Does anyone have any tips for teaching a puppy to use the bathroom outdoors?

Question

Our family just got a two month old beagle puppy, and my mom gets really frustrated when he uses the bathroom inside. We think that he's starting to understand that what he's doing is bad, it's just that he doesn't know how to tell us that he needs to go out. Any tips on how to teach him to whine at the door would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

First, realize that some dogs never whine at the door when they need to go out. Out of all of my dogs, I only have one who will actually whine when she needs to go outside. Secondly, be consistent. Take him outside often. Get a kitchen egg timer or something, and set it for 90 minute intervals. When the timer goes off, Rover goes out. Once he does his business outdoors, praise him and clap for him (so what if the neighbors think you're nuts, it works) and tell him what a good boy he is. Also, when you take him outside, tell him to go pee, or to go poop. If you can get him to go on command, life will be much simpler for you. Lastly, make sure that you clean your carpets/floors where he's gone before, that way there is no smell for him to go back to. Also realize that it's going to take a little bit of time, and be patient. Relax and enjoy the new friend you've been given. One question, are you crate training? If not, you should be, this also helps with housebreaking. If you'd like more info, feel free to contact me privately.

Answer 2

When your puppy has an accident, don't scold him, simply put him on his leash and show him the door then say "do you want out?"

Open the door and take your puppy out. Then praise him with a pat or a small piece of dog treat. (at first a dog treat will be ok, but you also after serveral successes trade in the treat for a good pat or hug)

Treat the puppy for what it is, a "child" in a sense. Just like potty training a 2 year old, you offer going to the potty shortly after they have eaten. When I was working day care we would send our two years old to the potty every two hours. This estabilishes a routine.

Remember, your puppy has a small bladder and, just like a two year old, can't hold it for long.

I would also suggest puppy training potty pads. Line the area of the house that's ok to potty in with a little tapped down plastic, then put news paper on top. Then, on top of all that, place a potty training pad. Your local pet store should carry them or know where to get them. The reason you're doing this is to give the puppy an acceptable place to go while they are training to go outside. Once an acceptable outside routine is managed, and the puppy is having no accidents in the house, then remove the potty area in the house.

Remember, puppies usually respond well to praise. And, just like children, look for acceptance and being appreciated also. Just let the puppy know when they are doing a good job.

Answer 3

Follow my steps below and your pup will sit at the back door waiting. I breed and show labradors and every new pup I have aquired have taught this way. It works and very quickly.
Males seem to pick it up quicker than the females for some reason.

House training my New Puppy
Often asked question, the one thing every new pup owner dreads

Things you need to know first, before you start.
Pups normally arrive to their new home when they are between 8-10 weeks of age. Unfortunately they do not have full bladder control at this age, it is physically impossible for your pup to hold onto it. When he has to go, he will go. How long do I wait then you ask? Well you don't, you start to teach as soon as pup arrives, but you don't expect too much, or the impossible.

By 12 weeks his body has matured and bladder control finally kicks in. Even so, the max amount of time he can hold it for will be between 2-4 hours.

1. Pick a spot outside where you intend for pup to go.

2. Every time you take pup out use the same spot.

3. Take pup out as often as every hour for the first week.

4. Take pup out after every feed, drink, exercise, play time.

Even if pup doesn't go, that's fine, just wait with pup for a few minutes, if you get a result then give heaps and heaps of praise.
Be consistant, don't give up and never rub pups nose in his excrements if he does do it inside, all you will do is confuse the pup and possibly turn him against you.

Answer 4

Your pup needs your help. He's just a baby and his little urinary tract muscle are not strong enough yet. Be consistent. As soon has he's done eating, drinking, playing and he put his little nose down to find a spot; pick him up, or have him follow you running to the door. put him outside and wait until he goes. Give him lots of praises. Try always using the same door when you take him out. He'll associate going out that way with being a good dog and will learn to love it. If you can't keep an eye on him constantly. Try Crate training. Dogs don't normally go to the bathroom where they sleep. As soon as you take him out of his crate put him outside and praise. Try limiting the amount of water he drink at night before you go to bed.

Answer 5

When our three dogs were potty training we would take them out every hour or so. This way they never really got a chance to go in the house. Then we would gradually build up the time in between going out. Be consistent on what you tell them to do. 'go pee-pee potty'.
Some people teach there dog to use a bell. They hang a bell by the back door and everytime they take the dog out they ring it until the puppy learns to correlate the bell to going potty and then the dog rings it when he/she needs to go. Good luck!

Answer 6

You have got to watch your puppy,,,when he is ready to got potty, he will start circling to find a place to go....it's a matter of you warching it closely...2 Mo old is a baby.... I advise you to try to paper train first somewhere near the door... Go to your local Wal-mart, and purchase the new Puppy Pad...and when he goes, put his poo on the paper... I advise the pads with the adheasive stripes on back so they will stay down cause ur pup will try to drag it off..... and when you think pup has to potty, sit him on the paper...and make him stay there...you sit in the floor and just keep him from leaving the paper until he goes potty, then every chance you get to catch him to take him out, do so....Do not spank your dog for his accidents, it will only confuse him...And when he does poty out side or on his paper PRAISE him make it just a wonderful thing, get down on your knees and just Praise him...it will take about o week of hard work on doing this, but it will work...It's all about patience and your willingness to train him.... Best of Luck

Answer 7

Take him outside every two hours if possible. Always take him/her out the SAME way (through the same door). If there is an accident, take the dog outside immediately even if he doesn't go. By taking the puppy out the same door every time, he will learn that when he has to go, he will stand at that door. They learn through routine/repition. My golden stands at the slider when he has to go. If we don't notice right away, he will nudge the verticals. If we still don't notice, he will bark at the door to get our attention. He was trained in two weeks.

Also, don't forget to praise him when he goes out there! They like to hear they are a "good dog". :)

Answer 8

One way is to make sure he goes out at least once an hour. he will then associate out side with good potty :-) Somehting else is to take an old washcloth that you use to clean up after him and stick it outside on a stick where you want him to go. He'll smell it and know right away that is the spot for him to do that. it's going to take some time and persistance but I had my dog going to the door at 13 weeks, she came home with me at 12 weeks. Good luck and congrats on the new pup!

Answer 9

Domestic dogs traditionally have to relieve themselves after snoozing and eating, so take him external to the place you wish to have him to go when he wakes up from naps and after every meals and reward him when he relieves himself. They wouldn't have so much manipulate over themselves at that age so be very encouraging. In the event you trap him in the act shout to distract him and quickly take him outside so he can finish after which reward him, but don't punish him when you find messes within the residence if he is already completed when you consider that he is not going to join the 2 hobbies. Specifically have persistence! Hope this helps.

Answer 10

If it uses the bathroom inside try 2 use puppy pads.