[courtney1121]

So Geno is going on 1 this month and is having constant accidents in the house. Not his fault, I know. So I am basically wanting to strictly potty pad train him. He will still go outside if he wants but I want him to know that the potty pad is where he should go. When he was younger, we were having success with the potty pad training and eventually ended up slacking on it aka letting him get away with a few accidents every so often. Eventually, he picked up that getting away with it, means he can do it all the time. So 1 1/2 cans of carpet cleaner later, I'm just frustrated. Not at him but with myself. So one thing I have seen is tethering the dog so you can keep an eye on him at all times. This pretty much has to happen for us and we realize that now. Any time I catch him squatting or lifting his leg, I give a firm "NO" but trying to pick him and take him to the potty pad untethered is a whole new obstacle since he'll just bolt for under the couch.

So tethering is on our list but how do we go about this. For example, once I give him the firm "no" and pick him up and take him to his pad, do I just sit and wait there with him? The problem with that is that he is very private when going to the potty. He hates being watched. When I do get the chance to catch him before he goes under the couch, I put him on his pad, and he'll just lay down on it and stare at me. I mean I could sit and stare at him all day but I want to make sure it will be worth it aka he'll finally potty on his pad lol

I know others have asked about his feeding schedule. I actually just leave food and water out for him during the day. I have gotten a camera so I can watch him while I'm at work and I've noticed that he barely eats or drinks during the day. Most of his eating/drinking time takes place when I get home and not much pottying is really done when I'm at work. I would like to keep it like that for now. Regardless, I really am taking one step at a time cause he refuses to poop on the pad which he obviously does a little later after he eats. Right now, I am just focusing on getting him to at least pee on it cause to be honest, I can handle the poop on the carpet, and I will teach him to go on the pad for that but for now, I really don't want to confuse him so I just want to focus on one thing at a time. I know, sounds absolutely crazy probably lol I dunno, I just need some friendly advice and guidance. Thanks!