. At the beginning it seems like they will never get it, then one day you'll realize you can't recall the last accident in the house. The puppy phase really does go by fast!
 
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