Potty Training my new puppy?

Question

I just got a new puppy the other day. It is a Jack Russell. It's about fifteen weeks old and it was an outdoor dog. I need to keep it indoor because I'm in an apartment complex. I have read about crate training, about making it sleep in the crate at night. Problem is that it cries loud and I'm afraid the people upstairs can hear it. And if I give it free roam of the house it uses the bathroom everywhere. I need to get it potty trained so it will use the bathroom on the puppy pads I bought for it. How do you get one trained so that they learn they have one spot and one spot only? Any advice on what to do and train my new pup?

Answer 1

Keep it up with the crate, we had the same problem with our lab. They eventually get used to it. And we're in an apartment too. For the first night we got up when she cried and sat in the room with her... only we left the lights off and didn't talk. When she feel asleep we'd go back to bed. Needless to say, it was a long night. But the next night she only woke up twice. And that was it, she's been good at night ever sence. Most people would probably say that's a bad idea, but it really worked and it kept her mostly quiet so she didn't annoy the neighbors.

As for potty training, the puppy pads should only be for accident spots. Take the pup out right after eatting or drinking and walk them till they have to go. Do this all the time! Eventually they'll get used to the outdoors being potty time, not indoors. Put the puppy pads on spots they go to just incase of an accident untill they learn to go outdoors. It may take awhile, it took ours a couple months to completely stop.

Answer 2

First of all, I'd not recommend the puppy pads, unless you really do want him to go indoors. They encourage indoor "potty habits". Actually, since your puppy was kept outside, it is usually a little easier to housebreak, because it is already used to going outside. It will take a lot of patience and you should expect "accidents". It helps to take puppy outside often in the beginning of training and give him a lot of praise when he "goes" outside. When he goes inside, show him what he did, and take him immediately outside. He'll soon get the idea.

Crate training does work because dogs don't like to go "in their bed", but puppies will have accidents. To help with the crying, try a little "crate training". Put him in the crate for short periods of time, then increase the time a little at a time. Make it a pleasant experience (treats, favorite toy, comfy blanket, ect...)

Good luck and enjoy your new puppy

Oh, one more thing, Jack Russells seem to be very active dogs, so expect to have to catch that "I gotta go" look very quickly, because that thought in your puppy's mind won't stay long.

Answer 3

The potty-training theory is simple. After your puppy feeds or drinks anything, take him/her outside and let him/her smell the grass. They will smell the familiar scent of urine from other animals. After you practice this for a while (a few times), the puppy will start to enjoy it. The biggest mistake people make is keeping puppy inside 24 hours a day until they can walk. Try it! thepetmomma

Answer 4

As for the crate,did you try a stuffed animalor a towel/blanket?Sometimes puppies just need something soft to lay with...And the pads all you have to do is get him to do it once and your golden.If he goes on the floor put some of it on the pad and make him sniff it.Afterwards if he goes on the floor tell him NO! and take him back to the pad.It may take a few times but he will get it eventually.Remember to always place the pad in the same area so he won't get confused.Good luck with your new puppy!

Answer 5

You can help the puppy get used to his crate by putting a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel so he stays warm and make sure he has a nice comfortable crate pad so he stays warm all night, that will usually stop the whining.
The puppy will need a large area to use for the bathroom at first until it knows exactly where to go, but in this cae it sounds like you will always want it to go inside, so a litter box may be better. They do make dog sized litter box and special dog litter. You can also buy sprays at the pet store to spray in the litter box so the puppy knows it's supposed to go there. you will have to take the pup to the box every hour until it gets the hang of going there by itself.

Answer 6

At fifteen weeks it's going to be a little harder to train. Consistency is the key. You have to watch him every minute if he is not in his crate. As soon as you think he needs to go, take him to the designated spot. Lots of praise is in order when he does well. It takes alot of diligence on your part, every time he does not go where he's supposed to, it's a step backwards for you. As soon as he wakes up take him to the spot, right after he eats or drinks take him to the designated spot. He'll get it in a few weeks, but you have to be consistent every time.

Also, if he barks in his crate try putting a blanket over it, sometimes it calms them down. Put the crate near you also, that helps them feel more secure.

Good luck

Answer 7

cover the crate with a blanket so it is dark when he goes in at night,,, give him a nice long walk last thing at night before you put him to bed,,, avoid potty pads,, they just teach the dog to go to the bathroom inside the house... bring him outside first thing in morning, after eating, after napping, after playing and every few hours in between... praise him when he potties outside.... are you sure your 15 week old puppy was an outdoor dog?? that doesn't make any sense

Answer 8

About the puppy's cries, and whines, I don't know that you would be able to do much about it. Unless you pay attention to the pup, and I know you can't do that 24-7 even if you tried! But about the training part, I have always heard to put down newspaper and they somehow know to go to that. I suggest keeping the pup in the bathroom with the floor covered in the puppy pads or newspaper until the pup learns that is where he/she does her business! Good Luck!

Answer 9

Every time it whines in the cage, whack the top of the cage and say no, it sounds mean, but it will learn....I did this to my dog and after three nights she was fine now she's three and great...Crate training is the only way this dog won't potty in the house. As soon as you take him out of the crate, bring him out to potty. My dog only stayed in the crate till she was 6 months old, now she sleeps in bed!! Good Luck!

Answer 10

first, put the puppy in a small area, exactly the size of the puppy pad. leave it there til it distinguishes it area. stay in the asme place, but make the area bigger. keep doing that and it should work.