How do you stop an 8 week old puppy from urinating on the floor?

Question

We just got him and I really don't want to smack him because he is just a baby yet. He urinates and has his BM's outside, but sometimes he still urinates inside on the floor. He is about the equivalent of a one year old child and I just think that is too young to smack him for doing bad. (I would rather not hit him at all really!) Any other suggestions would be good though.

He is a black lab.

And I have been taking him outside like 5 to 6 times a day.

Answer 1

First of all, have patience. The fact that he's doing so well should be getting him LOTS of praise. After that, make sure you are taking him out lots. Puppies at such a young age need to pee about ever 1/2 an hour. If he is sleeping and wakes up, he has to go out. If he's playing and gets quite, he has to go out. If he drinks water, even a little, about 15-30 minutes later, he'll have to go out. If you aren't crate training, start. This will help immensly. Whatever you do, don't smack your pup. This is way to young an age to assume he will have the potty training issue down pat overnight. Also, if you got your pup from a reputable breeder, they can be your best tool to help you through training. Give them a call or email them to ask for guidance. It's possible they had a system or schedule going that you could stick to and change little by little.

Answer 2

First of all, whether he is a little puppy or a grownup dog, you do not smack him!!! It is great that he is starting to get the idea and is doing some of his business outside, but he is still only 8 weeks old and will make some mistakes. Try to remember how young he is! It could be that he is nervous or if there is any blood in the urine it could be a bladder infection. An infection would cause him to lose control. You probably need to pick up on your cues a little. Take him out immediately when he first wakes up, when he is done eating or drinking a lot, after he has been playing, and after he has been scared by noise or people grabbing at him to pick him up. Also, a little tip I learned from all my reading, and it's true, when you take the pup out to pee, he may go a little immediately, but wait a few minutes before taking him back in. Puppies have the habit of emptying their bladder a little in one spot because they are in a hurry to go, but will go again to empty his bladder when he wants to mark a spot by continuing to pee. After the second time, you are probably safe enough to bring him back in. Praise, praise, praise him outside. If he makes a mistake inside give him a sharp NO (if you catch him doing it, otherwise he will have no idea why you are yelling at him 10 minutes after he did it), but never hit a dog. I believe you would rather not hit him. Hope this helps you!!

Answer 3

The trick is to get to know the signs when he's going to urinate and catch him in the act, or better still, before he does it. Usually when he wakes up he's going to want to go to the toilet so every time he wakes up take him outside. When he does the right thing and urinates when you take him out, make sure you praise him. Make him think he's just done the best thing in the world. A sure sign he's going to urinate is sniffing around the floor. If at any time you think he's going to go, best be safe and take him out. If you catch him in the act don't smack him. Simply in a stern voice say "NO! NAUGHTY BOY", pick him up and take him outside. I know it sounds simple and basic, but really thats all it takes. But you have to be consistent and watch him like a hawk until he gets the idea... A stern "NO" when he does the wrong thing and praise when he does the right thing. Thats the basis of all dog traning not just potty training. But you should never smack. That can lead to agressive behavior or at the very least make your puppy scared and timid. You should also never punish your puppy after the act, only if you catch him in the act. They are like children and have a very short attension span. So if you punish him for something he did wrong 10mins ago you will just confuse him. He won't know what he's getting in trouble for. Have patients with him and remember he's just a baby and he's learning, but if you are consistent with him you will be surprised how quickly he will learn.

Answer 4

Puppies don't have complete sphincter control until they're about 6 months old. You have a tiny baby, expecting him to be housebroken at 8 weeks old is unreasonable. So, get a crate for him if you don't have one, and put him on a schedule: He sleeps in the crate. He'll cry at first, a little lost sleep won't kill you :) As soon as you get up in the morning, take him out, feed him, take him back out, put him in his crate when you can't watch him, make sure he has plenty of time and attention out of the crate, but until he's older, this should be your routine. Always go outside with him to praise him when he goes. Don't punish him if he has accidents - he can't help it!! Look for a book called Mother Knows Best by Carol Lea Benjamin, or e-mail me if you need more help, a complete housebreaking routine is too long to put here.

Answer 5

First get some piddle pads from the pet store. Second if u see him start to pee pick him up real quick and take him to a nearby piddle pad and set him down and make sure he stays there. Third if he pees when ur not watching him put him in a cage and make him stay in there for about and hour and don't look at him or any contact. Say no about a million times so he may catch on to what do means and do that for a while and take him out when u think he may have to go. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Be patient, he is very young, has little control over his bladder and bowels yet. Continue to take him out often and praise like crazy when he goes outside. You could also take a poo pile outside and put it in the area of the yard you would like him to use. Then when he is outside, take him to that spot, he will find the scent himself and eventually get the idea. You could also place some puppy pee pads near the door that he goes out. Show him the pads, and next time he pees in the house, wipe it up with one of the pads and place that pad on the floor. This will help him to get the idea to use one area while in training.

Answer 7

First of all I don't believe in hitting any animal.
I think you will find that your puppy wants to please you.
He doesn't know how until you tell him. Therefore, I believe in positive reinforcements. You should spend a lot of time with a new puppy. This is time well spent. Take him out about 10 min. after he eats, and every time you see him circling or looking for a spot to go. Every time he pees or poops where you want him to go,PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE him. He wants your approval. When he makes a mistake unless you catch him doing it just clean it up. If you fuss he won't know what you are fusing about. If you catch him on the act a firm NO and take him where you want him to go. It won't take long he will be good to go. I think male dogs are easier to train. Mine ring a bell to go out and have done so from a young age. GOOD LUCK!! They will try your patience. Please take the time and do it right. It will be well worth it.

Answer 8

He needs to go outside more often, and you need to supervise better. You can't correct him if you don't catch him in the act. He'll have no idea what you're correcting him for, it'll only serve to make you look scary and unpredictable.

No hitting, again, this is only going to make you look scary.

When you can't be watching him like a hawk he needs to be in his crate. This will help prevent accidents.

When you are watching and you see him signs that he is going to go rush him outside. Stay with him and praise lavishly when he goes, treats help the lesson sink in faster too. If you catch him in the act tell him NO sharply, this will startle him, then take him outside to finish, lavish praise and treats when he does.

For full housetraining details see my article http://www.tiaspetplace.com/housetraining_your_puppy_or_dog.htm

Answer 9

A rule to training puppies is they can hold their bladder for as long as they are old, plus one hour. He is 8 weeks, that is 2 months, he should only be allowed to hold it for up to three hours. He is not equivalent to a one year old. Puppies have a hard time controling their bladders up til six months of age. You need to be more patient and consistent with him. It takes time. If he starts to pee and you catch him, take him right out. When he goes outside, tell him go pee and good dog. Eventually he will catch on if you praise him enough when he is good. He just wants to please you. Just remember...patience!!!

Answer 10

Please don't hit them, it teaches them nothing. Just keep in mind they don't speak English so don't expect them to know what ur saying. Just be patient and consistent. that's the best trick in the book. Keep a constant eye on them and don't let them go into a room u don't wanted peed on(such as carpet) please remember its a baby and ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN! Teach it the correct place to go and clap ur hands loud while firmly saying no if you catch them "going in the wrong place." Absolutely do not punish you dog if u DO NOT CATCH THEM IN THE ACT or they will not understand y they are in trouble. Take them outside if u see them sniffing, its better to be safe than sorry. I know all this b/c I trained my Maltese who just turned one and we just got a dachshund who was 7weeks old when brought her home. This really does work. After being consistent,being vigilant and praising them for going in the correct place you will see improvement in no time! BEST WISHES!!