I need your suggestions, please!?

Question

I need some suggestions on how to train my puppy to pee on newspaper, or suggestions on something else to use.

Here’s my story: We used to keep her closed in her crate with blankets while we were gone, but she would pee on those (she couldn't hold it long enough, she's only 4 months old). It was really hard constantly washing blankets and towels that were soaked in pee every day, our bills were getting outrageous from the amount of laundry we had to do.

We recently moved her crate to the kitchen and put her bed inside of it and leave the door of the crate open (the kitchen is gated off) so that she can go in and out of her crate to play/move around a bit. She has started to pee on the tile, outside the crate instead. I put newspaper down a few times, but came home to find it shredded all over the place every day, so I stopped that. That mess was even worse!

I know that she understands not to pee in her crate, and she won't if she can help it (like I said, she just couldn't hold it long enough, so she would have to pee in her crate…when we are home, she is perfect at letting us know when she has to go potty and doesn’t have accidents.) But, she doesn’t seem to understand that the newspaper is for going potty on, not destroying. If I use towels, I am back to my original problem with all the laundry. I don’t mind having to mop up the pee from the tile, but she pees in front of our dishwasher, and it leaks under and I can’t clean under there, and our house is older, so there are lots of little cracks everywhere for the pee to soak into…yuck!

We have her trained to go potty outside when we are home, now how can I train her that the newspaper is to go potty on when we are not home (is that even possible? Double housebreaking?)

Or, what have you guys found to be useful? I know they sell those puppy pads, but I also don’t want to have to spend outrageous amounts on something for her to pee on, if I don’t have to. It seems like there has to be another solution out there!

Help!

I should add, we don’t leave her water or food dish out all day either. She gets fed in the morning before we leave to work, then taken to go potty before we leave.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Go to any pet store and even Wal-Mart and get some Puppy Pads they are not that expensive and come in huge bags. They have a scent on them that lets the puppy know that is where you potty they work great! The pet stores also have puppy pad holders that will hold the pad in place and make it really hard for the pup to tear it up. By the way your puppy needs fresh water down all the time, being a puppy means they are going to play alot and you need to make sure they are hydrated.

Answer 2

You can try using some newspaper to sop up her urine the next time she eliminates, then put that down for her to use. Her scent should hopefully hint at what she is supposed to do, and my prevent her from ripping the papers apart.

You might also start with pee pads (there are trays you can clip them on so that she doesn't shred those, too). When she is using them regularly, lay a piece of newspaper on top of the pad while you are home. Do it while you are home at first so that you can prevent her from tearing up the newspaper.

Another option is to use an exercise pen to keep her restricted to one part of the kitchen and just let her go on the floor there, away from the dishwasher. This may be the best option if you eventually want her to only eliminate outdoors. It can be tough to break the habit when you start out providing someplace indoors for elimination.

Answer 3

Try puppy training pads, and make sure she has something to chew on, toys or bones to keep her from chewing on the pads. Also it may be a good idea to try to go on a break from work to let her out once during the day or see if maybe a neighbor could do it for you. She could be upset about being alone all day and telling you so by chewing up the news paper and peeing on the floor. If all else fails, try consulting a dog trainer...