Puppy Training - Elm Grove,WI

Updated on January 14, 2011
P.S. asks from Elm Grove, WI
6 answers

We have had our "teddy bear" puppy for two months now and are having a hard time training her. For the most part she pees outside with just an occasional accident in the house, but she poops in the house all the time. We can take her out, spend 20-30 minutes out there with her, and she will hide and poop in the house when we come in. This is not the first time I've trained a puppy, but I just don't know what to do with her anymore. She's small, only 6 pounds, so it's easy for her to hide. We do keep her confined (in an old pack and play lol) but also let her run around the house often. When we take her out we go with her and she's on a leash. I really could use some ideas from all you great moms out there. We're in Wisconsin so it's cold and snowy right now so not easy to tie her out or be out there for long.
Just to add, she's six months old now.

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So What Happened?

Thank you for the advice so far. I just want to add that she does go in her crate at night and when we're not home. She likes it, even goes in there on her own at times. She cries at the door when she wants to go out and I always take her and she pees. She just won't poop out there no matter how long or how many times we go out. On the few occasions she did poop outside I ALWAYS praise her and give her a small treat. I never punish her for going in the house. It's not possible to take her out as often as some suggested, I watch my grandchildren during the day (1 year, 2 years and sometimes a 5 year old) and I can't leave them in the house alone for too long. Since it's winter I can't take them all out with me, it would take way too long to bundle them all up! I do take her out at least every two hours and after she eats. The food is always available to her when she's not in the crate or pack and play since the breeder suggested we need to do this because she's a toy breed. We also have a 10 year old dog who needs her food available at all times or she won't eat. (she's underweight and need this) I know most people don't believe in this, but we've had four dogs and have always left food out at all times, none of them overate and all were very healthy and good mannered. They also trained very easily, this one just is giving me a hard time. I will try giving her less freedom and keep her close to me, hopefully that will work. It seems that she just doesn't want to poop when someone is watching, which is hard when she's on the leash. Maybe I'll try a longer leash, I can't leave her out there alone, especially at night, since there are some wild animals around here. Again, thank you for the advice, we'll just keep working at it, she'll get it sooner or later. Hopefully sooner :)

More Answers

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C.A.

answers from Atlanta on

The biggest problem that I see is leaving the dog unsupervised. You can't do it and you can't correct the dog once he/she has already done the deed. That dog has to be by your side at ALL times with you watching it. If you need to get some things accomplished then the best option is to crate him/her. You don't say how old the puppy is but puppies usually need to be taken out every 30 minutes. Especially after they eat or drink.
The way I trained my Dalmatian was to have him by my side at all times. Hook a leash to your waist or whatever is most comfortable so that the puppy only has a certain perimeter and you can keep an eye on him/her at ALL times. If he/she begins to poop or pee you already have them hooked to the leash and you gently tug on the leash attached to their collar telling them NO! No! No! I always added You go poop/pee pee outside! You say this to them the entire time while getting them to the specified door to go outside. Once they "go" outside be sure to praise that behavior~ also make sure you are taking the dog outside the same exact door each and everytime. If you are using multiple doors-it can be confusing. Writing out a schedule can be helpful for you as well so that you understand and know what your Dog's routine is-eventually the dog's routine can get on your level but its going to be awhile before that happens. Oops I just saw the age-yeah she is still just a baby so that control isn't there yet because everything is still so small! Take her out every 30-45 minutes and keep her leashed up to you at all times and watching her like a hawk! You are giving her free range of your home-she hasn't earned that right yet. If you can't have her tied up to you because you need to get something accomplished and cannot watch her then you need to crate her. I would suggest doing it now rather than later. If you need advice on how to crate train her just PM me or look online there are some really great forums on that and its not mean.....dogs in the wild run in packs and will have a "den". Have you ever noticed with a dog that hasn't been crate trained usually has a certain "spot" like under a certain table or under a certain bed, etc......they have created their "den". Their sanctuary, their "home". so its not cruel or mean to crate them-the biggest thing is to make it a positive thing for her-not as a punishment. Also by you attaching the dog to you and follow you around will create a bond and will show the dog who really is the alpha male of the pack-which is you. Good Luck but be patient-she will get it! Being consistant is the key here as well as direct supervision at ALL times-it won't always have to be that way just for right now. This too shall pass.....

4 moms found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Great responses so far, but I would add:
How are you feeding her? Most techniques require that you remove the food after a set period of time, even if they haven't eaten. That way you (the alpha) are in control of when/how much the puppy eats and THEY KNOW IT. After you put her food down and she eats, within about 10 minutes (or less, depending... you know her habits right?) you need to take her outside... then, you need to give her a command to go poop. It can be anything you want it to be. We use the words "Hurry up."
Once your puppy begins the act of squatting (either for pee or poop, doesn't matter) immediately start using praising words (good girl, that's a girl, good puppy, whatever you choose). Don't distract her from what she is doing, but soft calming praise. When she is done with the act, then you can pet her and continue praising her.
Do this EVERY TIME she eats, or every time you see her 'go' outside. In a VERY short time she should start to associate your "command" words with the act and it will be her cue to go potty.

Cash_twins is correct. They will not associate any punishment (whether it be a mean look, harsh words, or the horrid rubbing their face in it method) with going poop in the house as being bad. All they will get is that you are upset with them and have NO CLUE as to why. If she is attached to you (GREAT method btw) on a leash, and you notice she starts to act like she needs to "go"... scoop her up and rush outside with her. Put her down and give the "command" words. If you don't get to her in time you must catch her IN THE ACT and tell her "no." Then mid act get her outside. Then praise praise praise outside. There is no point in saying anything or being upset with her if you are late and don't catch her IN THE ACT.
This is also important: When you go to clean up the accidents, do NOT let the dog SEE YOU do it. Put them in their crate or somewhere where they do not see you clean up after them. It really does matter in their hierarchy training. You need to be alpha... not the maid.

Good luck. Puppy training is a lot of hard work, but it doesn't really take that long. Before you know it she will be trained and be such a wonderful addition to your family. Like a baby, all the work of it will fade from your memory.

p.s. Echo the crate training. Read up on it. It is a fantastic method. She needs to be crated when you are not interacting with her. Especially at night. And keep the crate (at night) in your room near your bed. She will not whine and cry all night. She just wants to be near you in your 'den' and she will be if you put the crate in your room with you. Most dogs like it if you drape an old blanket or sheet over part of the crate to make it seem more closed in.

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D.K.

answers from State College on

When you go outside you are right to keep her on leash. Try taking her outside for about 5 minutes instead of 20-30 when she has eaten recently and you know she needs to poop. Take her to the same area every time and no playtime unless she goes. If she goes lots of praise, petting, cookies, anything that is a great reward to her. If she does not go, back inside for a couple of minutes, keeping her in sight or in her pack n play and after about 2-5 minutes, back outside you both go. Once she does go spend a little extra time outside with her if she likes being outside. Some dogs learn that as soon as they go they go back inside and if they like to stay outside they just won't go for as long as possible. Sometimes they aren't focused on the task at hand outside and have better things to do and forgot to go. Also until she has gone outside, I would go with no free play. I ignore any accidents in the house and just clean them up (any attention is a reward to the dog) and tons of praise outside. If you see her about to go inside just pick her up and outside as quick as possible so she can go outside.

One other thing, if she is loose does she have a way to let you know she wants to go outside? Walking near the door, looking at you and the door, ringing a bell, etc. Sometimes they let you know, but it isn't easy to catch the signal. It sounds like you are doing a good job and you have done it before, so hopefully she will catch on soon. Enjoy puppyhood!

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B.

answers from Augusta on

you need to crate train her.
Put her in a crate when she isn't being watched.
Take her out about 20-30 mins after she eats. Praise her like crazy when she goes.
Puppies are just like babies they have cues. Watch for her cues, when she starts to sniff round like she's looking for some thing take her out.
but the most important thing is keep her crated when you aren't specifically watching her. This will eliminate a lot of the accidents.

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K.M.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Wow, Cash _twins really covered it all. I was just going to add that there's a book out there called "How to Housetrain your Dog in Seven Days," or maybe it was "housebreak," I can't remember. But it's a real short book, well-written, on crate-training. Also, I did find it helpful to attach my dog to me with a leash. She learned that her place was by my side, and it really did help me build a bond with her while simultaneously preventing her from getting into any trouble.

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A.C.

answers from Columbus on

First, when she is not with you (and you have to be paying attention, LOL), she is in a crate. And the crate needs to be appropriately sized for her size dog---a Pack & Play is way to big.

Second, when she's in the house with you, she's on a short leash at all times, and the leash is attached to you; keep a close eye on her (I know, I know, it's one more thing to divide your attention). If she tries to go off to poop, you'll have a chance to stop in before or in the act, and not find out after the fact.

Lastly, feed her 1 meal per day (and set it down & give her 15 to 20 min max to finish it, then take it away), and take her outside about 15 to 20 minutes after eating, (which is approximately when she'll start feeling the urge to go, as a natural reflex of taking in food). Keep her out there, preferably walking around a bit, on the leash, until she goes. If she does not go, put her in her crate (again, a crate her size, not the pack & play), and take her out again in half hour or hour later, and keep doing it until she goes.

Unfortunately, going inside is a hard habit to break, sometimes....

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