[omega]

Originally Posted by Uno baby

OK, Uno is 5 months and he is not fully house trained yet. I am training him by using a petyard XT the breeder recommended (I use 5 of the 6 panels) and have his food/water, potty pad, toys, bed/blankie in there with him.

Well, he had been shredding his potty pad now and then which I thought "ok, he's a puppy, exploring" and brushed it off. But he has done it the past THREE days and 1) it's a waste of money 2) it's a pain in the BUTT to clean up 3) I need to figure out how to change this behavior.

I keep his potty pad in there just in case, (My mom is at work, and I go to college and he is alone usually no more than 4 hours at a time). He hasn't peed on his pad for maybe two weeks now, and I'm afraid to take it out...But do you think that I should take his potty pad out and start to see if he won't soil his bedding? I don't know how to get him to stop ripping the potty pad without taking it out. I have tried to stop him as soon as he pulls it off (I could even hear him bringing it to his bed this morning, and I caught it before it got bad).

Last week I walked him 3 miles daily for about 5/7 days and he didn't get any walks this weekend or yesterday due to rain/me being busy. Today he walked for 3 miles. Walking has helped his behavior a little bit but I think it's due mostly to his separation anxiety?...Like he's pissed off when we leave the house so he is naughty....Has anyone had this problem? Sorry it's so long winded, but how did you stop the problem? Did your babies grow out of it?

oh- also we have given him run of the living room when we know he has just gone potty/poop outside, (NOT the whole house yet) so I think he's used to having that freedom and doesn't want to be in the pen anymore...any words or wisdom or encouragement???

My newest pup is a little over 4 months and she just started shredding the potty pads. I think you hit on something there about being alone. She only does it when she is left alone - well not actually alone, but with the other dogs and I am not in the room. It doesn't matter if I am upstairs for 1/2 hour or out of the house, she goes for it. She likes having me in her sight almost all the time. While that is sweet and all, it can be a problem, too.

The answer above about taping might work for you. I know my dogs would chew on that tape and never give up! Good luck!