Kirby said: "I highly recommend the book, "How to House Break Your Dog in Seven Days." I wholeheartedly agree.
The key is that you take the dog outside at every trigger: wake up from nap <go out to potty> and say "you need to go potty?" in a really high, excited voice. Eat, wait a few minutes, and <go out to potty> and say "you need to go potty?" in a really high, excited voice. Play excitedly... <go out to potty> and say "you need to go potty?" in a really high, excited voice. Before getting in the car to run errands... <go out to potty> and say "you need to go potty?" in a really high, excited voice. Nothing happens for 90 minutes... <go out to potty> and say "you need to go potty?" in a really high, excited voice. Before you go do anything different from what you're doing... <go out to potty> and say "you need to go potty?" in a really high, excited voice.
This is the important part. Do not decide to do something else (clothes from washer to dryer, stop by the bathroom for your own potty, refill your water bottle) first. FIRST, take the dog out to potty. After potty (this make take a while... cultivate patience), praise and take him/her inside.
The main potty-block we've encountered is that Dante does NOT like wet grass, particularly if the weeds are growing high. I put in some pea gravel, which helps. But the big thing is consistency, and for a few weeks (7 days may be over-optimistic for tiny dogs), making this the #1 priority.
Dante's six months old now, and about 95% potty-trained. I'm happy I can relax a little... but the x-pen to "capture" him in when we're "at risk" is helpful! |