I am currently potty training and temperatures are getting chilly ... I have trained other puppies in winter and no doubt about it ... not fun ...
My vet believes 2 sets of puppy shots are enough to let them go outside IF you have a fenced in area that no un-vaccinated pets can access ( in our case we can guarantee that - super secure fence - we don't even get bunnies in our yard) - and no cat will venture anywhere close with 4 dogs keeping watch - no taking the puppy out into parks and such yet though ...
I do not like crates - maybe because I foster mill puppies - just doesn't work for me ...
I set up a puppy pen with a piece of linoleum underneath ( see your home improvement store) - I make one corner a soft area with fleece blankets ( very cheap at walmart) and toys , then food dishes in the middle and one area with pee pads ... usually puppies figure out quickly to pee in the right area ... It will preserve your sanity as there is no way you can watch your pooch 100 percent of the time ...
When I start outside training I keep the puppy close to me 100% of the time - and take her outside after they drink, eat, play and otherwise every hour ( you will stretch this time) ... I praise them when they "go" outside and say " go potty" when they eliminate. After a while they will start going on command or know what I want from them when they are out ... The hardest thing is always for them to figure out how to go out by themselves through the doggie door when they need to " go". I always find that one weekend of intense training ( meaning you will be watching your puppy like a hawk and prevent all indoor accidents) is best ... I only use pee pads at night in the doggie room and when we are to home ... And in the puppy pen in the very beginning ...
Small dogs take time to develop " control" and when the weather is cold or wet - or both even the potty trained pooches hate to go outside. There are small dogs that train fast but it can take a year and more to achieve perfection in the potty area ... don't give up- don't think it will never happen ... Get a carpet cleaner with a hand attachment, a good odor eliminator and remember that even human kids take quite a while to be completely potty trained ...
I hate training in the winter because I get cold easily ...But it needs to be done ... sometimes I have to carry our shivering pooch outside and feel mean making them go out but then ... I am cold too ... with my first dog I thought he would never train ... but he is now very reliable. Our little Bella will eventually get the hang of it - we had our first accident free day yesterday woohoo! Today she peed inside already - it is quite amazing how often they can " go" - it is 6.50 am and I have taken her out 3 times already after her breakfast ( she went every time) and here we go ... first accident of the day ... they give you this one look of cuteness and you forget all about winter and the carpet cleaner ... Bella is NOT a fast learner in the potty department but she'll get it ... she makes up for it with her sweet personality lol |