Training/Paper training

[Coco's Mom]

Originally Posted by wemple2

Did you get the wiz dog...or dog wiz...or whatever it's called? Does it help?
CoCo show your mom what a big girl you are...pee on the pad, don't chew it!!! Keep up the good work, she'll get it.

i did get the wiz dog and returned it! she was horrified of it! i guess it cost me $20 in shipping to try, which stinks, but oh well... she hated it. i now have the iris neat n dry and it's hard for her to get the pad up. she does it every so often but isn't able to get the whole thing out the way she used to when i was taping it. she might get a corner out and play with it. not so bad. i guess they grow out of that as they get older?

[Coco's Mom]

i wanted to give an update and ask for suggestions. i have now had coco for 6 months and she sometimes uses the puppy pad when she is out and about (as in, not locked in her x-pen). when she is in the x-pen she almost always uses the pad. sometimes she misses and it rolls off but what can you do?

what i don't understand is why she makes in the house behind my back when she has 2 puppy pads in the house she knows she is allowed to use. for instance, she makes pee and poop on my oriental rug and on my kitchen floor on a regular basis. i almost never catch her doing it, she does this when she is alone.

i am using a new training pad attractant from the doctor's foster and smith catalogue called train-um. after using it the first 2 days she was 100% going to the pad on her own and both peed and pooped on it. then a few days later she has gone back to her old ways of often going in the house in inappropriate places. i also allow her to go outside several times a day and she knowws she can potty there, and we walk and she pee pees when we do that.

why can't she understand and can you offer suggestions? i am losing my mind. i just want her to be good

[wemple2]

I wish I had an answer for you...I know it would be hard to keep her in the xpen when not being supervised, but that's all I can think of...sorry. Winston has always been on a schedule...outside to potty first thing in the morning, then feed him...outside again before work, then he's confined in the kitchen for 4 hours until I come home for lunch, outside again, then feed him...outside again before going back to work, confined in the kitchen for 4 hours until I get off work, outside again...then feed him...outside again, then he gets the run of the house (but he is totally and completely trained to go potty outside only)...feed him again...outside again...run of the house until bedtime...outside one more time...then he most generally sleeps 8 hours through the night...and we start all over!!! Usually the first potty break in the morning, after coming home for lunch and after work is quick...a couple minutes just to pee...his potty breaks after he eats takes a little longer...I watch to make sure he goes poop. Then before bedtime is another quick break. He does have access to water and dry kibble all the time.
Is your schedule always pretty much the same? They are creatures of habit...so keeping her on a strict routine may help...and confining her when you're not able to give her your full attention. Maybe even confine her to the room you are in...difficult because a person usually goes from room to room through out the day. I guess I just would not permit her the freedom to roam the house until you are confident in her potty training...and know that she will not sneak away and make a potty. And of course make a big deal out of it...when she does it right, let her know how pleased you really are. Gosh, I would have thought by now she would have gotten it...I really do wish you well, this must be so frustrating. I was so fortunate that Winston caught on so quickly, he literally was trained the very first day, but he goes potty outside, never inside...he has never used pee pads. Come on CoCo...be a big girl, show your mommy what you can do!!!

[luvmy3]

Originally Posted by Lulu1120

This may be hard for u but this is what i did and i work also.

I took two weeks vacation and crate trained Lulu. I use a potty tray with the pad so she has to step in the tray to go potty. I also used a gated play pen area so she can play sleep eat and use the potty (make sure the potty is not near her food or sleeping area). I stuck to the training pad as to not confuse her with going outside and inside. I am not lying when i tell you I potty trained her in those two weeks and she has not had an accident since (knock on wood)and she is 7 months old. You have to be very patient and watch her like a hawk. You will not have a life or get much done in those weeks but for me it was sooooo worth it.

Hi Lulu,
Can you tell me more about the Potty tray? Do you mean a litter box? I'm so confused about training. My pup goes NUTS when I put down a wee wee pad. Newspaper he can tolerate, but the pads make him crazy. You put the pad next to the crate? My pup is smart and I think he can really catch on, but I don't know what to do, go out, paper train, I can't decide. People tell me the pro's and con's of both. The reality is, he's not really "getting" either technique. He will use papers in his pen, and he will stay clean in his crate, and he will go outside, but he will not initiate any of these choices. If I have papers in the kitchen, he does not always use them. In his pen yes, but in a larger space, no. I'm home most of the day, so I have the time, but I've never had a young pup like this. Should I follow a schedule for crate training? How often does an 11 week old pup need to go??
Thanks for the help,
Liz

[Coco's Mom]

Originally Posted by wemple2

I wish I had an answer for you...I know it would be hard to keep her in the xpen when not being supervised, but that's all I can think of...sorry. Winston has always been on a schedule...outside to potty first thing in the morning, then feed him...outside again before work, then he's confined in the kitchen for 4 hours until I come home for lunch, outside again, then feed him...outside again before going back to work, confined in the kitchen for 4 hours until I get off work, outside again...then feed him...outside again, then he gets the run of the house (but he is totally and completely trained to go potty outside only)...feed him again...outside again...run of the house until bedtime...outside one more time...then he most generally sleeps 8 hours through the night...and we start all over!!! Usually the first potty break in the morning, after coming home for lunch and after work is quick...a couple minutes just to pee...his potty breaks after he eats takes a little longer...I watch to make sure he goes poop. Then before bedtime is another quick break. He does have access to water and dry kibble all the time.
Is your schedule always pretty much the same? They are creatures of habit...so keeping her on a strict routine may help...and confining her when you're not able to give her your full attention. Maybe even confine her to the room you are in...difficult because a person usually goes from room to room through out the day. I guess I just would not permit her the freedom to roam the house until you are confident in her potty training...and know that she will not sneak away and make a potty. And of course make a big deal out of it...when she does it right, let her know how pleased you really are. Gosh, I would have thought by now she would have gotten it...I really do wish you well, this must be so frustrating. I was so fortunate that Winston caught on so quickly, he literally was trained the very first day, but he goes potty outside, never inside...he has never used pee pads. Come on CoCo...be a big girl, show your mommy what you can do!!!

thanks for writing back! coco is alone much longer unfortunately on weekdays because we work far away. she goes out in the yard for 45 minutes in the morning while i get ready for work. then she comes in and i can watch her during breakfast. then she goes in the xpen and she stays in for about 9-10 hours while we are at work. there is kibble and water and a puppy pad provided in the xpen - and she hardly ever has an accident while confined in there.

when i come home from work i put her in the yard for 45 min to an hour to play. then she comes in and i watch her as much as i can while she has run of the house, unless i have somewhere to go, and i'll put her in the pen.

is this a normal routine?

[wemple2]

I hope others may have a solution to your problem...As I don't have any experience with pee pads...
Your working away from home and Coco spending a great deal of time alone has to be an issue, but there's really nothing you can do about that...she has to potty on pee pads. But what is the trick, to get her to do this every time...even when you are home with her, I don't know.
Maybe her going potty outside and inside on the pads is confusing to her...what do others do in this type of situation? I mean you can't possibly line the whole house with pee pads, then take one away at a time until there is only one left for her to potty on.
I'm sorry I'm no help...I myself don't understand the pad training, but I know that many, many people use this method successfully. Ideas from those people would be appreciated!!!

[Coco's Mom]

Originally Posted by wemple2

I hope others may have a solution to your problem...As I don't have any experience with pee pads...
Your working away from home and Coco spending a great deal of time alone has to be an issue, but there's really nothing you can do about that...she has to potty on pee pads. But what is the trick, to get her to do this every time...even when you are home with her, I don't know.
Maybe her going potty outside and inside on the pads is confusing to her...what do others do in this type of situation? I mean you can't possibly line the whole house with pee pads, then take one away at a time until there is only one left for her to potty on.
I'm sorry I'm no help...I myself don't understand the pad training, but I know that many, many people use this method successfully. Ideas from those people would be appreciated!!!

i appreciate your help, always... everyone who can help me please write!!

[R Walton]

My Sparky is 4 months old. He is not completely trained but we are working on it. I tried crate training and he would just lay in his mess. So I put I bay gate up in the laundry room and put him in there. I put down the pee pads but what do you know, he used the cat's litter boz and did not touch the pee pads. As long as he is confined to the laundry room he does use the litter box. If I let him roam the house I have to watch him or he will make a mess. Just this week though he has started to run to the laundry room to use the box. I hope he is catching on. When he started using the box, I went to the Pet Store and bought an expensive dog litter box and dog litter, but he prefers the cat litter (which is cheaper and less smelly). Just wanted to tell you what I am trying. Good Luck.

[Coco's Mom]

Originally Posted by R Walton

My Sparky is 4 months old. He is not completely trained but we are working on it. I tried crate training and he would just lay in his mess. So I put I bay gate up in the laundry room and put him in there. I put down the pee pads but what do you know, he used the cat's litter boz and did not touch the pee pads. As long as he is confined to the laundry room he does use the litter box. If I let him roam the house I have to watch him or he will make a mess. Just this week though he has started to run to the laundry room to use the box. I hope he is catching on. When he started using the box, I went to the Pet Store and bought an expensive dog litter box and dog litter, but he prefers the cat litter (which is cheaper and less smelly). Just wanted to tell you what I am trying. Good Luck.

can you tell me how you got him to use the litter box? I have a cat so trying that wouldn't be a problem but i don't know where to begin. do you recommend this rather than the puppy pads? it might be worth a try for me. do they bury what they make?

[NKARENG]

My little girl is almost 2 years old now and believe me I tried everything. I first had her in the bathroom before she starting destroying my woodwork. I was afraid it would be my bathroom cabinets next, so I got a exercise pen and used it for approx. a year. I still used newspapers inside the pen but eventually she didn't use the papers at all. She now stays in her crate (which has dark towels around it and she loves it). I too, worked to far away to come home and take her out and leaving her in the crate only caused her to get a bladder infection and me a $80.00 doctor bill when she was young. I use the bells on a ribbon and have them on the door and she rings them when she wants to to outside, but you have to work with them. She will learn. Just take her paw and ring the bell each time you go out and she will learn very quickly that's how she gets to go outside. Sydney will ring the bell and if you don't come, she comes around the corner with a look like "Did you not hear me ring the bell?"

[Coco's Mom]

Originally Posted by NKARENG

My little girl is almost 2 years old now and believe me I tried everything. I first had her in the bathroom before she starting destroying my woodwork. I was afraid it would be my bathroom cabinets next, so I got a exercise pen and used it for approx. a year. I still used newspapers inside the pen but eventually she didn't use the papers at all. She now stays in her crate (which has dark towels around it and she loves it). I too, worked to far away to come home and take her out and leaving her in the crate only caused her to get a bladder infection and me a $80.00 doctor bill when she was young. I use the bells on a ribbon and have them on the door and she rings them when she wants to to outside, but you have to work with them. She will learn. Just take her paw and ring the bell each time you go out and she will learn very quickly that's how she gets to go outside. Sydney will ring the bell and if you don't come, she comes around the corner with a look like "Did you not hear me ring the bell?"

oh my god, how cute! i cannot imagine how long it took you to train sydney to do that. i will have to consider it. so now sydney only goes outside to potty? or does she go on potty pads as well? good to hear from someone else who works all day and has a situation like mine. do you put blankets over the top of the xpen? what does that do for the dog?

[wemple2]

Originally Posted by NKARENG

My little girl is almost 2 years old now and believe me I tried everything. I first had her in the bathroom before she starting destroying my woodwork. I was afraid it would be my bathroom cabinets next, so I got a exercise pen and used it for approx. a year. I still used newspapers inside the pen but eventually she didn't use the papers at all. She now stays in her crate (which has dark towels around it and she loves it). I too, worked to far away to come home and take her out and leaving her in the crate only caused her to get a bladder infection and me a $80.00 doctor bill when she was young. I use the bells on a ribbon and have them on the door and she rings them when she wants to to outside, but you have to work with them. She will learn. Just take her paw and ring the bell each time you go out and she will learn very quickly that's how she gets to go outside. Sydney will ring the bell and if you don't come, she comes around the corner with a look like "Did you not hear me ring the bell?"

Cute idea with the bells...but what do you do with her all day long, while you are away at work...and there's nobody home to hear the bells?

[luvmy3]

Originally Posted by Lulu1120

Ok this is the first time i attach a photo. Lets see how i do...lol!

The play pen I have, I have set up as u see in the picture which turns out to be 5 feet by 2 1/2 feet. Northgate makes it, heres a link to see a piture of it
http://www.petco.com/product/5992/No...t-Yard-XT.aspx

U can set it up as a circle too. If she shreds the plastic ones they sell a frame that holds the pad down and she wont be able to pick at it or drag it. Whats great about this is u can put it in the kitchen, living room,wherever. You can set it up in the LR and leave the TV on for her too.That way she doesnt feel alone!

About her hyperness, it is because she is a puppy and because she is probably not getting enough exercise in the morning. If you can take her for a brisk walk for about 20 minutes everyday so she can let off some energy. Lulu goes nuts the first two hours out of her play pen but after all the exercise and running around she gets tired and only wants to relax and be right by me. Your puppy can be the puppy u want but u really need to put in time. It is exhausting the first four or fuive months but it is worth it cuz u will be both very happy. REMEMBER to use one of those cleaning agents like natures Miracle to clean the spots she goes on. U can mop the whole house with it just incase u think u missed a spot. Better to be ALL clean so she doesnt even smell a little bit of her urine and get tempted to go on that spot again!

*****Hey, we have the exact same pen! I have Spike's crate at one end, and a litter box with papers in it at the other. He shreds the pads too. He hasn't been "going" on his papers for the past few days, maybe he is catching on to going outside? He SCREAMS when we put him in it, which is a real problem in the morning after my husband leaves for work at 6am. He does eventually quiet down, but by then it's too late and he wakes all of us up. He hates to be alone but I can't have him in my room because of my allergies (which have been awful lately for myself and my daughter, I even break out in hives if I pick him up). How long before he can be trusted around the house?
Thanks,
Liz

[Lil Max]

I have had the same issue. Maxie is 10 months old and doesn't seem to be initiating anything. Once she sort-of barked at the door. I don't think I could have praised her enough. But nothing for about a week, and an accident on top of that.
Overall I can't complain. She is alone 9-10 hours, penned in the bathroom with pee pads. She rarely uses them and is doing great in that area.
We have a routine. Out before work, in, eat, out again, pen. When we are home we watch, but no signs. I've tried to scratch at the door and say outside when taking her out. Nothing. The bell might work.
Some people say they just catch on one day and go from there as long as we stick to the routine.
I sure hope so.
Any other suggetions would be great.

[NKARENG]

Originally Posted by Coco's Mom

oh my god, how cute! i cannot imagine how long it took you to train sydney to do that. i will have to consider it. so now sydney only goes outside to potty? or does she go on potty pads as well? good to hear from someone else who works all day and has a situation like mine. do you put blankets over the top of the xpen? what does that do for the dog?

Sydney doesn't use pads or paper at all now. She will be 2 years old this november and has done extremely well with potty training. She will go to her friends house and still go to the door when she needs to go the bathroom even though her friend uses potty pads. I use big dark towels and lay over the top and sides of the metal crate. She seems to like the darkness. She curls up in the very back of it. I used the exercise pen until she seem to never be using the newspapers and they never seem to be moved at all (I think she just slept all day. Believe me I picked up alot of shredded newspapers when I came home.) That's when I decided to use only the crate. I knew that she could hold it until I came home. I only put very little water in with her, but she never drinks it until I come home. There is light at the end of the tunnel and your baby will get the hang of it.