Potty-training.. Oy!?

Question

I have a very small (6 pound) LhasaPoo puppy. A mix between a Lhasa Apso and a Poodle. He's all black, with a little white bib. His name is Bubba.. Although I don't think he knows that. I need help with potty-training him.. He just doesn't get it! He's had a few accidents, because of careless behaviour on my part.. But I'm seriously trying to train him now.. He just doesn't understand. In the car, when he's in his taxi he gets it perfectly and barks when he has to 'go'.. But when he's inside, he just 'goes'.. Doesn't bother to let us know. I've tried to 'watch for signs' such as sniffing and ect, but he doesn't give much warning! What's the best way? I tried crate training, but he hates the wire crate.. Because we have two cats and when he sees them he wants to go play.. Then he barks. His bark is a yippy lil thing.. And it gets ANNOYING! I don't want to put him in a secluded area 'cause I'll feel bad for him. Please, give me your advice!

I have tried puppy mats, but we really don't want him to think it's 'ok' to go inside. Also, we tried that with our last dog, and it did not work at all unfortunately. After the pad was moved, he kept going where it used to be! And also, he doesn't go anywhere specific, just wherever he is. He's not picky lol.. And, another worry, I've heard of dogs who're puppy-pad trained, and then whenever you drop like a paper or something on the floor, they pee on it!!

D M! I have a reply to your comment: My dog has absolutely no clue what 'nono' means! I will scold him, and say "NO NO!" and he doesn't get it! His tail begins wagging and he thinks I'm 'playing'!!!!! I've tried swatting him, but he STILL thinks I'm playing! Am I not being stern enough? But how much more stern could I be without screaming at him? And I don't want to do that!!

Answer 1

Go back to step one of potty training, every couple of hours take him out and give praise when he gos potty, pick up water and food at or about 6 pm, this will help you with the training. Place a bell a bell everyone in the hose can hear, go to a hobby store to get this,.. down low enough for Bubba to ring, walk Bubba through what you want him to do, go to the door, ring bell give praise, outside let Bubba go potty back in the house and give a small treat, keep this up till you have Bubba back on track.This will take as long as it will take. Wish you luck, Bubba will get the hang of this. The key is praise.

Answer 2

I wrote this answer for a similar question for a puppy, but it's a universal concept and can be adjusted for older dogs as well.

Dogs that are not housebroken can get distracted if left to go out on their own. Bugs, birds, interesting things to smell, etc. You can help though. When you take her out always go with her. You can put her on a leash so she doesn't become too distracted and give her the command potty or whetever word you prefer and praise her when she goes. It helps also if you can walk her to the same area she's already gone..if she smells it it will help remind her she has to go. At this point I'd bring her right back inside. Matter of fact until she's completely housebroke I'd restrict outdoors to relieving herself so it's easier for her to understand that outdoors has a specific purpose in her life. It means this is her area to relieve herself. Indoors you have to be extremely vigilant in watching her. She will have accidents..so expect them and be prepaired. The more you consistantly catch her in the act the faster she will learn and the better YOU do this job the faster she learns. When you see her start to squat say loudly and firmly NO! then pick her up and take her right out the door. Don't get mean about it. No hitting or nose rubbing, rolled up newspapers or anything of the sort. Don't say too many words that will confuse her. Simply say NO! and take her out. When she relieves herself outside praise her and bring her back in, but only after the mess is cleaned up. An easy solution you can make at home for clean ups is 1/4 c vinegar in a half pail of water, or you can buy the enzyme cleaners, but you don't want her to smell where she's been. And remember, dogs smell much better than us. Just because you don't smell it doesn't mean she won't be able to. Keep at this, be vigilant and consistant and she will be housebroke soon. I've had puppies learn this in as little as two weeks, but I've also had it take as long as four months. But the biggest mistake you can make is rushing it. Let her learn at her pace, remember she's doing the best she can and NEVER consider her reliable until she's gone at least a whole month 'accident' free. If you stop your vigilant watching too soon and get lax when she's not had an accident, that will only be a big set back. So keep on it. The better you do this the sooner you can forget it and move onto other things. And consider getting a wire crate. There are times when you won't be able to watch her so closely and confining her in a crate at those times is a good idea. I honestly don't know what I'd do if I couldn't use a crate for training lol. They are a life saver and she will soon come to think of it as her den. The crate for your size dog is small and easily moved. So feel free to move it from room to room, and be sure to allow time in confined areas (while you can watch) with the crate door left open.

Good luck and I hope this helps :)

Answer 3

You could try taking him out after every meal, nap, play time, and every 45 minutes to an hour if needed. My cousin's Chihuahua puppy is being house trained this way and he's picking it up fairly quickly. Although he doesn't bark or anything to let anyone know he has to go, he's taken out at the times I listed above and when he acts like he needs to go such as pacing or not wanting to go upstairs or a different room. He goes outside when someone bring him out, but he still has accidents indoors when no one is watching, someone doesn't remember to take him out or he's brought into the house before he's finished doing his business outside. If he doesn't like the wire crate, try getting him one that isn't wire. Puppies should be supervised whenever they're not confined to an area. They are so rambunctious and get into EVERYTHING. If you watch him, and he does go on the floor, you can correct him and bring him outdoors.

Answer 4

You could try putting a cover or sheet over the crate. We have crate trained our dogs in what i think you're calling a 'pet taxi', which may seem small, but they're fine with it. When he goes inside tell him "No No!" and get him outside as quickly as you can. When he goes outside tell him "Good boy!" praise him, and give him a treat. This will reinforce that outside potty is good, and inside is bad. Don't feel bad if you put him in a secluded area, if he has his own space it'll become 'his' space. Good luck!

Answer 5

hmmmm have you tried training mats for dogs? they are attracted to the smell or something like that... and they go on the mat.... eventually you keep moving it closer and closer the the door... then outside to where his "designated peeing area" will be.... and about the crate..... try using the plastic walled ones... they've still got little holes in the side and the front door of it is wire but the side and back is plastic

Answer 6

well you could put newspaper down where he usually does the toilet and slowly work your way to the door, and when he does do it outside give him lot and lots of praise.If you catch him in the act you should quickly pick him up and take him outside then give him praise when he's outside, even if he has stopped doing the toilet by this time.I know this could make a bit of a mess picking her up but it would be worth it in the end.

Answer 7

Start your house training again and put yourself out this time!