What am I doing wrong?
- Thread starter Megansmom
- Start date
Thank you all for the encouragement and wonderful suggestions! This morning I thought for sure after being in his crate a night that he would have to potty immediately when he woke up..
of course not! So I put him in his pin and an hour later, finally, the mighty Mississippi river came out of him
. I can only imagine what a relief that must have been.
Sheesh, stubborn little s**t.
of course not! So I put him in his pin and an hour later, finally, the mighty Mississippi river came out of him. I can only imagine what a relief that must have been. Sheesh, stubborn little s**t.
SheltieChe
Forums Sage
in such case you might consider running with him first thing in the morning. Activity usually highly stimulating for bladder 
Upon return home brace yourself and take your puppy on leash to potty, every time, never free time to run, chase furry rats, sniff, go for brisk walk, use your cue. As much as it convenient to have a fenced yard, potting on the leash is easiest way to teach that business is business, done and over with.
We just returned from 2000 miles driving trip and it would be a nightmare had I had issues with this. As is, it takes my crew under 1 minute to do their biz, often I am lucky and can collect 2 poops in one bag
Upon return home brace yourself and take your puppy on leash to potty, every time, never free time to run, chase furry rats, sniff, go for brisk walk, use your cue. As much as it convenient to have a fenced yard, potting on the leash is easiest way to teach that business is business, done and over with.
We just returned from 2000 miles driving trip and it would be a nightmare had I had issues with this. As is, it takes my crew under 1 minute to do their biz, often I am lucky and can collect 2 poops in one bag
Oh, I can relate. And like everybody else has said, it isn't anything that you're doing wrong. Toby just hasn't realized that his housebreaking applies no matter where he is.
We went through the same thing on our first long trip with Lerwick, and he was about the same age as Toby... a week shy of 6 months. Now, ever since Day One with Lerwick, we have always taken him out to potty on leash (no fence around our yard), and we have always used command words for pee/poo. Unfortunately, he seems to be immune to the potty commands. He definitely does NOT go on cue. Still, you would think that the fact that he was still on leash, whether home or away, would have meant it was similar enough that he would have been ok. Nope.
We were visiting my parents, and he peed on their living room carpet several times before we sorted things out. I was MORTIFIED. For Lerwick, the issue seemed to be that he didn't know where to ask to go out, so he just didn't ask... and then peed on the floor when he couldn't hold it anymore. At home, he always asked to go out by scratching at the patio door in our dining room. And because we weren't exactly sure whether or not he was properly potty trained yet, we were pretty much always within earshot of that door. The results of that, apparently, were that Lerwick thought that only by scratching on that particular door, could he get out to potty.
I actually think it was this particular trip that solidified his potty training. I could practically SEE the lightbulb light up over his head. He learned that it is NEVER ok to pee indoors, no matter where he is, because we had reverted to watching him like a hawk, and interrupting him from trying to pee indoors when he squatted (like we'd done when he was first being housebroken). And furthermore, he learned that the DOOR isn't what lets him outside, it's US, because we started taking him out by either the front door or the side door at my parents' house (whichever was closest to us when we caught him mid-pee).
When we returned home, he applied his new learning to his old routine, as well. He would still scratch at the patio door to ask to go out, but if that didn't get the desired result (usually because we weren't right there to hear it), he would come find somebody to ask us. He didn't just go on the floor. Finally, we were able to move our computers back into the office, and start using all the rooms of the house again! For the first six months, we were basically just living out in the kitchen/living/dining area, so we could be sure to keep our eyes and ears on Lerwick to make sure he didn't have accidents.
We took another long trip last month, to visit Mike's parents. Lerwick was 8 months by this point, and he had no trouble whatsoever with appropriate potty habits this time around.
Each puppy really does have his/her own timeline/learning curve, and the trick is modifying our approach to match them best... and then being consistent and waiting for them to have those lightbulb moments.
You will probably find that when Toby "gets it" with this trip, he'll probably apply it to any subsequent visits away from home, too.
We went through the same thing on our first long trip with Lerwick, and he was about the same age as Toby... a week shy of 6 months. Now, ever since Day One with Lerwick, we have always taken him out to potty on leash (no fence around our yard), and we have always used command words for pee/poo. Unfortunately, he seems to be immune to the potty commands. He definitely does NOT go on cue. Still, you would think that the fact that he was still on leash, whether home or away, would have meant it was similar enough that he would have been ok. Nope.
We were visiting my parents, and he peed on their living room carpet several times before we sorted things out. I was MORTIFIED. For Lerwick, the issue seemed to be that he didn't know where to ask to go out, so he just didn't ask... and then peed on the floor when he couldn't hold it anymore. At home, he always asked to go out by scratching at the patio door in our dining room. And because we weren't exactly sure whether or not he was properly potty trained yet, we were pretty much always within earshot of that door. The results of that, apparently, were that Lerwick thought that only by scratching on that particular door, could he get out to potty.
I actually think it was this particular trip that solidified his potty training. I could practically SEE the lightbulb light up over his head. He learned that it is NEVER ok to pee indoors, no matter where he is, because we had reverted to watching him like a hawk, and interrupting him from trying to pee indoors when he squatted (like we'd done when he was first being housebroken). And furthermore, he learned that the DOOR isn't what lets him outside, it's US, because we started taking him out by either the front door or the side door at my parents' house (whichever was closest to us when we caught him mid-pee).
When we returned home, he applied his new learning to his old routine, as well. He would still scratch at the patio door to ask to go out, but if that didn't get the desired result (usually because we weren't right there to hear it), he would come find somebody to ask us. He didn't just go on the floor. Finally, we were able to move our computers back into the office, and start using all the rooms of the house again! For the first six months, we were basically just living out in the kitchen/living/dining area, so we could be sure to keep our eyes and ears on Lerwick to make sure he didn't have accidents.
We took another long trip last month, to visit Mike's parents. Lerwick was 8 months by this point, and he had no trouble whatsoever with appropriate potty habits this time around.
Each puppy really does have his/her own timeline/learning curve, and the trick is modifying our approach to match them best... and then being consistent and waiting for them to have those lightbulb moments.
You will probably find that when Toby "gets it" with this trip, he'll probably apply it to any subsequent visits away from home, too.
Sometimes dogs can be a bit dense or too smart for the first little while and then the lightbulb goes off about learning and they are off to the races. Just keep it structured and be really diligent in watching for the signals.
I sold a westie to a lady many years ago. She called me and told me that no matter what she did she could not get the puppy to walk on a lead. I told her to get out a piece of cheese - this was long before clicker training and positive reinforcement training. Let me tell you that that stubborn, smart little dog grew up to be Towynridge Once Upon a Time with 26 titles behind her name that included many firsts in the breed. She is discussed in most of the breed publications out there. It takes time and persistance but you will get there and beyond.
I sold a westie to a lady many years ago. She called me and told me that no matter what she did she could not get the puppy to walk on a lead. I told her to get out a piece of cheese - this was long before clicker training and positive reinforcement training. Let me tell you that that stubborn, smart little dog grew up to be Towynridge Once Upon a Time with 26 titles behind her name that included many firsts in the breed. She is discussed in most of the breed publications out there. It takes time and persistance but you will get there and beyond.
in such case you might consider running with him first thing in the morning. Activity usually highly stimulating for bladder
Upon return home brace yourself and take your puppy on leash to potty, every time, never free time to run, chase furry rats, sniff, go for brisk walk, use your cue. As much as it convenient to have a fenced yard, potting on the leash is easiest way to teach that business is business, done and over with.
We just returned from 2000 miles driving trip and it would be a nightmare had I had issues with this. As is, it takes my crew under 1 minute to do their biz, often I am lucky and can collect 2 poops in one bag
Oh yes, and wouldn't you think jogging around would stimulate, I guess Toby is different! He is getting a little bit better today.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Y'know, I was thinking. I think certain dogs just like to sniff everything. Miko goes immediately on any grass (needs to be grass otherwise he'll hold it as long as he can). I'm grateful for Miko right now with his kidney failure, because even if I take him out at say 7am, and take him out again at oh, 7:30am, he'll go again. Love that.
Versus Koji. Big sigh. Oh Koji. He will sniff everything, try to eat everything and this is his daily area, so imagine when we get to "new areas". Oh jeez. We've learned to just let him whine and whine and whine and then he'll go really fast (as in within 25 yards, versus traipsing around for 15 mins). And he's almost 5 years old! Augh! He's been like this all his life. Thankfully, doing agility has helped because it's taught him to go anywhere in anything. It just takes some time, that's all.
Before, he couldn't hold it and would go in the house, or ask to go out again within a minute of coming in. In the past 2 years, wow, he can finally hold it. Sheesh! Small bladder or something, lol.
So, good luck. You're not alone. And some dogs, just get distracted easily. Koji still does. Gawd this is when I love Miko.
Versus Koji. Big sigh. Oh Koji. He will sniff everything, try to eat everything and this is his daily area, so imagine when we get to "new areas". Oh jeez. We've learned to just let him whine and whine and whine and then he'll go really fast (as in within 25 yards, versus traipsing around for 15 mins). And he's almost 5 years old! Augh! He's been like this all his life. Thankfully, doing agility has helped because it's taught him to go anywhere in anything. It just takes some time, that's all.
Before, he couldn't hold it and would go in the house, or ask to go out again within a minute of coming in. In the past 2 years, wow, he can finally hold it. Sheesh! Small bladder or something, lol.
So, good luck. You're not alone. And some dogs, just get distracted easily. Koji still does. Gawd this is when I love Miko.
Y'know, I was thinking. I think certain dogs just like to sniff everything. Miko goes immediately on any grass (needs to be grass otherwise he'll hold it as long as he can). I'm grateful for Miko right now with his kidney failure, because even if I take him out at say 7am, and take him out again at oh, 7:30am, he'll go again. Love that.
Versus Koji. Big sigh. Oh Koji. He will sniff everything, try to eat everything and this is his daily area, so imagine when we get to "new areas". Oh jeez. We've learned to just let him whine and whine and whine and then he'll go really fast (as in within 25 yards, versus traipsing around for 15 mins). And he's almost 5 years old! Augh! He's been like this all his life. Thankfully, doing agility has helped because it's taught him to go anywhere in anything. It just takes some time, that's all.
Before, he couldn't hold it and would go in the house, or ask to go out again within a minute of coming in. In the past 2 years, wow, he can finally hold it. Sheesh! Small bladder or something, lol.
So, good luck. You're not alone. And some dogs, just get distracted easily. Koji still does. Gawd this is when I love Miko.
Yes, Toby HAS to sniff every new thing on the ground! This is his first real travel with us for more then just over night. If he was potty trained, I would allow him to whine and whine, but he let me know yesterday he is not
However, he still holds it in while in his pin and crate and is getting a little bit quicker when we take him outside, IF he has to go!!
bwibwigouza
Forums Enthusiast
Maybe puppies of about the same age all behave similar! Mozart was pretty easy to potty train at the start...I trained him to go while on a leash. He had a bit of difficulty learning to tell us consistently for the longest time but eventually he did with the bell. But, like Toby, he didn't know he was not suppose to pee indoors in new environment! I took him to the new place we are moving our office to, and he peed indoors Mozart is quite "attached" to grass for pee as well. If there's grass...he'll go no need to exercise him, no need to repeatedly take him out. If there's no grass....
holy smokes...it can take many tries before he'll go (once he actually hold it in for nearly 4 hrs with regular water intake and still walked around like there's nothing to it)! As for poo...that's a whole different story. His poo time is sort of food linked...15 minutes right after a meal he'll go for sure. So far he has done it twice away from home but it was still on grass. Like many have said try training to go on command the key and you'll need to try it out in various surroundings. I'm still working it out with Mozart so he won't be so attached to grass.
Mozart is quite "attached" to grass for pee as well. If there's grass...he'll go no need to exercise him, no need to repeatedly take him out. If there's no grass.... holy smokes...it can take many tries before he'll go (once he actually hold it in for nearly 4 hrs with regular water intake and still walked around like there's nothing to it)! As for poo...that's a whole different story. His poo time is sort of food linked...15 minutes right after a meal he'll go for sure. So far he has done it twice away from home but it was still on grass. Like many have said try training to go on command the key and you'll need to try it out in various surroundings. I'm still working it out with Mozart so he won't be so attached to grass.SheltieChe
Forums Sage
I really think housetraning of a puppy is not matter of puppy but of human. IRRITATION IS MOTIVATION. IF you irritated as heck about housebreaking issues you will find a way to work it fast and easy and everywhere. Soiling in the house irritates daylights out of me, thus I took a week or two of vacation when new puppy arrived and sure enough, had both of my pups housetrained under 10 days.
One might have more challenges if it is adult dog with history or puppy mill with habit of soiling crate but with new puppy it is only matter how much importance you put into it.
One might have more challenges if it is adult dog with history or puppy mill with habit of soiling crate but with new puppy it is only matter how much importance you put into it.