Dog training question...?

Question

We have successfully (sort of) trained our new 12-week old puppy to lay in his bed when told to "lay down". He stays there, usually, until we tell him he can get out. We accomplished this in less than 2 hours, so we're happy.

Now, how do we train him to let us know when he has to go outside? He (usually) stays in his bed unless told otherwise, but we now want him to let us know when it's bathroom time. Any suggestions? The dog I had as a child would do this, but I can't remember how we did it.

Answer 1

Put a small bell on the wall near the door, and chime it every time you take him outside to go potty. Also, reward the dog every time he relieves himself outside. That way, he'll associate ringing the bell with going potty outside and getting a treat.

Be careful NOT to ring the bell when you take him outside to play, though, or he'll drive you nuts ringing the bell to go out and play all the time.

Answer 2

Just take him outside on a leash every few hours for a few weeks. Otherwise, keep him in kennel or be playing with him
and watching him. Soon he will associate going outside
with taking care of all that stuff. The bell thing may be OK, for
some, but the dog may begin to use it just to go outside and
play rather than for genuine business. No harm, just take
down the bell if so. Also, soon you'll be able to tell just by
looking at your dog, so it really won't be a problem unless the
dog gets sick. If there is an accident in the house, just quickly
take the dog outside while someone else cleans it thoroughly.
I don't know how important it is for the dog, but the baking soda thing helps alot to get rid of odors and is very cheap compared to the commercial things marketed to pet owners.

Answer 3

With some work in a short period of time you can resolve the bathroom issue. You just take him outside - frequently - at some point he will pee (or poop). Be very enthusiastic about it! Keep this up. A 12 week old peeing in the house or otherwise, is about bladder and nothing more so do not under any circumstances get upset or visibly angry with your pet. You have to indicate to him a command for outside and then be consistent with it. Keep taking him outside and when he goes, get very excited and show him how pleased you are. It will only take a few days for him to realize the routine of going out and going to the bathroom.

Answer 4

Well it's all about consistency, first buy those puppy "diapers" you put on the floor (it has a smell that will make him "go" there), put several around the house if needed.
A puppy will "need to go" after eating, playing, waking up, pretty much after any activity. What me and my husband did is (we took turns) the schedule we created was: early morning, right after coming back from work and at night (twice if needed) on the weekend (since we were home more hours) we took him out when ever he did any of the activities that I mentioned above. It probably took him 1 month when he started to whine to go out, and he decided the diapers where no longer needed when he started shredding them in pieces. Oh, make sure you get the "diapers" that have self-adhesive... I hope this helps! Good luck and remember CONSISTENCY!!! that's the word!

Answer 5

The short version;
Every dog has his/her "signals" that they need to go outside. (circling, sniffing, etc.) With young dogs you have to always be watching for these signals so that as soon as you see them you can quickly pick up the dog and take him/her to the designated potty spot. Give lots of praise and a treat when his job is done, eventually the dog will begin to go to the door on his own that you were using to go outside for these potty sessions.

Repetition is key; everyone in your house should use the same spot and the same encouraging words when it is potty time.

In the end, your dog will not want to "go" where it sleeps, you've just got to be watching for these signals your dog gives that he needs to go out, and reinforce the words you use when taking him to his spot.

Repetition, repetition, repetition, repeat.
Good luck!

P.S. Snoopy is right about teaching the dog to go at specific times, but this is something to work on when the dog matures and is able to "hold it" for 3-4 hours between potty breaks. Young puppies will go much more frequently and just have to be let out whenever they need until they are a bit older.

Answer 6

I've used puppy training pads and they do wonders. It may take a few days but they work. And when the puppy does go outside give it a treat, try to make it a big deal to go outside make it think it's something exciting. It may drive you crazy at first because when the puppy gets the hang of it, that's all it's going to want to do.

Answer 7

Usually hte more you walk a dog htey get the idea. Or if you see him sniffing around like he needs to go tek him out immediately. If he has an accidnet inside firmly tell him NO. Not in a lound tone but in a very firm voice, what i also do is put my finger on his nose when i say no, and take him to the spot he had his accident then put him in the yard for a few hours, if its not too hot.

Answer 8

we used puppy training mats, or newspaper placed near the door and he would go there and use them then one day we got rid of them but watched for him going to the door then we would put him outside and stay outside with him until he had done what he needed then praised him lots and yes, it took a while and we had a few accidents but he's now 6 months old and he goes to the door and whines to let us know when he needs to go bathroom.

Answer 9

My answer isn't exactly what your question asks, but here's my suggestion. Don't let the dog train you to when he wants to go out, you train him on when he can. Based on your schedule(s), take the dog out at specific times. Before you go to work. When you get home. Before Bed. He will adapt to your schedule.

The reason I don't recommend letting him tell you when he has to go out is because smart dogs can abuse that. Our dogs were trained to go to the door when they needed to go outside. Now, they've figured out if they want to go run and play outside, they can go whine at the door and someone will get up.... Leaving us in the unfortunate situation of not knowing if they need to go out, or just want to play outside.

Answer 10

Try hanging a bell on the inside of the front door. Show him the bell, and encourage him to push the bell with his nose or paw when he has to go outside. I did it, and my dog lets me know whenever he needs to go out. It actually works!