Getting Pup To Toilet Outside

[Paptacular!]

I have a new 4.5 month old puppy (Portia). She's been here since Wednesday, and in that time she's toileted outside a grand total of about five times (and not for lack of us taking her outside!)

She seems to prefer to use a training pad inside to wee on, and poo wherever it falls. While I'm glad she's at least peeing on the training pads, we would really prefer for her to go outside, and we are fussing her and praising on the rare occasions that she does 'go' outside.

I thought the breeder may have paper trained her, but the funny thing is that she wasn't. She used to go outside on mainly concrete (same conditions as here).

Anyone have any ideas about how to make the transition to outside toilet easily?

[poodlefan]

You could try putting a training pad outside. and gradually reducing its size. Put it in the area you want her to toilet in.

Are you staying outside with her until she toilets?

Edited November 2, 2008 by poodlefan

[Guest june.andnovas]

Can't really help but I've had the same troubles with my 4 month old pup. She pees in the house when a split second too slow to take her out. She's a very quick puppy. I have now got a jar of dried liver outside so when she goes on the grass she gets a treat.

She did a number two outside this morning but peed inside as she didn't wake me up quick enough and I'd forgotten to set my alarm!

Though she lasts the whole night from about 10pm to 6am.

So hopefully the treating will help as I'm so over toilet training

Edited November 3, 2008 by june.andnovas

[Odin-Genie]

She seems to prefer to use a training pad inside to wee on, and poo wherever it falls. While I'm glad she's at least peeing on the training pads, we would really prefer for her to go outside, and we are fussing her and praising on the rare occasions that she does 'go' outside.

Clean the floors thoroughly and spray something like Urine Off wherever she has had accidents. If the smell stays (normal cleaners don't eradicate the smell), your puppy will think it's ok to go there. Also, try putting a pee post outside where you want her to go.

[Garden Girl]

Yes, I agree put the pad outside, or at least get rid of it inside altogether - and lots of rewards for her when she goes outside. A friend was so vigilant she would set her alarm and take the pup out every 30 minutes when she first got him - I wasnt that strict but I made sure I waited around till the pup did "'toilies" and made a big fuss.

Even doing all this it still took my pup 2 months to be fully toilet trained.

PS - I just use a vinegar and water spray to clean up wee inside - cheaper and the worst it can do to the pups is make them sneeze.

[Paptacular!]

She doesn't go out unsupervised.... she's so small I wouldn't want to chance her getting lost in one of the bushes where I won't be able to find her!

I'll try moving the pad outside... fingers crossed that it might work.

[smooch]

Smooch was newspaper trained and to get him outside I gradually moved the paper closer to the door and gradually outside, still using the newspaper.