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Originally Posted by bendog2000  I backed off on him for a bit - we go out in the daytime when it's warmer and in the night/early morning he can make his own choice :-) I'd rather he went outside but if he hits his pad then I'll settle for that. I can see he's smart so know that he'll learn the rules in good time. He's got the peeing on command thing down but I haven't managed to make the poo thing work for him - most likely because he doesn't get that much warning himself. I have to work harder to be getting him in the right place before he has to go.
Biggest problem with the pads is that most time he uses them - except when he doesn't. No rhyme or reason to that for me to follow - just doggy logic. Perhaps he's testing out the "treat on pad, nothing on floor" rules.
Just as an aside - that thing he does when he is trying to remember what a command means and then suddenly it comes to him - really comic to watch. Like a cartoon lightbulb. |
I think your right that he doesn't get that much warning. They have little bladders and fluid and food goes through them kind of quickly. You might need to try keeping him near the pad as much as possible. I kept 2 different pad areas when Gracie was a puppy just to make sure she could get to it in time. Keep watching for his signals. You may want to try one of the commercial liquid house training aids available and put it on the pad. It may help to attract him to pee on the pad quicker. The pads are supposed to have the attractant on it but it's hard to say how effective they actually are.
Some people who take their dogs out to potty take them to the same spot each time and have a potty word they use so the dog knows what you expect of them when you take him to that spot. The dog gets a treat as soon as he potties where he is supposed to. Sounds like your little guy is doing good.
I had a Shih Tzu before Gracie. He had a thick coat and went outside all year round. I did have to shovel snow to make a potty area for him. Gracie has a nice coat but it's not nearly as thick as my other dog's. She tends to get cold and seek heat quite a bit. She loves to go out but I don't take her out on cold wet days.