Can u help with my dog's bathroom training?

Question

She is an 8 mo. old lab mix and she was paper trained by the foster family. We are having a hard time getting her to realize that she isn't to go on the floor. We have verbally given her our displeasure when she wets and moves her bowels on the floor. She seems to know she did wrong, but we can't seem to break her. When she does well, we reward her with treats and praise. We cannot afford formal training, so we are not sure where we are going wrong. We had a dog before and she seemed to get trained pretty quick. Our schedule has been scattered(which I see as a problem)but now everyone is back on track. She will be crate trained during the day, so I have to assume that will regulate her trips outside? She also gets very distracted by everything outside and forgets why she is outside. We live in an apartment house, so isolation is a problem. She is still also very hyper. Am I asking too much of an 8 mo. old dog?? HELP! Serious answers only please. Thank you

Vet said crate training was fine. It did very well with my first lab mix. Vet told me to pull up paper immediately. Cannot bring paper closer to the door with wall to wall carpeting. We play with her in the morning and at night. Schedule and routine seems to be kicking in already. Using Natures Miracle to get rid of odors and stains. Renting is no fun when training a dog esp will all the distractions.

And I hate paper training. The foster home did that.

She is on Nutro products since Science Diet is crap. She gets treats when she does well and none when she doesn't. She is spayed.

Answer 1

That's the problem when people train their dogs to pee inside and now you're suffering for it. This puppy has to be re-trained right from the beginning. The good part is because she's 8 months old, she has control and the training will be much quicker.

You need to keep her in the room with you so you can watch her (I'm obviously talking about when you're home, crate training is totally different). Take her out after a long drink, hard playing, a long nap or if she starts to act a little restless, like she's looking for somewhere to go. You need to go out with her and give her lots and lots of praise the split second she pees, then come right back in. That way she learns to differentiate between play time outside and potty time.

The idea is that you give her lots of praise for correct behaviour and don't give her the chance to make a mistake. Dogs learn very quickly with praise rather than corrections because they like to please. You're also establishing a trusting relationship with this dog which will carry over into other training. One other thing, you need to make sure you get rid of all the smells from where she's gone because it's natural for her to go back there if she can smell it.

As for her being hyper, she's 8 months old! Give her lots of walks, a long walk twice a day would be great, play ball or frisbee, you'll tire her out and she'll be much calmer in the house.

Answer 2

Paper trained is wrong from the beginning, Dogs should be trained to go outside from the beginning, not paper, not crates for sure especially a dog that size! Start taking the dog outside first thing in the morning and in a piticular place, and make it fun for the dog after it goes! Then about 15 or 20 minutes after it eats.outside again. Always have fresh water for it. Feed it the same time every day, and outsside as well, a regular schedule, and take it out just for fun. These dogs need allot of excercise or you will have chewing problems. Never relate accidents in the house of being bad because it will then be afraid to tell you it has to go out. When you take the dog out, say in a friendly voice, and a voice to make it excited, do you have to go out? Do you have to do business?? then say OK and kinda play quickly with his ears flop them around gently, and say, lets go! and the dog will take to this so fast, within a week. Don't put a dog that size in a crate! The dog will he hyperactive and chew until it is 1 and a half years old so have plenty of toys to chew, large raw hides etc. many walks and Praise when it goes! Oh they like that and will be eager to please you. So get busy, train that dog, and remember accidents do happen and animals can't hold them selves when they have to go to the bathroom. Use quality food, like Iams and use canned mixed with dry, that way, all will be healthy and no diareah etc. That dog should have been trained long ago, if any other questions, tell the vet what happened and he or she will have a manuel for you that will help. You really need to throw that crate away, this will make that dog do wrong out of depression so you all are back on track you say? Now, regular trips outside and eating the right times, take food away after supper and leave only water, and take it out before retiring for the night. Remember, it will be ready first thing in the morning, like between 5 or 6 until it gets older. After it gets about 2 years, that dog will automatically calm down. It is their nature. really, they are good dogs, but no crate, that is wrong for a lab. One more thing, don't let it sleep in the bedroom with anyone. You really need a good dog book or manual. Don't lose your temper either. And neuter/ spay it. Good Luck.

Answer 3

well when I got my husky, I totally disgarded going on the newspaper on the floor and took her straight outside on the leash. it is hard but can be done. Usually a dog that young goes almost every 2 hours. I suggest once someone wakes up whether it be at 3 or 4 in the morning to use the restroom, then take the dog outside to go as well. If no one gets up in the middle of the night, the first person who does get up in the morning take the dog out right then. LIke I said every 2 hours a puppy has to go. When the puppy goes on the floor, as much as it hurts to say this, disipline her, tell her no pee on the floor. She will get used to it. My husky is almost 2 years old now and every night at 10 p.m. I still take her out to go. She got really good at holding it in till 5 am the next day. It will take dedication and many trips outdoors but it can be done. Good luck.

Answer 4

Lab's are wonderful , usually intelligent animal's . Consistancy is the key to training her. As soon as she has finished eating take her out and don't go back in until she takes care of business. Praise her strongly, act as if she just did the most wonderful thing you wanted her to. You are her God and all she want's to do is please you. The scattered lack of a good schedule I'm sure caused her to be confused. Give her lot's of time and love and it will be well worth the effort. When she messes up in the house, scold her and take her out right then and praise, praise, praise, when she goes where you want her to.

Answer 5

DO NOT give verbal displeasure. EVER!!!!!! Take the puppy outside every 2-3 hours, immediatly after eating, and at bedtime. She will learn where to go. As for being "hyper", exercise her. Labs LOVE to swim. I think you are asking too much.

Answer 6

Crate train during the day, and walk on a leash in morning and evening. Don't just stand around waiting for her to pee, but really walk with her. She'll get it.

Answer 7

OK try this it will work,put paper down for her to pee on and slowly over days move it nearer and nearer to the door till eventually its outside,then when she is outside make the paper smaller and smaller this is what we did with my mums dog i don't believe in learning a dog to go on paper,it just creates problems like this

Answer 8

Make a big fuss when she goes when she's suposed to, and don't pay any attention to her at all when she goes where she's not supposed to