Toilet Training Going Downhill

[Angelblaze112]

So my little Tayla is now 17 weeks old. I have always trained her to go outside since i first got her at 8 weeks. She has been doing great, and will holds on all night until I get her up in the morning or she gets me up.

First of all ill explain a few things. Tayla has her own room, she sleeps in our spare room ensuite. I work during the day and this is where she stays during the day until she is a little bit bigger and can stay in the backyard during the day while I am at work. She does go wees during the day as I am gone for too long so she cant hold on which is fine, i just have paper down for that but whenever I am home and on the weekends I always take her outside.

When I get home I take Tayla out to the toilet, play with her in the backyard for a bit and then cook dinner, etc, while she is running around the house and doing her thing, causing mischief as all puppies do! I take her out to go to the toilet every 45-60 minutes. Now I have been finding little suprises over the house! She is taken out enough (I Believe) and I dont know why she is doing it. I clean them up properly and disinfect the area so there is no smell left, and its not like she is going in the same spot everytime, they can sometimes be in the hall or lounge, luckily we have tiles throughout most of the house.

I dont know what to do to stop this. If i dont see her how do it, can I? Please help me guys im at a loss as to how I can stop it!

Edited September 13, 2007 by Angelblaze112

[schnauzer_luv]

Hi Angelblaze,

if she is going everywhere and anywhere could it be that she is sooo excited to have you home that she doesn't want to leave the house in case you're gone again so just does her business wherever she is at the time?

I'm no expert but maybe you could contain her within your sight range when you have stuff to do so that if she is going to go you can shift her outside. Its almost impossible to make changes if you cant catch her in the act. Also if you take her every hour or so and she doesn't go, I'd keep trying every 15 mins after that until she does. It's a pain going so often but it certainly does stop weeing in the house She has a one room den all day and then when the whole house is opened up to her it perhaps becomes a little bit confusing.

My pup is 11 weeks and he is always confined to the same area as me if I cant watch him like a hawk...e.g. dinner time. Sure enough, if he suddenly becomes quiet or tries to leave the confined area he usually needs to wee, works like a charm.

Good Luck! I hope this helps a little.

[Riley'n'Mia]

Hi Angelblaze,

if she is going everywhere and anywhere could it be that she is sooo excited to have you home that she doesn't want to leave the house in case you're gone again so just does her business wherever she is at the time?

I'm no expert but maybe you could contain her within your sight range when you have stuff to do so that if she is going to go you can shift her outside. Its almost impossible to make changes if you cant catch her in the act. Also if you take her every hour or so and she doesn't go, I'd keep trying every 15 mins after that until she does. It's a pain going so often but it certainly does stop weeing in the house She has a one room den all day and then when the whole house is opened up to her it perhaps becomes a little bit confusing.

My pup is 11 weeks and he is always confined to the same area as me if I cant watch him like a hawk...e.g. dinner time. Sure enough, if he suddenly becomes quiet or tries to leave the confined area he usually needs to wee, works like a charm.

Good Luck! I hope this helps a little.

I have an 11½ week old GS male and he is doing a similar thing he stays outside during the day whilst I am at work and generally wees on command when I take him out when I am home, however, he tends in the evenings to happily go outside for a drink (we leave the backdoor open a little so he can go out whenever he wants) but will come back inside and at least two times a week wee in a different place in the house each time (he has just started walking and weeing at the same time leaving trails as he goes) !!!!!! I have spoken to the teachers at puppy preschool about this and they said that it's probably just that he doesn't want to leave myself and my OH as he's so excited that we're home. They suggested the same thing as schnauzer_luv just be persistent and keep taking him out more often every 20 mins or so if required and shower him with praise and affection when he does go outside. Apparently eventually (by 6 months) he'll figure it out, he too holds on all night and wakes us about 5.50 am to go every day.

[MolassesLass]

If the pup is allowed to eliminate in the house at any time, the pup will believe they can eliminate in the house every time. Dogs can't grasp the concept of inconsistency like we can and your pup just doesn't understand that you have no problem with inside toileting some times and not others.

Can you make (or buy) a small pen that the pup can be outdoors in while you are at work? It has to be larger than a crate you would use as the pup needs enough room to be able to eliminate without encroaching on it's natural cleanliness (that is, to not toilet where the dog sleeps or eats).

If you can't do that then I think you will need to place paper all the time and teach the dog to toilet on the paper all the time. When you are ready to have your dog outside then you will need to retrain to toilet outside. This isn't the best solution IMO.

Apparently eventually (by 6 months) he'll figure it out, he too holds on all night and wakes us about 5.50 am to go every day.

While most dogs would have figured it out with appropriate training by 6 months of age, it's not a given so don't bank on it.

Edited September 13, 2007 by molasseslass

[poodlefan]

I agree with Molasseslass. The key to toilet training is consistency and right now you are giving your pup conflicting messages about where she is and isn't allowed to eliminate.

Why not confine her to the laundry during the day and install a dog door so she can go in and out... or as recommended, build her a small pen.

While she's allowed to toilet inside during the day, I don't like your chances of getting her to only toilet outside at other times.

[Poodle wrangler]

I think everyone else has covered it

Every "mistake" you allow is a step backwards. If you can't supervise her really well, pop her outside.

17 weeks= about 4 months. Unless it's very cold or poorly sheltered where you live, I'd think it was OK to leave her outside during the day?

She needs shelter (not necessarily a kennel as some dogs won't use them), shade, fresh water and place to toilet. Perhaps a kong chew toy stuffed with food for "lunch"?

[Riley'n'Mia]

Apparently eventually (by 6 months) he'll figure it out, he too holds on all night and wakes us about 5.50 am to go every day.

While most dogs would have figured it out with appropriate training by 6 months of age, it's not a given so don't bank on it.

Yes I know not to expect anything to go like clock work with a bub pup am just being hopeful is all !

[Angelblaze112]

Thanks for the responses guys!

Schauzner_luv - I dont think its that she is so excited and doesnt want to leave me or my partner because she is quite happy to go off around the house playing by herself. She does go outside every time on command now, and if she wants to play for a bit first thats fine I let her but always make sure she goes toilet first. She also plays outside for a while during the night while im making dinner.

mollasseslass - That would be handy but the back yard is quite small and is contained so i guess i can start leaving her outside, i just have to chicken wire around the balcony because she can get on there and fit through the wood slats and i worry about her falling. Ok ill do that this weekend if you guys do think she's old enough to be outside, she does have shelter out the back and a kennel.

poodlefan - Our house is actually all mixed up! The laundry is actually down the front of the house, the only access from house to back yard is the study, and i know if i leave her in there she will chew all the stereo/computer/camera cords that are there, and also its a glass sliding door and i cant leave it open all day.

Ok ill try starting to leave her outside. I just worry she'll cry lots when i leave her and some one will steal her or she'll not be there when i get home! Aargh im such a worrier!

Edited September 13, 2007 by Angelblaze112

[poodlefan]

Angelblaze:

also its a glass sliding door and i cant leave it open all day.

You can put a dog door into glass but you can also get these really nifty inserts that go into the sliding door track and have a dog door at the bottom and a solid part at the top. They lock in using the door and the existing lock.

Edited September 13, 2007 by poodlefan

[Angelblaze112]

Angelblaze:

also its a glass sliding door and i cant leave it open all day.

You can put a dog door into glass but you can also get these really nifty inserts that go into the sliding door track and have a dog door at the bottom and a solid part at the top. They lock in using the door and the existing lock.

Oh really? Wow, i have never heard of that, where could i get one from? Thats great because I cant put a dog door in, rental property...

Then id just have to barricade off the computer.

[Poodle wrangler]

Pig in Mud patio doors.http://www.piginmud.com.au/joomla/pet-patio-doors/index.php

I don't have one myself but there was a thread a while ago about them and people liked them. Not cheap, but removable. Try a search?

[MolassesLass]

She should be fine outside, just do a check to make sure every cm of fence is secure, that there are no poisonous plants around (lists can be found online) and that there's nothing in reach that you aren't willing to sacrifice!

[Angelblaze112]

Thanks! I will do a check this weekend then and then start leaving my precious girl outside!

Thanks