Training New 8 Week Old Puppy - Ideas?

[Meeka17]

Hi,

I pick up my 8 week old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel this Sunday. I'm just wondering if anyone can give me some ideas/ advice on house training her and helping her deal with any separation anxiety she may have? I thought I might place her bed on the floor in my bedroom so she is close to me and then she doesn't feel like she is being shut out from her new 'pack'. I want to train her to toilet outside. I will take her outside after meals and playtime etc. to go toilet and I will praise her when she does toilet but how do I get her to learn to let me know when she needs to go outside to go toilet? Any ideas/ advice would be muchly appreciated!

Thanks,

Tameka :-)

[kyliegirl]

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/index.htm#puppy

http://www.clickertraining.com/

its your best friend

[Dogsfevr]

I think the key point is dont expect separation anxiety or anything else.The more you tread on egg shells often the more traumatic it is for pups.

Ask the breeder what the current toilet routine is.For example all our pups leave using a doggy door & having access when they need to go.

You can train to tell you but it means being very "on the spot" & using a method that doesnt frustrate the pup.

Some teach them to ring a bell/pull a rope to dont a bell/scratch/bark.

All ours have the doggy door 24/7.

Starting off in your room is fine but dont allow on the bed if in the future this isnt part of the plan.

[RoxyNHemi]

I had Cruise out in the loungeroom, until he was toilet trained. The first few nights he winged and whined, then he realised that he wouldnt get away with it.. I just played music for him, and left a small light on.

Now he is 4.5 months, and has been sleeping in the bedroom for the past month, he is almost 100% trained through the night, and if he is desperate, he goes out to the back door, and does it there. but this has only happened twice in the past month.

Puppys have to learn that they need to give indications, and not all puppies are the same, its up to you to be on the ball... As soon as puppy wakes / stops playing / finishes eating she will need to go out.

I basically went by the rule, to take Cruise out every half hour at first, then delayed the time slowly.

He will now sit by the door and look at it if it is shut, but most of the time its open.

Sarah

[Meeka17]

Thanks for the suggestions! Hopefully I work something out that suits myself and the puppy! :-)

[badboyz]

With house training - it is a good idea not to give puppy too much freedom in the house at first, especially if you are not able to supervise. I think many new puppy owners allow their new pups too much freedom to wander all over the house, before they have taught them where they are expected to toilet. I train all my babies to newspaper (at 4 weeks they are already pretty reliable on the paper - but shar pei are known for their ease in housetraining). When they can't be watched they should have a room/pen/crate that has a bed to sleep one end, newspaper to toilet on the other end, and of course some water/toys. Good luck!