We got a half-Bichon/half-Sheltie dog over the weekend and are learning about its potty habits still. She's very comfortable sleeping in a crate, but overnight, we leave the door open so it can go if it needs to. She seems to be paper trained from the pet store she came from (since its enclosure was covered in newspaper), but we're trying to outdoor train it. We think that having it go on newspaper (we have a little potty area in the den) is good overnight, but we know it will only set back the crate training too.
Because it is so young, we're apprehensive to close the crate door for the full 8 hours we're asleep. I get up at 3AM to check on her, but she's already done her business. I am still adjusting my sleep to get her outside before that happens. How long will I have to do this?
Can she possibly be locked up for the full 8 hours without going in her crate yet?
2006-07-31 09:43:51 · 9 answers · asked by nornnyweb 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Not that this has anything to do with the topic, but yes, I did pay for our puppy. We looked at shelters and surfed petfinder religiously, but in the end, there was no dog that really fit what we were looking for closeby.
We stopped by a puppy store after a day of looking at a few shelters just on whim (we were heading to dinner), and fell in love with our puppy. It got a good bill of health by the vet, and we don't intend to further breed her. I did pay a small fortune for her, but i don't think I should be judged for it. We really did try for a shelter dog. She has not once made me regret my decision so far.
I do realize her "mix" is not officially recognized nor is it even unofficially recognized, it seems. While it's a concern, it's appearence is not anything out of ordinary. It looks very much like a Bichon/Yorkie. Should I be concerned?
I don't understand where this response is coming from.
I don't get where you're comin
2006-07-31 10:04:21 · update #1
Eight hours is probably too long for the little gal to hold it. I'm not an animal trainer, but it seems like having a place for her to go inside as well as doing the outside training is a win-win situation.
If you are ever away longer than expected, she has a place to go if she is in the house rather than ruining your carpet.
You sound a little like a nervous mom. I remember when my kitties were babies, I checked on them and worried about them constantly. They're big ol' independent cats now and about as healthy and happy as they come.
Your pup will be fine. Lots of love and consistent expectations should yield a wonderful companion.
2006-07-31 09:53:36 · answer #1 · answered by freedomnow1950 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My suggestion is for you to move the crate to your bedroom. Since a dog will not use the bathroom in it's own living space it will not "go" in it's crate (which is the major point of the crate in the first place). Puppy should start whining or messing with the door when it needs to potty. This will wake you up so you can take puppy outside.
Be prepared to get up once or twice a night to take puppy outside if you want to train it to use the bathroom outside instead of in your house.
Some tips to help puppy make it through the night:
Take up it's water a couple of hours before bedtime.
Keep it's last feeding of the day several hours before bedtime.
Take puppy outside to potty right before you put it in the crate.
And you might need to carry puppy outside when you take it out of the crate to keep it from pottying on the floor, since it is used to newspapers on the floor, and it might be hard for puppy to walk when it has to go badly without making an accident.
Don't put anything in the crate with it except for a blanket or cushion and a couple of toys. Never put food, water, or newspapers in the crate with puppy,
2006-07-31 17:10:00 · answer #2 · answered by Meg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at three months, she may not be able to hold it for a full 8 hours. You have two options...move the crate into your bedroom so you can hear her when she gets up and starts to cry or whine to come out......or....if the crate is large enough, set up the back end of the crate with blankets and the front end with paper. This way, if she has to go, she will go on the paper in the front of the crate...but the crate door will be closed so she can't get out. This may be the best option, because she'll hold it as long as she cans to avoid having to go to the bathroom in her crate, but if she can't hold there is paper there for her to use without messing up her sleeping area.
good luck.
2006-07-31 16:46:55 · answer #3 · answered by k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Restrict the dogs intake of water before bed time, like 2-3 hours prior. Take it out before you go to bed (be sure the dog goes) and then lock the crate at bedtime. This should give the dog less reason to need to go. With the restricted fluid intake, the urgency is gone and it also teaches the need to hold it through the night. Upon waking take the dog out immediately, and give it back its water.
2006-07-31 17:06:17 · answer #4 · answered by theevilpowerpuffgirl6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 10 month old yellow lab and it took until he was about 6 months old before he could hold it that long, just be patient and work with your puppy.
2006-07-31 16:54:59 · answer #5 · answered by camarogirl941 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope you did not pay actual money for this "breed" of puppy at a pet store. I hope it was one of those pay an adoption fee things.
2006-07-31 16:49:18 · answer #6 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she may piddle but dogs are less likely to weewee where they eat and sleep so soon she will be fine. i say go for it
2006-07-31 16:52:48 · answer #7 · answered by mr_soapytitwank 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
until they're 4 mos old
2006-07-31 16:47:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In your imagination .
2006-07-31 16:47:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋