Will I Undo Toilet Training?

[Alouk]

Hi everyone- I'm a first timer here, in the forums and in doggy ownership!

I brought home my border collie pup Stella three days ago, she is a delight and she has not made a toileting mistake yet- woo hoo!! She always tells me when she needs to go and does it pronto, she only goes on grass and she is becoming more responsive to my command 'busy busy' too...

I am worried though, I head back to work after my Easter break on Monday. I planned to have her in 'her' area of the house (our kitchen!), when I am at work and my mum will come in at lunch times to see her.

BUT...I think that to do this I would have to teach her to use an inside toilet of newspaper- will I just undo all the good work her breeder did?

Or should I make an area outside for her for when I am gone (which I was going to do when she was a bit bigger)? I thought 8 weeks would be too young to be outside for the day- what are your thoughts?

Thank you!

[stonecutter]

Welcome Alouk! Stella is gorgeous

We have the same dilemma as you - Ziva is in our laundry when we're at work and is happy to go on newspaper (at one end of the laundry, her food, toys, crate are at the other). And when we're home - she doesn't have any inside accidents and is happy to eliminate on grass.

She doesn't get a treat for eliminating on newspaper, but she gets treats and lots of praise outside. So hopefully it is reinforcing that outside is better.

Eventually her dog run fence will go in (another 2 wks, she'll be 18 wks old) and she'll have access to her toilet spot while we're out at work (and inside laundry via dog door)

[Alouk]

Thank you Stonecutter!

Did you teach her to go on the paper? Or did it just happen/ was it 'natural' for her? (Sounds like a silly question but...)

Cheers!

[Guest Panzer Attack!]

I keep my toy breed pup in a pen with paper when I'm at work and only praise him for going outside. He's only 12 weeks old and even tho Papillons are meant to be difficult to toilet train I'm not having any real trouble with him.

He toilets on grass at my partner's house, and concrete at mine, which must be even more confusing for him!

E x

[aussielover]

Hey Alouk,

Stella is absolutely adorable and obviously very clever to be toileting outside on her own already! Well done to you guys and also to the breeder

What is the weather like down is Tas? i assume its pretty cold lol?

Its pretty cold here in sydney actually.

Do you have a nice warm kennel for her?

I would be tempted to leave her outside while you're away if the weather isn't too bad. A working BC puppy would be expected to be outside at 8 weeks, but then again, she may not be used being outside regularly if she is not from a working home?

She sounds very clever so I'm sure whatever you decide to do, she will adapt just fine.

If you do decide to keep her inside and use the newspaper- you would probably have to teach her to go on it. You can buy special puppy pads that encourage pups to toilet on the pad.

But the principle is the same- reward like crazy for toileting in the desired spot!!!

[SmoothieGirl]

My pups spend their days outside when I'm at work until they are old enough to use the dog door and are 100% toilet trained (this is about 4-5 weeks after their last accident inside, or if they haven't had an accident for a continuous period of 4-5 weeks after they come hom.) As long as the pup has suitable shelter, a warm kennel or living space, some toys and has a nice play with you before you go to work I think they are fine. Personally I believe it teachs a certain amount of self sufficiency too.

I warn my neighbours that there may be some yipping, howling or crying for the first few days and also ask them to report back to me if they think it went on too long or is out of the ordinary. No fuss when you leave the pup, perhaps give them a food toy and then just leave them and don't look back. Until they are 12 weeks Bronte and Ren also had a puppy walker come in a lunchtime for a 15 mins play and to give them a lunch feed. Broke up the day for them, just as your mum's visit would do.

My Dobe cried the first day and never again. Bronte cried for two days and never again, Ren cried for about half an hour the first few mornings then never again.

Edited April 27, 2011 by SmoothieGirl

[Alouk]

Hey Alouk,

Stella is absolutely adorable and obviously very clever to be toileting outside on her own already! Well done to you guys and also to the breeder

What is the weather like down is Tas? i assume its pretty cold lol?

Its pretty cold here in sydney actually.

Do you have a nice warm kennel for her?

I would be tempted to leave her outside while you're away if the weather isn't too bad. A working BC puppy would be expected to be outside at 8 weeks, but then again, she may not be used being outside regularly if she is not from a working home?

She sounds very clever so I'm sure whatever you decide to do, she will adapt just fine.

If you do decide to keep her inside and use the newspaper- you would probably have to teach her to go on it. You can buy special puppy pads that encourage pups to toilet on the pad.

But the principle is the same- reward like crazy for toileting in the desired spot!!!

Well, what a question-weather in Tas?!! As always in Tassie the weather is unpredictable! Walk around the block and it will change! People were ocean swimming here today!

I will be getting a nice warm kennel (didn't think I would need it for a while!). The breeder she came from happened to have two litters at once, so had 15 puppies- she kept them outside as she couldn't toilet them all! So Stella is used to it outside (but she would also be used to her Mum and littermates). I am really starting to think it is the go...she is a pretty tough chick! (the devil has come out in her today- biting like mad! oh, so much to teach...so different to the 8yr olds I teach for a living!)

[Alouk]

My pups spend their days outside when I'm at work until they are old enough to use the dog door and are 100% toilet trained (this is about 4-5 weeks after their last accident inside, or if they haven't had an accident for a continuous period of 4-5 weeks after they come hom.) As long as the pup has suitable shelter, a warm kennel or living space, some toys and has a nice play with you before you go to work I think they are fine. Personally I believe it teachs a certain amount of self sufficiency too.

I warn my neighbours that there may be some yipping, howling or crying for the first few days and also ask them to report back to me if they think it went on too long or is out of the ordinary. No fuss when you leave the pup, perhaps give them a food toy and then just leave them and don't look back. Until they are 12 weeks Bronte and Ren also had a puppy walker come in a lunchtime for a 15 mins play and to give them a lunch feed. Broke up the day for them, just as your mum's visit would do.

My Dobe cried the first day and never again. Bronte cried for two days and never again, Ren cried for about half an hour the first few mornings then never again.

This is sounding better and better- glad I asked the question! Do yours sleep inside? Thanks for your help!

[Alouk]

I keep my toy breed pup in a pen with paper when I'm at work and only praise him for going outside. He's only 12 weeks old and even tho Papillons are meant to be difficult to toilet train I'm not having any real trouble with him.

He toilets on grass at my partner's house, and concrete at mine, which must be even more confusing for him!

E x

How adaptable! Thanks!

[SmoothieGirl]

My pups spend their days outside when I'm at work until they are old enough to use the dog door and are 100% toilet trained (this is about 4-5 weeks after their last accident inside, or if they haven't had an accident for a continuous period of 4-5 weeks after they come hom.) As long as the pup has suitable shelter, a warm kennel or living space, some toys and has a nice play with you before you go to work I think they are fine. Personally I believe it teachs a certain amount of self sufficiency too.

I warn my neighbours that there may be some yipping, howling or crying for the first few days and also ask them to report back to me if they think it went on too long or is out of the ordinary. No fuss when you leave the pup, perhaps give them a food toy and then just leave them and don't look back. Until they are 12 weeks Bronte and Ren also had a puppy walker come in a lunchtime for a 15 mins play and to give them a lunch feed. Broke up the day for them, just as your mum's visit would do.

My Dobe cried the first day and never again. Bronte cried for two days and never again, Ren cried for about half an hour the first few mornings then never again.

This is sounding better and better- glad I asked the question! Do yours sleep inside? Thanks for your help!

Yep they sure do, I only dish out a certain amount of tough love, they are the light of my life after all. Its only when I'm at work they would be restricted to outside, the rest of the time they are wherever I am. Bronte sleeps on my bed and Ren in his crate next to my bed. He's still too little to get on my bed, so I don't want to put him up there with him jumping down by himself, its a high bed.

Ren started using the dog door at 10 weeks to go to the toilet and has been fully toilet trained since about 14 weeks. Well he hasn't had an accident since 10 weeks, but like I said before, I like to confirm the training with an extra 4-5 weeks. He joined Bronte in having access to the house and back yard when I'm at work when he was about 16 weeks. I use a puppy gate to keep them down the living end of the house and they have free run of this until I come home, then I open the puppy gate and they can meander where they like, although tend to stick close to me anyway.

Edited April 27, 2011 by SmoothieGirl

[stonecutter]

Thank you Stonecutter!

Did you teach her to go on the paper? Or did it just happen/ was it 'natural' for her? (Sounds like a silly question but...)

her breeder trained them to go on paper inside at night. But theoretically - they'll go to the toilet as far from their sleeping area as possible.

[Alouk]

My pups spend their days outside when I'm at work until they are old enough to use the dog door and are 100% toilet trained (this is about 4-5 weeks after their last accident inside, or if they haven't had an accident for a continuous period of 4-5 weeks after they come hom.) As long as the pup has suitable shelter, a warm kennel or living space, some toys and has a nice play with you before you go to work I think they are fine. Personally I believe it teachs a certain amount of self sufficiency too.

I warn my neighbours that there may be some yipping, howling or crying for the first few days and also ask them to report back to me if they think it went on too long or is out of the ordinary. No fuss when you leave the pup, perhaps give them a food toy and then just leave them and don't look back. Until they are 12 weeks Bronte and Ren also had a puppy walker come in a lunchtime for a 15 mins play and to give them a lunch feed. Broke up the day for them, just as your mum's visit would do.

My Dobe cried the first day and never again. Bronte cried for two days and never again, Ren cried for about half an hour the first few mornings then never again.

This is sounding better and better- glad I asked the question! Do yours sleep inside? Thanks for your help!

Yep they sure do, I only dish out a certain amount of tough love, they are the light of my life after all. Its only when I'm at work they would be restricted to outside, the rest of the time they are wherever I am. Bronte sleeps on my bed and Ren in his crate next to my bed. He's still too little to get on my bed, so I don't want to put him up there with him jumping down by himself, its a high bed.

Ren started using the dog door at 10 weeks to go to the toilet and has been fully toilet trained since about 14 weeks. Well he hasn't had an accident since 10 weeks, but like I said before, I like to confirm the training with an extra 4-5 weeks. He joined Bronte in having access to the house and back yard when I'm at work when he was about 16 weeks. I use a puppy gate to keep them down the living end of the house and they have free run of this until I come home, then I open the puppy gate and they can meander where they like, although tend to stick close to me anyway.

Great! I don't want her outside all the time- I love her cuddles and I didn't get her to keep her outside- I got her for company, love and friendship! A dog door sounds good, but I am renting my house and think that, while the owner is amazing letting me have Stella, I might be pushing it getting a dog door put in! I keep her restricted in the house at the moment and will give her wider range as she learns what is what!

Thanks a lot- the kennel is on its way!

[SmoothieGirl]

My pups spend their days outside when I'm at work until they are old enough to use the dog door and are 100% toilet trained (this is about 4-5 weeks after their last accident inside, or if they haven't had an accident for a continuous period of 4-5 weeks after they come hom.) As long as the pup has suitable shelter, a warm kennel or living space, some toys and has a nice play with you before you go to work I think they are fine. Personally I believe it teachs a certain amount of self sufficiency too.

I warn my neighbours that there may be some yipping, howling or crying for the first few days and also ask them to report back to me if they think it went on too long or is out of the ordinary. No fuss when you leave the pup, perhaps give them a food toy and then just leave them and don't look back. Until they are 12 weeks Bronte and Ren also had a puppy walker come in a lunchtime for a 15 mins play and to give them a lunch feed. Broke up the day for them, just as your mum's visit would do.

My Dobe cried the first day and never again. Bronte cried for two days and never again, Ren cried for about half an hour the first few mornings then never again.

This is sounding better and better- glad I asked the question! Do yours sleep inside? Thanks for your help!

Yep they sure do, I only dish out a certain amount of tough love, they are the light of my life after all. Its only when I'm at work they would be restricted to outside, the rest of the time they are wherever I am. Bronte sleeps on my bed and Ren in his crate next to my bed. He's still too little to get on my bed, so I don't want to put him up there with him jumping down by himself, its a high bed.

Ren started using the dog door at 10 weeks to go to the toilet and has been fully toilet trained since about 14 weeks. Well he hasn't had an accident since 10 weeks, but like I said before, I like to confirm the training with an extra 4-5 weeks. He joined Bronte in having access to the house and back yard when I'm at work when he was about 16 weeks. I use a puppy gate to keep them down the living end of the house and they have free run of this until I come home, then I open the puppy gate and they can meander where they like, although tend to stick close to me anyway.

Great! I don't want her outside all the time- I love her cuddles and I didn't get her to keep her outside- I got her for company, love and friendship! A dog door sounds good, but I am renting my house and think that, while the owner is amazing letting me have Stella, I might be pushing it getting a dog door put in! I keep her restricted in the house at the moment and will give her wider range as she learns what is what!

Thanks a lot- the kennel is on its way!

I think you're right, you're on a winner with that landlord, you don't want to push it. If you have a sliding door however, one other thing you consider when she's old enough, is one of those insert doors with a dog door in it. They can be a bit pricey, but something to think about if you eventually want her to have more house access. I'm planning one for my new house.

http://www.patiolink.com.au/?gclid=CLG7xr3...CFcSBpAodOlDRow

[Alouk]

My pups spend their days outside when I'm at work until they are old enough to use the dog door and are 100% toilet trained (this is about 4-5 weeks after their last accident inside, or if they haven't had an accident for a continuous period of 4-5 weeks after they come hom.) As long as the pup has suitable shelter, a warm kennel or living space, some toys and has a nice play with you before you go to work I think they are fine. Personally I believe it teachs a certain amount of self sufficiency too.

I warn my neighbours that there may be some yipping, howling or crying for the first few days and also ask them to report back to me if they think it went on too long or is out of the ordinary. No fuss when you leave the pup, perhaps give them a food toy and then just leave them and don't look back. Until they are 12 weeks Bronte and Ren also had a puppy walker come in a lunchtime for a 15 mins play and to give them a lunch feed. Broke up the day for them, just as your mum's visit would do.

My Dobe cried the first day and never again. Bronte cried for two days and never again, Ren cried for about half an hour the first few mornings then never again.

This is sounding better and better- glad I asked the question! Do yours sleep inside? Thanks for your help!

Yep they sure do, I only dish out a certain amount of tough love, they are the light of my life after all. Its only when I'm at work they would be restricted to outside, the rest of the time they are wherever I am. Bronte sleeps on my bed and Ren in his crate next to my bed. He's still too little to get on my bed, so I don't want to put him up there with him jumping down by himself, its a high bed.

Ren started using the dog door at 10 weeks to go to the toilet and has been fully toilet trained since about 14 weeks. Well he hasn't had an accident since 10 weeks, but like I said before, I like to confirm the training with an extra 4-5 weeks. He joined Bronte in having access to the house and back yard when I'm at work when he was about 16 weeks. I use a puppy gate to keep them down the living end of the house and they have free run of this until I come home, then I open the puppy gate and they can meander where they like, although tend to stick close to me anyway.

Great! I don't want her outside all the time- I love her cuddles and I didn't get her to keep her outside- I got her for company, love and friendship! A dog door sounds good, but I am renting my house and think that, while the owner is amazing letting me have Stella, I might be pushing it getting a dog door put in! I keep her restricted in the house at the moment and will give her wider range as she learns what is what!

Thanks a lot- the kennel is on its way!

I think you're right, you're on a winner with that landlord, you don't want to push it. If you have a sliding door however, one other thing you consider when she's old enough, is one of those insert doors with a dog door in it. They can be a bit pricey, but something to think about if you eventually want her to have more house access. I'm planning one for my new house.

http://www.patiolink.com.au/?gclid=CLG7xr3...CFcSBpAodOlDRow

They are awesome! Great idea, makes a lot of sense!