Gone Backwards In Toilet Training?

[Jenr]

Hi I have a little mini foxy she is 4 months old.

Little Lucy was doing really well in her toilet training and was going outside to pee. This week she has gone back to doing it in the house espacially at night when we are in bed? She has two pet doors which are open all the time so access is not a problem she is in and out all day.

We had a day of rain early this week and she wasnt happy about going outside then I dont know if this has caused her to start doing it inside again?

I would appreciate any advice as she is getting in to trouble and I dont like growling at her!

Jen

[Poodle wrangler]

Go back to basics- take her outside every hour, after sleeps, after eating/ drinking and praise like mad when she "performs".

It might also mean taking her outside at least once (pref. twice) overnight.

If you don't want to get up, is it warm enough that she can sleep outside? With a coat?

[SpikesPuppy]

Hi

You might want to consider crate training your puppy- a search will give you more information. But basically you will be confining the dog at night and at this age, most pups can go through- but it may help to take her out once or twice through the night to start off with.

I have found that with crate training, it means the pup is confined when you can not watch it 100%, so not only is it safe from chewing things it shouldn't, and your belongings are safe too, but the pup will also usually cry to let you know it needs to toilet- few pups will toilet in their sleeping quarters.

I have a 19 week old pup and she was sleeping through most nights by 9 weeks old (got her at 8 weeks), every few nights she will need to go and because her crate is in my bedroom, she wakes me up. She is given free range most of the day but if I cannot watch her, she goes into her puppy playpen, which is near me, and again, she will cry out if she needs to toilet.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Jenr - growling at a puppy could possibly frighten the dog and give it a toiletting complex.

Please try this method from the Dog Listener - Jan Fennell - I've used it to train rescue dogs of all ages, and given the method to others to use even when their vet told them it couldn't be done!! Puppies will take longer than adult dogs and the trick is to follow this method thoroughly, being consistent and patient. Foxies are super smart, the most intelligent dogs - I have had results with male foxy types in a day or 2 quite frequently!!

HOUSETRAINING TIPS

Ok - first thing to do is decide on the command (I call it “do wees”) you will repeat over and over. You have to really focus on the dog for about 2-3 days to be successful. You have a pocketful of special treats on hand all the time for the first 2-3 days.

Walk the dog several times a day and every time the dog wees, you get very excited and keep saying “Good boy/girl, do wees, do wees” – give the dog treats every time.

First thing in the morning, last thing at night and every time you see the dog eat or drink (both precursors to weeing) whisk the dog into the garden and repeat the command “do wees”. Get very excited and present treats every time dog goes.

The dog’s aim in life is to please you. If the dog should have an accident inside the house – say NOTHING at all. The dog soon gets the idea that when he/she goes outside you are really, really pleased and he/she gets rewarded.

NB: Please note that the smell of urine must be properly removed for any housetraining to be successful. There are products on the market such as “Urine Off” but they are very expensive. A mix of white vinegar and water is a much cheaper alternative and should work for tiles and other surfaces although you should always take care with wood etc. For carpet/rugs, I use either a mixture of Napisan/water or bicarb of soda and water. I completely soak the stain using a dab on technique with a cloth. When it is very wet, I use an old towel to soak up the excess moisture. Again, be careful on any expensive carpet/rug, I have never had any problems but I cannot guarantee any method here.

[Jenr]

Jenr - growling at a puppy could possibly frighten the dog and give it a toiletting complex.

Please try this method from the Dog Listener - Jan Fennell - I've used it to train rescue dogs of all ages, and given the method to others to use even when their vet told them it couldn't be done!! Puppies will take longer than adult dogs and the trick is to follow this method thoroughly, being consistent and patient. Foxies are super smart, the most intelligent dogs - I have had results with male foxy types in a day or 2 quite frequently!!

HOUSETRAINING TIPS

Ok - first thing to do is decide on the command (I call it “do wees”) you will repeat over and over. You have to really focus on the dog for about 2-3 days to be successful. You have a pocketful of special treats on hand all the time for the first 2-3 days.

Walk the dog several times a day and every time the dog wees, you get very excited and keep saying “Good boy/girl, do wees, do wees” – give the dog treats every time.

First thing in the morning, last thing at night and every time you see the dog eat or drink (both precursors to weeing) whisk the dog into the garden and repeat the command “do wees”. Get very excited and present treats every time dog goes.

The dog’s aim in life is to please you. If the dog should have an accident inside the house – say NOTHING at all. The dog soon gets the idea that when he/she goes outside you are really, really pleased and he/she gets rewarded.

NB: Please note that the smell of urine must be properly removed for any housetraining to be successful. There are products on the market such as “Urine Off” but they are very expensive. A mix of white vinegar and water is a much cheaper alternative and should work for tiles and other surfaces although you should always take care with wood etc. For carpet/rugs, I use either a mixture of Napisan/water or bicarb of soda and water. I completely soak the stain using a dab on technique with a cloth. When it is very wet, I use an old towel to soak up the excess moisture. Again, be careful on any expensive carpet/rug, I have never had any problems but I cannot guarantee any method here.

Thank you everyone for your advice Dogmad I will try what you said over the weekend as I have 2 days of and will see how it goes thanks again!

[Poodle wrangler]

Great advice from dogmad

[R00]

Not much to add, just giving moral support. Keep at it My staffy was a nightmare to toilet train, I honestly was starting to think he would never get it. But he did.

[BenjiMom]

they say, patience is a virtue...and it is with toilet training with pups. Good luck. Just keep with the advice already told.

ed: for spell check

Edited October 5, 2007 by Bloss

[percyk]

u have to check that she actually goes b4 bed..watch her and only let her in if u know shes gone

if she has a drink b4 bed then u will have to get up

make sure all food ( dry ) has been put away so that she cant have a midnight snack either and then fill her bowel so that she has to go again b4 morning

always teach a word that signals her to go...females are easy to train cos they usually dont hold back the urine..empty and go..boys can keep it on tap!

( i do have one desexed bitch that will go in two lots rather than one big wee)

i tether my dogs when training,,,i have places that i can hook their long lead and a mat and i time them

i have paper near the door for them to go on ...so at least they dont mess in the rest of the room...but generally i really try to know where they are all the time

i have even tied a rope round my waist so that they can be with me

be super vigilant after meals and play and sleep

with some pups i have had them sleep by my bed with a longish leash round my arm and the minute they stir i get up...yep it costs me sleep but after every month they get better at sleeping right thru ....

after a while if they stir i just say 'lie down ' and if they dont then i know they really do need to go ....a real drag but so worth it long term

i have had some really difficult breeds to toilet train and yes i know they can go backwards thats why i am so fanatical about getting up at night and supervising their toileting...

its just creating that habit for them

good luck

it can take up to a year with small breeds...small bladders remember!!

[Eldoop]

We had alittle set back aswell, last night Cody peed in the house first time since the first day we got him, and I always take him out after every sleep, feed and when he wakes up, also last night he peed on his bed, and he hasn't had a accident in the mornings for over a week, I take him out before bed and again around 5 to 6 am, so I'm very interested in this thread

Edited to add he is in a crate over night and has a small area with paper incase he has to go, but he still prefers to pee on his bed??

Edited October 8, 2007 by kittyhawklee

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Kittyhawklee - could just be a one off, my guys have had this happen from time to time!