Potty issues

[sweetheartsok]

I'm getting so frustrated with Mindy. She's 8 months now and this morning my daughter caught her peeing on my beautiful Christmas tree skirt. When I went to clean it I found that she had done it once before already. Bear isn't much better but I'm hoping with him it's his age and he will get it soon. I keep them in their x pen most of the time because of this and the minute they are free they are pooing and peeing all over the place. I praise them when they do go on their pad and I say No and put them on the pad when they go elsewhere. I'm beginning to think they will never be trained. I'd think by 8 months she should have gotten it by now. I'm I wrong to think this? I don't know what else to do. I'm at a loss other then to keep them in their xpen all the time but my husband thinks that's no life for them but I'm thinking maybe if they were contained for a while they would get used to only going on the pad. Oh ya...they will go on the floor and the rug.

Any suggestions???

[SarahandElisha]

Personally, I'm not a fan of pad training. Don't get me wrong, it works for an overwhelming number of people here on YT. Not for me, though. First, I prefer that my dog goes outside. He's a dog. I feel like it's cleaner, plus it provides him with a more structured potty schedule. With a pee pad, the dog's though process had to be "I need to pee...I'll go use my pad." When taken outdoors regulary, the process instead is: "I'm outside, I will pee." It cuts out the dog having to think about where to go and provides a structured schedule.

Are you or someone home with the dog during the day? I take my dog outside for a walk in the morning after getting ready for work. When I first got him I took him out before getting dressed, so he wouldn't have to hold it and risk and accident. When he would have an accident, I would say "no" firmly, and take him out for a few minutes. Every single time. It was annoying, but within a week he was rarely peeing indoors. I think that this is much more clearcut than taking a dog and placing him on a pad. Yes, he or she can learn what the pad means, but they can also be confused as to why you're just moving them to another part of the room.

Nowadays, Jesse never goes inside. We go out in the morning, he poos and pees. Sometime in the afternoon (4-6 hours later), I take him out again and he pees. Early evening we go out and he pees, and finally a walk before bed where he pees and poos. I recommend a tight schedule. Dogs thrive on routine. Even on weekends when I'd rather sleep in, I wake up and take Jesse out at his regular time and then get back into bed.

A few times I have forgotten to take him out at the appropriate time. When I've done this he has sometimes had accidents. He likes his schedule, plus I can't really blame him for peeing on the carpet if it has been 8 hours and I haven't taken him out. My next goal is to train him to ring a bell or something to let me know he has to go.

I would consider trying a strictly scheduled "outdoor" schedule if you have found that you have exhausted the potty-pad option.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[SarahandElisha]

Oh, I forgot to add something. You mentioned that upon cleaning the skirt you noticed that she had already peed there once before. Big no-no. My trainer taught me a phrase that has proven itself worth her services. "It is the dog's accident but your mistake. If your dog is not yet potty trained, you must must must always be watching her. It's hard, it's annoying, it's nearly impossible! But you have to do it. The best way to potty train is to take the dog to the pee area before they start somewhere else.

If you are working in the kitchen, consider using child doors to keep her in the room with you. If you are watching TV, do the same in the TV room. If you are in the house but totally unable to have an eye on her, or if you are going out, leave her in a pen or crate. Anytime you are home, the dog should be in the same room as you, or with someone else responsible to watch her. This is the only way she will get the hang of it. Consistency is key. It is well worth it in the long run. A few months of strict scheduling and close watching will be rewarded with years of being able to allow her free roam in the house regardless of what room you are in, or when you have to run to work or to the store.

[Yorkiekids]

I have to agree with potty training to go outside if at all possible. This way they get to know this is the special place they have to go to pee. I think inside it's hard for them to figure out where's the right place versus the wrong one. The xpen should help, but if you take them out you have to be constantly watching, and bring them frequently back to their pad. Atleast once an hour.

[sweetheartsok]

I completely understand what you are saying and I'm beginning to wonder if the problem is trying to get them to understand they should be only peeing on the pad. They are not left unattended ever. I can be right beside them and they will squat to pee. I tell them No and bring them straight to their pee pad but so far they don't get it. I change the pad often because I know that is an issue for them.

So what do you suggest since I have two puppies....should I keep them both in their crate at night? I do have one that is big enough for both of them? Our yard isn't fenced so do you think it would be okay to set up their x pen outside for them to go to, to do their business? I know my husband would be happier if they were going outside but part of the reason I chose the pads was because Mindy refused to go out in the rain. How do I deal with that? I'm willing to try anything.

Thank you so much for responding. I appreciate your advice.

[Ladylavender]

Originally Posted by sweetheartsok

So what do you suggest since I have two puppies....should I keep them both in their crate at night? I do have one that is big enough for both of them? Our yard isn't fenced so do you think it would be okay to set up their x pen outside for them to go to, to do their business? I know my husband would be happier if they were going outside but part of the reason I chose the pads was because Mindy refused to go out in the rain. How do I deal with that? I'm willing to try anything.

Thank you so much for responding. I appreciate your advice.

Well, I would definitely crate them at night until they are housebroken. But you may have to get up in the middle of the night when you hear them whine, take them out to pee and back in the crate they go. (that's what I did).

Also, Millie hated the rain too (what little puppy does?). So I had to leash her, get an umbrella and stay out in the rain with her until she did her business. NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TOOK. I refused to "take no" for an answer! (Yes it was cold and wet and horrible, but that's what I had to do) After a while they get that they need to hurry to pee to get back in doors and out of the rain.

Having the x-pen outside to enclose a "potty area" is good. They can stay focused and learn that when in the x-pen they have to potty, and after potty, they get out.

[sweetheartsok]

Thanks for the advice. I went out today and bought a bellyband and a diaper. That will keep them from peeing on the carpet and so far they refuse to mess with them on so that is a good thing. I've been praising them and giving them treats when they've gone on the pad. I hadn't been giving treats but only praising when I saw them do it. I'm paying closer attention so I catch them on the pad as much as possible to reinforce the good behaviour. I know that some of you prefer outdoor potty training but for me pee pads is the best option for my situation. I have two young girls and now two puppies. I like that they stay clean and dry all the time and the convenience of being able to leave them for longer periods of time if necessary.

Thank God for belly bands and diapers.