Quote:
Originally Posted by yavenay  ...Limit the amount of freedom in the house until he is potty trained. Some people like to use the the tether method. They tied their puppies to them so if the see them squatting to take a pee they can quickly scoop them up and take them to where they are supposed to potty.
Others use the crate method. They keep the puppy in the crate and let them out to potty. When they are fully potty trained they get more freedom.
Both methods restrict freedom.
Also for letting you know, you can always use the bell method. Place a bell on the door where you take the little one out to potty. Every time you take him out to potty, hit the bell or take his paw and hit the bell and then once outside say "potty" or something similar and then give him a treat. Over time he will begin to associate the bell with potty and he will start to hit the bell every time he wants to go potty... |
Like everyone else said, it sounds like you're on the right track! Sounds like Scottie when I first got him at 5months. I still remember looking at him and getting a gut feeling he needed to go, but I wanted to finish washing the one last dish in my sink, and then...he pees. He had to go and didn't know how to tell me. I kinda knew..because of the number of hours since his last pee break. Totally my fault!
But don't worry, there will be accidents. Just as long as you keep to a schedule and gradually increase the number of hours he can hold it, you'll be there in no time.
Excellent advice by
yavenay. I actually used all 3 methods: limited his space, tethered him when he was home with me, crated him at night and while I was away from home. Then gradually you can give him more freedom and space as he's 'earned it' (i.e. no accidents). Worked out really well for me.
I tried the bell thing. Hung little bells at the door and consistently got him to ring it, but he never associated it with a potty break. Oh well~ Works for some, doesn't work for others. FYI, I bought little bells from the dollar store and hung it at the end of a yarn. Not sure what kind of bells you have, but maybe it's too loud and it scares him?
Don't feel like a failure though! You're doing good
They'll have accidents sometimes up to 1 or 2 years. Just keep at it!