Toilet Training

[Erny]

I think Cruise is a wise little man, and is just being a stubborn kid, as I can walk and walk him outside and he just wants to play.

Not stubborn Sarah - more than likely merely too stimulated by the distractions outside to remember about going to the toilet. Have him on lead if necessary, and just wait. Calmly and quietly. Don't walk him around nor walk around with him (other than to a favourite toilet spot - having him where there are old toilet smells will help get his mind on the job and encourage him to 'go').

Of course, BIG party once he has finished his toilet outside. This will help build a contrast in his mind between what happens when he does it outside compared to the 'nothing' that happens when he's inside. Clearn up in his absence. Not everyone finds this necessary to do with their pups, but I have found it does make a difference and it completely removes any possibility of fun or attention that pup might perceive whilst you're cleaning up.

Cute puppy, BTW. Of the "SWF" group, I rather like Westies. Hope you're socialising him broadley and plan to train him. Westies can be fiesty little fellows. A busy brain in a little body . They definately need mental stimulation of good caliber.

[RoxyNHemi]

I think Cruise is a wise little man, and is just being a stubborn kid, as I can walk and walk him outside and he just wants to play.

Not stubborn Sarah - more than likely merely too stimulated by the distractions outside to remember about going to the toilet. Have him on lead if necessary, and just wait. Calmly and quietly. Don't walk him around nor walk around with him (other than to a favourite toilet spot - having him where there are old toilet smells will help get his mind on the job and encourage him to 'go').

Of course, BIG party once he has finished his toilet outside. This will help build a contrast in his mind between what happens when he does it outside compared to the 'nothing' that happens when he's inside. Clearn up in his absence. Not everyone finds this necessary to do with their pups, but I have found it does make a difference and it completely removes any possibility of fun or attention that pup might perceive whilst you're cleaning up.

Cute puppy, BTW. Of the "SWF" group, I rather like Westies. Hope you're socialising him broadley and plan to train him. Westies can be fiesty little fellows. A busy brain in a little body . They definately need mental stimulation of good caliber.

Hi Erny, and everyone else.

We are making tonnes of progress, I am picking up signals, and he has a spot where he likes to go outside, we are having fewer mistakes in, and most of them would be my fault (in fact id say all).

What do you mean by "SWF"? He is 10 weeks old now, has had a few trips to mine and my partners work and he has an older companion 'roxy' and has met the in laws goldens, as well as learning to play with our cats. He seems to take it all in his stride, I want him to be dog friendly, and although I know the terriers can be fiesty, I dont want him 'going' for the dog infront in group line ups. I am thinking about taking him to puppy preschool, but he is almost too old. I'll also be taking him back to his breeders (who also breeds poodles and frenchies) to socialise with her dogs.

Would you say this is enough? I hav also started on his show training, and luckily he is very food motivated, and has learnt to watch, and hold it already, there is already stuborness with lead training, but i am working on that (he didnt like the lead around the neck, so I have bouht a collar and he is wearing that).

Thanks everone again for their advice

Sarah

[Ruftybear]

where do you get urine off?? I havent had a chance to get out and look for it yet

Cheers

I got mine from the vet, but you should also be able to buy it online from pet suppliers (my vet sells it online if you have any problems getting it. I don't think you will though) .....

[FionaC]

SWF = small white fluffy

[capcharaphity]

Hello all,

As you may, or may not know, I bought home a Westie pup just over a week ago. I am having issues in teaching him to go toilet, where he should.

Whenever he does it in the wrong spot, i growl at him and put him on the newpaper in the house, or outside..

He doesnt get the point that he should be going on the paper/outside and pees wherever he feels, in particular on our running mats, or the pillows on the floor for them to lay on.

The other thing is, when we put him to bed at night, we walk them out the back for 15-20 minutes first, he never does anything, then we put him in his crate, which has a bed one corner, newpaper over half, and food/water in the other corner, and he walks straight onto his bed an wees on it.

I blamed myself during the week, as we only spent two full days with him, before returning to work, but I thought he may have got the point as he has been corrected in the evenings, as well as we spent all weekend with him this weekend. The very rare occasion that he has gone outside/on the paper he has been praised VERY highly, but the point doesnt seem to of got accross. He is now at the point that when he heres me growl, he runs..

Any suggestions of what i am doing wrong / right and how to help this come along quicker

Sarah - who is fed up with washing pillows, floors, running mats...

One week is still such a short time, so it is too soon to expect total brilliance, however, may I gently say that I would suggest a couple of thongs.. as others have said, definitely no good or water in the crate. Crate should have enough room for bedding only. Make a barrier if it is too roomy. Dogs will rarely ever foul their own bed if they believe have to sleep in it. Also, and I know this is probably not possible for you, but in my experience when teaching a puppy it is OK to empty in 2 diferent places, ie outside or in the house, but only on the paper, they take a very long time to get it perfectly right. Obviously if pup was old enough and you were happy with him being outside during the day, this would be easier, and I understand that pup is inside during the day when you are at work. Just a thought, but you may consider retraining completely that it is only OK to empty on the paper or weewee pad inside the house. No outside toileting unti, later, when you can gradually move the paper nearer to the door, just outisde the door, and then out onto the grassed or garden area. I find reprimanding at toilet times never works. Just creates anxt and misery and a wedge between owner and pup. Anyways, good luck.

OOps, sorry. Edited because I didn't check posting dates. Glad puppy is going well.

Edited September 28, 2008 by capcharaphity

[Crest_Fallen]

I have a 10 week old puppy who the breeder told me is not at all toilet trained (which I didn't expect he would be at that age). But since arriving home with us, he has only had a few accidents. A couple were not 'hearing' what he was telling me and the other was when he was distracted (investigating house). I never growl at him. I say No, pick him up and take him outside. When I want him to do a wee I stand near the area I want him to do his wee and just wait quietly. When he does his wee I immediately say Good Boy or Clever Boy and give him lots of pats.

We started by taking Levi outside often and we were lucky, I can predict when he needs to go and then give myself another opportunity to praise him for his efforts. Dogs naturally love to please so if you can catch him doing what you want, it is much easier on both of you.

Even overnight he has largely cried out when he needs the toilet, although I did also end up (after getting up every 2 hours) putting a tray with newspaper on it, for 'emergencies'. Being a small dog he does have a small bladder. If I am going out I leave him the newspaper so he has somewhere to 'go'.

Really it is really about having lots of patience, predicting when they are likely to want to go and praising them heaps when they do it. Give him time, he will get there.

Gorgeous Westie by the way.