Does anybody discipline their puppy.....

[MollysMommy13]

Thank you all for your input. I have one other question though. I am using the disposable potty pads but was thinking about getting the reusable ones since we are doing the indoor training mostly. Do you guys have a preference or will I confuse her if I change on her now? I had to use a different brand a while back and it was not pretty. She did not take to the different brand at all.

[KazzyK810]

When I first bought washable pads, I just put one on the floor where her potty place is, and then put the disposables on top of it, so she got used to it being there. After a few days I took the disposable away, and left the washable by itself. The first time she went to pee on it, she looked up at me...as if to say, is this ok??? I told her good girl as she was peeing & gave her a treat when she was done.

[MollysMommy13]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

When I first bought washable pads, I just put one on the floor where her potty place is, and then put the disposables on top of it, so she got used to it being there. After a few days I took the disposable away, and left the washable by itself. The first time she went to pee on it, she looked up at me...as if to say, is this ok??? I told her good girl as she was peeing & gave her a treat when she was done.

Thanks so much!! I found some on amazon that have gotten some really good reviews. I think I'm gonna go for it and give them a shot. I've not had to worry about her ripping up the disposable ones yet but I'm afraid it could happen at any time. Those aren't the best for my hardwood floors either. From what I read the washable ones are much much better and seem to absorb better. Thanks for the advice about trying both and switching them about till she gets use to them. I don't wanna confuse her and cause a setback.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by MollysMommy13

Thanks so much!! I found some on amazon that have gotten some really good reviews. I think I'm gonna go for it and give them a shot. I've not had to worry about her ripping up the disposable ones yet but I'm afraid it could happen at any time. Those aren't the best for my hardwood floors either. From what I read the washable ones are much much better and seem to absorb better. Thanks for the advice about trying both and switching them about till she gets use to them. I don't wanna confuse her and cause a setback.

A YT member makes beautiful washable pads that are very popular: Washable and reusable dog and puppy pee pads, belly bands, and diapers by T. Bumpkins & Co.

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I am a big Audrey Hepburn fan, but I haven't seen that movie in years. I must have blocked out those scenes in my memory.

I wish I could block them out! It was such a tiny yorkie too!

During the first scene I was just purely shocked. The second time, I saw it coming & watched closely to see if she just pretended to hit it or really hit it...and she really hit it...and a couple of swats each time! Knowing that Audrey was a yorkie owner herself, I'm surprised she allowed such behavior in a movie she was in.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

I wish I could block them out! It was such a tiny yorkie too!

During the first scene I was just purely shocked. The second time, I saw it coming & watched closely to see if she just pretended to hit it or really hit it...and she really hit it...and a couple of swats each time! Knowing that Audrey was a yorkie owner herself, I'm surprised she allowed such behavior in a movie she was in.

That was my thought too, surprised Audrey would allow it considering she not only had a Yorkie, but she loved animals in general.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Maximo

For potty training, I strongly advocate positive reinforcement. If you catch her going somewhere she isn't supposed to go, say, "Uh uh uh" or "uh oh" and take her to the pad. Use keywords like "potty here." She won't have to go right away, but it reinforces the idea.

For puppies or any dog in training, limit freedom to a smallish area, an xpen or small room, especially when you can't supervise closely. This keeps the pad within easy reach and diminishes temptation to go somewhere else.

Praise when she gets it right. Get really excited like she just performed the best trick in the world, and then give her a little treat.

Be sure to clean the accidents sites thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner to eliminate the scent that might tempt her to return.

I agree the praise has to be really enthusiastic. But beware, once I was really really surprised and I shouted out in happiness and I scared the sh*t out of Uni. Oops.

I have to say that I do punish. When they do something I don't want, I talk to them in a very stern voice. If it's pee or ransacked trash I take them to the spot and point to it. They know. As soon as I bring them there, it's all ears down and tail between the legs. I make them sit near the mess and I give a two finger tap on the rear flank (not a spank at all) and say a "bad boy" or "bad girl". Then I take them to where they are supposed to be and change my tone to very cheerful and happy, and their tails automatically go from tucked to wagging and then that is it. But if they do it again, I do the same thing again. That's what has worked for me. But it has not worked with every dog I've fostered so you just have to see what works for you dog.

I'd say don't change up your method for a good few weeks or so; until you are sure it doesn't work for your dog, don't change your method. You'll just confuse the dog.

Sometimes I put Uni in a time out. She's the only dog I've taken care of that does a very good stay. So if she gets in trouble she gets put in time out for five mins and she can't leave until I give her the ok. I think that is a punishment, but I don't think that word is so bad. Discipline and punishment is not abuse.

[gracielove]

Your puppy is still really young. It's great that she is dong as well as she is. I would say that it is possible that she is getting too far away from her potty at times. They really don't have the ability to hold it that long at her age. Really they only develop the ability to hold back their urine at about 16 weeks of age so your girl is doing really well.

I never disciplined Gracie about potty mistakes. I only rewarded her when she got it right. If she seemed to go off training once in a while I would start giving her treats every time she got it right until she was back to being pretty steady about it again. Then just praise.

For now you might want to keep her as close to the potty as possible. Gracie has always slept with me at night so I kept a potty pad in my bedroom for a while. When she was old enough not to need it anymore I gradually moved it out to where her regular pad is was and then eliminated it.

[MollysMommy13]

Originally Posted by gracielove

Your puppy is still really young. It's great that she is dong as well as she is. I would say that it is possible that she is getting too far away from her potty at times. They really don't have the ability to hold it that long at her age. Really they only develop the ability to hold back their urine at about 16 weeks of age so your girl is doing really well.

I never disciplined Gracie about potty mistakes. I only rewarded her when she got it right. If she seemed to go off training once in a while I would start giving her treats every time she got it right until she was back to being pretty steady about it again. Then just praise.

For now you might want to keep her as close to the potty as possible. Gracie has always slept with me at night so I kept a potty pad in my bedroom for a while. When she was old enough not to need it anymore I gradually moved it out to where her regular pad is was and then eliminated it.

Thanks for the encouragement. I currently keep pee pads in my living room,den and her bedroom. Maybe that's some of what's wrong. I let her roam into too many rooms. If I keep her contained to one room (like my living room) and then just her bedroom for when we are gone and at bedtime that might make a difference too. At least till she's older.

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by MollysMommy13

Thanks for the encouragement. I currently keep pee pads in my living room,den and her bedroom. Maybe that's some of what's wrong. I let her roam into too many rooms. If I keep her contained to one room (like my living room) and then just her bedroom for when we are gone and at bedtime that might make a difference too. At least till she's older.

Yeah, too much room to roam too soon can get confusing for them. Maybe if you gate off some rooms for her until she gets a little older she will do better.