Might not want to give them as much room to roam till they "get it" with the pad training, and outside training.
I kept Venus in an ex-pen. When she got the potty training, in that, I expanded it a little further....just the kitchen area.
Make sure the crate isn't too large. Just enough room to stand and turn around. I wouldn't leave them in the crates more than 3-4 hours at the very most at one time.
Venus messed her crate up that first week. I keep her crate beside my bed at night. When I first hear her whimper....we go directly outside. It don't matter what time it is. Took her about a week to learn, that if she wimpered at all...we were going outside, pronto. Even if she messed her crate up...we still went outside.
I just added the living room at times to her "ok" area. When she has accidents, I spray them immediately with a solution of 1/2 white Vinegar, and 1/2 water. That neutralizes the smell. Then I use the carpet cleaner on the spot. Getting that urine smell out so they won't go back to the same spot. If you don't get the smell out, they will keep going in the same spots.
I've also heard of some here that put the dog on a leash, and tie the leash to their pants. That way they know when the dog is sniffing, looking for a potty place, and can take them to the pad, or outside.
Watch for signs of them needing to potty. A #2 they will do the circle thing. For a #1 they sniff a lot. Take them outside or to the potty pad when you see them do either.
If they have an accident, I take it one step backward to where they were before I gave more "roaming rights".
I also looked through every post for replies on this board to potty training and got a lot of tips that way too! I found everything I was going through, someone else has also been through the same thing!
I try to take Venus to the kitchen where her potty pads are about every hour. Especially if we've been in the living room. If I stay in the kitchen with her for a few minutes she will pee on the pads. Now #2, we're still working on! |