Your pup did not even start to have the ability to hold back it's urine until he was 16 weeks old. Small breed pups have very small bladders and often take longer to develop the muscles that control the bladder.
At this point it is really your responsibility to get him to the potty in time. If you are trying to train him to go outside then you cannot let him out of your sight when he is running free in your house and you have to be ready to get him out when he signals he has to go.
Do you have a place to confine him when you can't watch him. Having a small area with a potty pad and a bed with food and water is a good place to put the pup when you need a break.
Some people will tether the pup to themselves so the pup is within reach at all times. You get to learn the signals and you are there to get him to the appointed potty area in time.
Yelling at a puppy for peeing in the wrong place is really defeating your purpose. It is not the pup's fault. It is a baby and cannot control what it is doing. If he is afraid to give signals when he needs to go you will never get him trained. As he gets better control and you are able to teach him where the appropriate place is you will be able to give him more and more freedom in the home. A young puppy can't be far from it's potty. They just don't have the ability to get themselves to it in time. You have got a ways to go before he is able to be totally trained so I hope you and your husband are ready for the challenge. |