Housebreaking in 7 days...

[Deadbug]

Has anyone actually tried this program? Today is the first day and I have some concerns.

If you've read my post in General:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...hty-puppy.html

We've gone back to the beginning with both dogs to try to resolve this problem and this time we're using this method, although, adding a bell to the patio door in hopes that they'll catch on and ring it when they need to go out.

I have a schedule.
7am: potty break
7:30: breakfast (food & water)
8am: potty break
8:15: free time to play
9am: confined in ex pen
Noon: lunch (food & water)
12:30: potty break
12:45 free time to play
1:30: confined to ex pen
5pm: Dinner (food & water)
5:30: potty break
5:45: Free time to play
6:30: Confined to ex pen
8pm: water
8:30: Potty break
8:45: free time to play
9:30: confined to ex pen
11pm: Potty break and bed

Concerns:
* With the exception of breakfast, neither dog really ate that much throughout the day. Granted, this is the first day of the program, but still... this has me worried. As per the program, food and water is available for 20 minutes then taken up. The concept being if you can control when the dog eats, you can control when the dog eliminates. I get that, but the not eating much really scares me.

* Both dogs pee'd every time I took them out and then and only then were they allowed free time gated into the kitchen and dining room. No accidents at all in the house today, so this tells me it's working. Also, I'm not letting them play in the back yard until they understand what it's for. This is killing them. They both want to play. Neither dog has poo'd today. Worrisome. Then again, they didn't eat much, But what happened to the breakfast they ate?

* Gabby seems confused and acts like I'm punishing her. She's not allowed in the living room anymore and can't understand why. As a result, she's kinda moped around all day today. I feel bad. I mean, I can't have her peeing in the house but I know that if I let her on the carpet she'll do just that. At least, until I get it replaced, which could take a month or so. If she goes in there and smells her favorite spot, it'll activate her bladder all over again.

* Yesterday they were both happy and playful. Play, play, play! I could barely separate the 2 for kisses. Today it's like someone gave them adderol. They've done nothing but case the perimeter of kitchen and lay around.

Now my setup:
* Confinement happens in a large ex pen in the formal dining room. It's a central part of the house with lots of traffic.
* Free time is in the kitchen on tile. I have it all blocked off with the most inconvenient baby gates on the market. The breakfast room is off limits since they both like to "hoove" around the floor for people food crumbs.
* Potty breaks are in the back yard. Just before I open the door I ring the bell that's attached with a ribbon. It's hanging just about the same height as their head.

Thoughts? Opinions? I don't know how I feel about this.

[lynzy420]

This seems like a sound plan to me. I wish I had the time to do it but I just don't! I don't have a serious problem with them...presently anyway.

Heres hoping it works for you. And honestly, I wouldn't worry about the eating unless it really becomes problematic. Change is never welcome by animals and/or people!

Good Luck

[backwardsrain]

Sounds good to me. They will get used to it. I would try to make them ring the bell themselves (by picking up their paw and lightly hitting the bells) to help them learn how to ask to go out. 2 weeks of that is all it took to train Eevee to ring bells.

[cory]

I didn't follow this schedule per say when my girls were puppies but thinking back I did something very similar that got them on an eating pottying routine.

They may not have put them in the xpen so many times but only if I couldn't watch them. When they were running loose in the house I basically watched them constantly and was very consistent with taking them outside and praise.

I believe that it probably did take about seven days with this consistency to work at getting them housebroken although they all had the odd accident now and then which would have been expected with puppies.

I think this is a great schedule for someone to follow who has no idea how consistent you have to be to housebreak little puppies though.

[Deadbug]

I've always free fed. Kinda concerned. I think Gabby is having a hard time adjusting to eating on a schedule, rather than whenever she's hungry. She was never a big eater. She just kinda grazed a bit. This afternoon, for lunch, I gave her some Caesar's to eat just so I know she's getting SOMETHING into her. She ate about half of what she normally does.

I hate this I worry so much about her. She's only 2.5lbs and really can't go without food. I did cave and give her a carrot this afternoon even though the book says no treats. I'm guessing the plan has to be modified for each dog. Luckily, I'm home most of the day so I can monitor her intake.

[MommytoMiles]

Originally Posted by lynzy420

This seems like a sound plan to me. I wish I had the time to do it but I just don't! I don't have a serious problem with them...presently anyway.

Heres hoping it works for you. And honestly, I wouldn't worry about the eating unless it really becomes problematic. Change is never welcome by animals and/or people!

Good Luck

Ha ha!!! I like the change is never welcomed comment, so true!!