I just got a 5 month old pug/havenese mix yesterday...he isnt potty trained...and i need help?

Question

I am trying to teach him to go outside, and if he really really has to go inside then to use the disposable potty mats I bought(for like if i go out or when we are sleeping.) I am considering getting a crate, but that only works for when I am gone. He still uses the floor, when I am here. He had no training what-so-ever!! I never had a dog before so I need help! I dont want to confuse him or yell at him or anything, but he needs to learn.

Answer 1

Use a kennel. I know people say that it's mean to use kennels but it's either that or have a doggie potty smelling house. Bring the puppy outside often and always to the same small spot. Don't go in till the puppy goes potty. If you can't wait the puppy should go into the kennel so it don't potty on the floor. Try again in 15-30 minutes again. if the puppy goes outside it shouldn't go potty in the house and can have free run of the place for a few hours.

Answer 2

Make sure you let him outside very regularly (always to the same place)- so he has less of a chance to go in the house. Reward him when him when he goes outside. Make sure you clean up thoroughly when he goes inside, so the smell doesn't stay (which would encourage him to use the same place again). And good luck- pugs are notoriously difficult to housebreak.

Answer 3

I think you may be a bit confused about crate training. It is NOT cruel to put your dog in a crate and crate train it! A dog sees their crate as their personal "den" and their private little space. Be sure your crate is the correct size for your adult sized dog. Your dog should be able to stand up and turn around comfortably in the crate. To begin house training, tie some bells to the door you will regularly take the dog out by and show the dog how to ring them with either its nose or paws. This teaches your dog how to alert you that it needs to go outside. The first time you show your dog how to ring the bells, in an excited voice, say "Yes! Go hurry up" or what ever word you want to use to signify going potty, and immediately take your dog outside on a leash and stay with it until it either pees or poops. As soon as the puppy either pees or poops, again in an excited voice say, "Yes, good hurry up", and praise your puppy like crazy, giving your pup a treat immediately! If your dog hasn't pottied within 10 minutes, bring it back inside and back into the crate. Your puppy will alert you by either barking or whining that it needs to go outside, so when you hear your dog doing either of those things, immediately bring it outside again. Be sure to feed your dog at the same times every day which will help you regulate its system and make it easier to house train him. Monitor the amount of water your puppy drinks and as soon as you see your puppy drinking water, take him outside again. A puppy can't hold its bladder very long, so take him outside at least every hour. Be sure you have no blankets, pillows, puppy pads, newspapers, etc on the floor of the crate, and just use a dog bed made to fit the bottom of the crate as your pup's bedding. If you want to keep your puppy with you while he is out of the crate, tie your puppy to you and when you notice your puppy sniffing the floor or going in circles looking for some place to potty, immediately take him outside again. If your puppy should have an accident in the house, don't yell at it or punish it, but clean up the mess when your puppy is out of the room and out of your sight. Your puppy will quickly learn how to please you by going to the potty outside if you praise it and give it treats as an award when your pup does go potty outside. Dogs only want to please us and when they see they have pleased you, they want to continue that behavior, and you will soon have a house broken dog. I got my puppy when he was 9 weeks old and used this method to house train him. He was completely house trained within 10-14 days, with only the occassional accident. Now that he is older, he still uses his crate, has never soiled it and has had no accidents in the house at all. If you have any other questions about house training your puppy, I would happy to help you if you email me directly. Good luck, enjoy your puppy, and have fun!