New pup- seems to be playing me- Please help!!

[NYTony51]

Just recieved my new 8 week old boy- I have a large crate that I divided into a small area that he can only turn around and lay in-the crate is in his own room. For the first couple of days, I left the crate open at night so he knew that it was not a place to go to the bathroom (also because he was all screwed up from his flight from Europe). I put the wee wee pads on the opposite side of the room from the crate and for the first couple of days and he went on them about 80% of the time. I have begun to close the crate for periods of time to acclimate him to being restricted. Problem is, now he relieves himself as soon as I put him in the crate. I clean up and put him back in and 10 minutes later he goes again. Is he too young to expect him not to go in the crate (8 weeks) or is he associating his going and my return to the crate? He also seems to be able to urinate 10 times the amount of water he drinks. Is there an appropriate amount of water to give him? Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

[debbiej]

There are some stickies on house training a puppy here somewhere.

When I've had puppies, I took them outside and wait till they pee, and make a big deal about it.

[StephanieandToby]

It could be that he doesn't see his crate as his "den" because the door is left open. Does he sleep wherever he wants?
I would start by putting him in his crate for small periods of time after he pees outside...give him a chew toy to settle him down...then take him out after 10 minutes to pee outside and praise him like crazy....then increase the time in the crate by increments.
Just be consistent and he should get it. It doesn't sound as though the crate is too large.
If he is peeing an awful lot...do you think it could be a UTI??? Maybe a vet visit would be in order.

[JaniceH]

Hi,

I have never taught/encouraged a pup to actually go to the toilet in the house, because ultimatley you still then have to teach it to go outside. So take your pup outside regularly ie. after feeding, after playing, after sleeping and as often as you can in between. Give the command you feel comfortable with, and then when pup does relieve itself, give it lots of reward in the form of praise, petting or treats. Also, I always shut the crate door when Pup is to be left ie. at night or if you have to go out. This way both pup and your house are safe.

You did the right thing in partitioning the crate, but I also don't think he sees it as his den yet. I think you made the mistake of leaving the crate door open at night and encouraging him to toilet inside, but that is just my opinion.

Good luck.

[NYTony51]

All of the responses make sense, and thanks to those who responded. I just started taking him out (he is not fully vaccinated so I had some reservations) but he has taken to the outdoors and has gone successfully out there today. Hopefully more time outdoors will do the trick.

[Dakota926]

I tried the wee wee pad's also but was told to just bring her outside. It works great and the only accidents she has are usually my fault for noticing the sniffing or pacing back and forth. But other than those few mistakes she is taking to the outside great. We use our lawn where no other dogs would go to avoid any problems until she is fully vaccinated, It's winter it will grow back in the spring when we are able to take our walks Good Luck

[spiralpuddles]

whenever i fed my pup or she had a drink i took her outside to pee..i put her bedding in the crate to sleep at night to stop her peeing over house as i wanted her to whine or bark to go out...and thats what she does...she dont like doing it in her bed..when i first got her i was up every 3 hrs or so...now she goes for a pee about 11pm..and thats her until 8am!!

[Canadianrotti]

Here is what worked for me. Not saying it is the "right" way, just what i found to work.

- puppy is in the crate for the night with door CLOSED. Crate is big enough for them to turn around in only, no bigger.

- stop giving them water about 1 hour or so before bed time
- be dilligent about house training, EVERY time they start to pee or poop, out they go, even if they finish on the way, they still go out
- have a big party when they go outside, reward like crazy
- puppy should only have to go out 1, maby 2 times during the night, the rest is just getting your attention (and it is working!! )

Raelin was trained in about 10 days. Every dog is different. She still stayed in the crate at night and when no one was home untill she was nearly 1 y/o. Then we let her out at night, then a few months later we started leaving her out for short periods when we were not home.

BTW, the rule of thumb with crate time is there age in months plus 1 = the number of hours in the crate.

Good luck

[kim morton]

I have a similar problem. Three 18 month old pups, who have not been house trained and are now living in a house. How do I train them to only go outside. Do I have to work with each one individually? We've got to the point where they don't go in the bedroom anymore, but there's just one spot they make a beeline for just when my back is turned. I read the suggestion that you take the dog out and praise when they get it right but it's hard to do with three. Is that the only/best way to train a (group of) more mature pup(s)? Thanks

[al9072a]

In terms of pups drinking a lot, you can give them crushed ice or small ice cubes, which soothes their thirst but make them pee less often (ice gets absorded into the bloodstream quicker). also nice for teething/chomping.

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by kim morton

I have a similar problem. Three 18 month old pups, who have not been house trained and are now living in a house. How do I train them to only go outside. Do I have to work with each one individually? We've got to the point where they don't go in the bedroom anymore, but there's just one spot they make a beeline for just when my back is turned. I read the suggestion that you take the dog out and praise when they get it right but it's hard to do with three. Is that the only/best way to train a (group of) more mature pup(s)? Thanks

Did you just get these pups? I would definitely work on them individually. Crate two of them and work one at a time.

[BostonRott]

As to the OP, if the puppy was raised in a typical European kennel, where they are allowed to pee in the run/pen, housebreaking can be a bit harder. Also remember the time change affects the pup for the first week or so. He's 6hrs ahead of East Coast time. So his internal clock may be a bit off.

I would restrict his water access overnight, to help him hold his bladder better. He probably won't start getting through the night until around 10-12 weeks.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by NYTony51

Just recieved my new 8 week old boy- I have a large crate that I divided into a small area that he can only turn around and lay in-the crate is in his own room. For the first couple of days, I left the crate open at night so he knew that it was not a place to go to the bathroom (also because he was all screwed up from his flight from Europe). I put the wee wee pads on the opposite side of the room from the crate and for the first couple of days and he went on them about 80% of the time. I have begun to close the crate for periods of time to acclimate him to being restricted. Problem is, now he relieves himself as soon as I put him in the crate. I clean up and put him back in and 10 minutes later he goes again. Is he too young to expect him not to go in the crate (8 weeks) or is he associating his going and my return to the crate? He also seems to be able to urinate 10 times the amount of water he drinks. Is there an appropriate amount of water to give him? Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

He is not too young to begin proper toilet training. You have effectively taught your pup to relieve itself inside the crate.

Flight from Europe, or no flight from Europe, your pup is now with you, and needs to learn your schedule. Please read the toilet training articles on the forum here.

In a nutshell, take your pup to a delegated spot in the yard on lead, after he eats, wakes up or finishes playing, and then some in between. Take treats with you, and reward him with gusto everytime he makes the correct choice.

If he squats in the house, simply say "no", and whisk him to the appropriate area to do his business.

You have a little battle now, as he's already learned to evacuate indoors, so this make take a few days to turn around, but with CONSISTANCY (yes, you may need to get up in the middle of the night for a week or so) and kindness, you should be able to turn this around in no time.

Your pup is not playing you, he is simply doing what you've taught him.

[kim morton]

Originally Posted by Luvs

Did you just get these pups? I would definitely work on them individually. Crate two of them and work one at a time.

Thanks, I think I'll do tyhe individual work. I've had them since they were born but the living circumstances have changed!