puppymum Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Hi, I have been reading up on toilet training in preparation for a new puppy, and keep seeing advice not to clean up in front of the puppy, but no one actually says why it is a problem. If a dog can't connect an owner being upset with finding a mess with it's actions of going to the toilet earlier, how is it going to connect it with me cleaning in the area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
all that glitters Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Some puppies who see the owner get 'upset' over an accident inside, will associate going to the toilet not as wrong, but as a deed to be hidden, and will sneak off and do it when you aren't watching. They may also develop a fear of going to the toilet with you around at all - whether it be inside or out, which can be a problem. The point is to get them to understand that outside is toilet area, by just constant repetitive opportunities for them to go out there.. they catch on pretty quick if you get them out there whenever they have to go. When they go outside, you PRAISE PRAISE and get really excited, and they realize hang on a minute..if I relieve myself out here, mum/dad get really happy! (pups love to please you) and they will want to repeat the scenario for the same response from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacyk Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 (edited) Some people also feel puppies relate you cleaning up their mess as a nuturing jesture. A bitch will always clean up her puppies mess (up to a certain age). Edited June 4, 2009 by stacyk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Some people also feel puppies relate you cleaning up their mess as a nuturing jesture.A bitch will always clean up her puppies mess (up to a certain age). Yes, I've heard this as a reason to NOT clean up when the pup can see you, but never believed it makes any difference. I wouldn't be too concerned, consistency works well, pysco-analysis will just drive you nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odin-Genie Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Some people also feel puppies relate you cleaning up their mess as a nuturing jesture.A bitch will always clean up her puppies mess (up to a certain age). Yes, I've heard this as a reason to NOT clean up when the pup can see you, but never believed it makes any difference. I wouldn't be too concerned, consistency works well, pysco-analysis will just drive you nuts. I always cleaned my puppies' mess in front of them, without reprimanding them. Didn't have any issues. I now have two perfectly toilet trained dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 (edited) It's just the extra 'attention' that puppy can perceive from it. I found with my own boy that cleaning up in his absence made quite a big difference. Before that, he enjoyed what he thought was a fun game of 'chase the cleaning cloth and/or bark at the spray cleaner' I was using. Even having Mum or Dad on their hands and knees (ie closer to puppy) can be a reinforcement to some. Or even just the mere fact that Mum or Dad are sooooooo interested in puppy's 'do-do'. Edited June 6, 2009 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 I think it's more like don't punish the pup for mistakes. It's a normal body function. By punishing pup, the next time he may do it in a place not easily seen & be afraid to go in front of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puppymum Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 I think it's more like don't punish the pup for mistakes. It's a normal body function. By punishing pup, the next time he may do it in a place not easily seen & be afraid to go in front of you. That's the bit I have a problem with - there is a difference between cleaning up where the dog can see, and punishing or getting upset at the dog. To be able to clean up without the dog seeing involves locking the dog away somewhere (which IS punishment, and attention etc). So in order to stop my dog seeing the clean up, I would have to contradict all of the other advice! Perhaps instead of saying "don't clean up in front of the puppy" the information should say IF you can't control yourself from making a big deal about cleaning up it is better to do it away from the puppy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 I think it's more like don't punish the pup for mistakes. It's a normal body function. By punishing pup, the next time he may do it in a place not easily seen & be afraid to go in front of you. That's the bit I have a problem with - there is a difference between cleaning up where the dog can see, and punishing or getting upset at the dog. To be able to clean up without the dog seeing involves locking the dog away somewhere (which IS punishment, and attention etc). So in order to stop my dog seeing the clean up, I would have to contradict all of the other advice! Perhaps instead of saying "don't clean up in front of the puppy" the information should say IF you can't control yourself from making a big deal about cleaning up it is better to do it away from the puppy? I don't think this is it (refer my earlier post) but it is people seeing as this which causes the confusion in their own minds. Just my opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucylotto Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Some people also feel puppies relate you cleaning up their mess as a nuturing jesture.A bitch will always clean up her puppies mess (up to a certain age). Yes, I've heard this as a reason to NOT clean up when the pup can see you, but never believed it makes any difference. I wouldn't be too concerned, consistency works well, pysco-analysis will just drive you nuts. yep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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