How Far To Puppy's Toilet Spot?

[stonecutter]

I had originally picked a spot in the yard as Ziva's toilet spot - but it's a good 10-12m from her doggy door.

She'd go out the door in the laundry, up a granite path to a grassy/mulchy spot.

After watching her trot around at her breeder's at 9 weeks - I'm now wondering if it's too far to walk.

We're ok with her toileting on the gravel - but having never owned a dog before - I'm wondering whether it's a reasonable expectation.

Thanks in advance

[persephone]

Sounds a long way to me ...

little pups feel they have to 'go' and then don't have the ability to hang on . AND

it is YOUR responsibility to TAKE her out every 1/2 hour or so to help her learn about toilet training.Little pups /doggy doors/selected spot sounds good in theory

she is a BABY and needs quite a lot of time to get this part of her life with humans learned and reliable. She can not do it all by herself.

have a read of these links

CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE

there is also this method from DOL member "dogmad"

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.

Edited March 13, 2011 by persephone

[stonecutter]

thanks persephone! I'd already had a good read of the Dog Star Daily stuff - hence the idea to do toilet training to the same spot each time.

The breeder thinks that it would be easiest to take her out the regular door at first and then when she's a bit more confident, the doggy door (apparently she hasn't had an inside accident for 2 weeks now)

But definitely true about taking her out regularly - I certainly wasn't expecting her to figure it out at 12 weeks on her own! We've been told that by the time she comes home at 12 weeks, we should aim for toileting every 2 hours. If she looks urgent - just to rush her out the regular door to the spot, but if we're taking her - try to use a treat to lure her out the dog door so she gets used to it.

[sas]

Supervised toilet breaks I believe are the only way to successful toilet training.

[stonecutter]

Supervised toilet breaks I believe are the only way to successful toilet training.

Thanks MEH - was always my plan on the advice of my breeder and reading Dunbar - hopefully she picks it up quickly for when we're at work. (Unfortunately I can't bring her with me into the office or lecture theatre )