I got madison at 4.5 mos old and the breeder hadn't attempted potty training yet. She had access to a kitchen and a porch/balcony thingy and went potty either place. I thought have an older dog ( my 5 yr old maltese) would make my puppy learn faster. But it hasn't. We've had plenty of accidents. ( I got urine off and the black light to go with it and was amazed and appalled of all the pee spots I found)
With that being said Madison will be 9 mos next week and I believe in February we have been accident free thus far ( fingers crossed
) she was spayed 2 weeks ago and she seems like now it's clicked with her that we go potty outside. The next few weeks will tell. It's not easy when its cold and rainy but my husband and I haved been consistant and have kept a watchful eye on her.
I still crate her when I leave IF she's not gone potty outside for me. If she has gone potty for me, I gate both dogs in my bedroom where they have toys and access to the doggie door to go out side to potty. Which seems to work. I know they go outside cause Madison loves to bring cedar bark chips into the house and today when I got home there were like 8 of them in my room.
Then what I do is tonight I will black light my carpet in my room and see if there are any potty stains that are new. It's the only way I can be sure if we are making progress.
Madison's crate is also in my room I leave the door open and many times I come home and she's in her crate. and when we are home she on occassion goes in to grab a toy or a bone out of it or just hangs out in there.
So I guess it is a matter of (1) her being comfy with the crate and (2) Learning boundaries.
I must say its my 5 yr old maltese who has had to endure the most. with limited access to the whole house now that Madison has come to live with us. As my yorkie does not deserve to have total access to the whole house until I know she consistantly goes potty outside.
Also, a little side note. she has peed on concrete, a door mat or in planter areas not always the grass. But at this point to me its OUTSIDE!! I can throw away the mats and buy new ones, I can hose down concrete after she pees and in the planter if plants die I'll get new ones but she's PEEING OUTSIDE and thats my main goal!!!!
it is exhausting, to be consistant, always watching, always knowing what time she pottied last so I know when to let her out again. It's hard watching every move she makes when she's not looking for a place to potty but we *think* she is. It's a sacrifice to get a sweater on her and a jacket on me and stand outside for 30 mins when its 40* outside and she doesn't go potty. But thats the committment I made whe I brought her home.
I wouldn't trade that sweet little adorable, bundle of joy and love for any of the frustration in teaching her where to potty.