More Toilet Training Questions

[PeppersMum]

Our 16 week old Powderpuff was going really well with toilet training up until a week ago. Hardly any mistakes and if she was caught and taken outside she would know what to do. We were happy and the carpets were cleaned (not only from that though )

Then it rained and was really windy for a week ... now she is all messed up. I think she was scared of the courtyard during that time and was realy hard to get out and we had lots of mistakes in the house. We would go outside for ages (half hour plus) when she showed signs, and she would shiver against the door then bolt inside and the minute your eyes were off her run and pee in the house. We tried making some cover for her out there but it didn't help.

So now we are trying to train her to go outside again and have some fake grass from bunnings to try and make it more like the grass outside she went on in the rain. As we have a 2 story house we also have a little bit upstairs in a bathroom so she doesn't have to go downstairs if we are upstairs. (We don't mind having her partly inside/fake grass trained.) I was going to buy special treats just for toileting and see if that helps. I am also going to try associating it with a word so she knows what to do if it is wet again.

So, my questions are..

Will it confuse her having 2 places in the house? Can I give her the same treats in both places?

Should I treat and praise her as much when we aren't at home (walking, visiting friends, park) or will she get confused at home?

Thanks ... I really want to get this under control again ASAP!!

[Pep]

You could try re-training on training pads that have an attractant; then gradually work the pads towards the patio door and eventually outside onto the grass. If you have two primary poop locations, then try working the mats slowly towards each other and then a single mat out onto the patio. Although I can't say it worked for my pup who would sniff at the mat then face her butt away from the pad to relieve herself. Others swear by them though so it's just a thought!

You might also like to invest in an enzyme eliminator for when accidents occur inside. S.O.X. works like a treat. Our pup favoured the lounge room until we completely removed all traces of previous accidents with S.O.X. Now she takes herself outside and when the door's closed, will wait until it's opened and go accordingly. She's an 11 week old Lab.

In regards to the rain, I can sympathise. Our girl also had to get use to this new sensation. At one stage she was literally blown away in gale force winds whilst doing a number 2 (she managed to keep one foot on the ground). It was funny for us but obviously unsettling for her. Next time I made sure to pick her up and then gentle drop her forward onto the spot where I wanted her to go - rain or shine - gale force winds or the still of the night; the routine never changed. Each time I would repeat this procedure using the same command:

"Toile! Quick, go toile."

This seemed to do the trick. To get her to do a number 2, I would grab a plastic bag and then make sure she saw me picking up one of her previous deposits - again, rain or shine. I would make a big fuss about it saying how wonderful she was and how happy I was. Not that she understood what I was saying but she could tell from my voice that I was pleased. This time I would say:

"Toile! Quick, go toile. Number 2!"

It surprised me how quickly she got the idea to poop. Each time she made a deposit I would pick it up and congratulate her and give her a small treat. I also made eye contact whilst she was pooping but I didn't speak until she had completely finished. Of course it'll only work if they have a poop to scoop.

Your little one was no doubt frightened by the noise of the storm and the physical sensation of getting wet. The only way to get over this is to introduce the pup to different noise levels and of course water sensations but do it gradually. To mimic rain, try a hand held shower nozzle that fits onto a standard tap. Start with the gentlest of water flows and allow the puppy to play and splash in the laundry or bath tub. If you are worried about water restrictions try attaching the shower hose to your water tank (if you have one that is). As they become accustomed to the sensation you can then increase the water flow to the point where you can run it across the puppy's face without frightening the poor thing. A water can works equally as well and in your case perhaps better, in that you can use it on the grass. Again, it's just a thought!

Edited August 27, 2007 by Pep