Potty Training

[Rottnlove]

For those of you who have had 8 week old puppies, how long did it take to fully potty train them?

So far I've had Xena for about 10 days now and it started off pretty good, and I've been taking her out frequently for potty breaks.

As of this past several days, it seems as though she's not getting close to understanding to go outside and I've been very easy on her as well as consistent.

I believe most of my problem is just due to her age.

So, my question is: how long has it taken for your puppies to be fully potty trained? I know someone on here said it should only take 2 weeks. Unfortunately, we're not even close to that time frame!!! :p

[IRIE'S MAMA]

Originally posted by Rottnlove
So, my question is: how long has it taken for your puppies to be fully potty trained? I know someone on here said it should only take 2 weeks. Unfortunately, we're not even close to that time frame!!! :p

I don't think that there is a "SET" time frame on how long it takes. Every pup is different just like kids. I think it took Irie about a month before there was NEVER an issue again. She would go to the door and if you were not right there at that very second she would start to squat and I would say No, outside and hurry her out the door. When ya gatta go....well you know the rest. Every time she would wander over to the door I would say "Do You have to go potty?" It is all about the repetition. I have a "door scratcher" It is something that I allowed and of course now I will always here her scratchin to go outside. If you don't want a "scratcher" Make sure you nip it in the bud if it starts up. Some folks have trained dogs to use bells. That kind of stuff is further down the road though. Sorry I am rambling. The point is that there is no magic time frame for teaching a dog anything. Just stay consistant and she will catch on! When are the pics coming by the way :) I also want to say Congrats on your long awaited baby girl.

[Sansano]

Quick question, are you using a crate? If not, run, don't walk to get one. It will be a godsend for potty training. Buy a large crate and cordon off enough room for her to lie down and turn around. keep her in the crate except for feeding, playing and going potty. Everytime she is let out of the crate, take her outside and fawn all over her when she does her business. It really shouldn't take too long doing it this way. I think my boy was done within a week or so.

[whitney greenway]

For those whos dogs are potty trained. I am jealous. Mine is not even close to being ready. I crate her, and she still does not have the concept yet.

I am hoping that we will get is soon. I let her out of the crate after her naps and whatnot, she also squats on her way out the door. So close, but no cigar.

She also will pee in her crate if she has to go and I am not here.

We keep on trying, she will get it one day, WHEN I am not sure.

[Sansano]

Hey Whitney.

How big is her crate? One thing I did with Baggio the first few days was actually carry him outside to insure he didn't pee on his way out. LOL. Good luck.:)

[LynnS]

I dont know if I am being helpful or discouraging but Bella at 4.5 mnths is at about 9.5 on the potty training meter. She has been crated as well. This is with consistant potty breaks outside on our part (and conisistant positive reinforcement) when she is awake and with us. A couple of times she has run to back door and whined which was very encouraging. Sometimes i think the fact that she is in daycare (where is like and indoor rubber floor park and they go on the floor (it's immediately wiped up and sanitized) has not helped.

[Judi W]

I would agree. Much of how difficult or easy it is to housetrain a pup depends upon how they were kept before. Puppies that have a special potty area even when still in the whelping box are much easier to housebreak. those that were kept in such a fashion that they went where ever they happened to be standing at the time take much longer.

My pups had a doggy door from their puppy room with little steps to it and it opened up onto a patio with an xpen that led out to the grass. At 5 weeks of age they would climb up and out the doggy door and run out to the grass to do their business. When they left home they were pretty much housebroken. My girlfriend, hearing about this but not having that option, bought sod and put it in a special place changing it out as necessary and the same thing worked for that litter. A clever breeder can do much of the work ahead of time.

Dogs that are kept so that they go on a floor are at a disadvantage. It is difficult for them to distinguish one floor from another. Ditto with the daycare description.

[Rottnlove]

I think it's just going to take some good time and consistancy. My goal was for 2 weeks, but maybe that wasn't realistic for her.

The breeder had them go to an area for potty. All the puppies were very good about it and they didn't really mess on the rug they played on.

She has a crate and sleeps in it at night and when I'm not here to watch her. If I leave her in it too long during the day she doesn't seem to want to settle down at night! So I try not to let her sleep in it too much during the day. :)

She really is doing well. I have taken tons of pics and just have a few more to take before we go and develop them. I'll post the pics as soon as I get them. :D

[whitney greenway]

She has a crate that is more or less 2.5 by 3.5. We have it sectioned off and as we get it, I will let her have full use of her crate.

She seems to be getting everything else, but this housebreaking is a little harder than I remember.

All my other dogs have been broken in a very short while.

[Judi W]

Originally posted by whitney greenway
She seems to be getting everything else, but this housebreaking is a little harder than I remember.

It always is.......... Truthfully, I've found my girls take longer than my boys ever do. I've always seemed to have them reliable by 10 weeks or so however. Just been lucky I guess.

[LynnS]

Thansk Judi for confirming what I thought re: daycare. That was actually one of my concerns when we were making the decision to take her there or not. It seems much easier to teach a dog where they are supposed to go as opposed to where they are NOT supposed to go...In any case it's prob easier if the breeder has a hand in it.

[Judi W]

I would not want my dog at a facility where they were taught it was OK to go to the bathroom indoors. No matter how they clean up, it has got to stink in there. If they don't have an outdoor exercise area for the dogs to relieve themselves they need to find a new location.

[LynnS]

Actually it may sound terrible but it's pretty amazing. It certainly NEVER SMELLS and I am there all the time...Remember this is in the middle of San Francisco...There are 2 floors and each floor is approx 3000 sq ft. The flooring is some type of rubber which is prob why it does not retain any oder. There are about 15 dogs on a floor and tons of balls, agility equip etc.. There are 4 full time trainers/apprentices (2 on each floor) on the floor at all times. One floor is designated for puppies and smaller dogs.

[Judi W]

OK. I can still see that it certainly would make house training more difficult however. Especially with a pup who is less able to discriminate between play school and home floors.

[LynnS]

I agree 100%!