Comments on: Puppy Potty Training – Facts and Myths http://shibashake.com/dog Dog Tips, Care & Training Mon, 21 May 2012 18:18:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: shibashake http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-potty-training-facts-and-myths#comment-26844 shibashake Thu, 10 May 2012 05:07:32 +0000 http://shibashake.com/shibainublog/dog-potty-training-facts-and-myths/#comment-26844 Hello Jennifer, She may think that she is only allowed to go on potty pads, and not on grass. With my dogs, I have also noticed that they prefer to go on grass, which is the surface that I initially potty trained them on. Some things that may help- <strong>1. Associate a verbal command with the potty action.</strong> Initially, I associate the "Go Potty" command with the potty action. When I am pretty sure that my puppy is about to do her business, I say "Go Potty", then I reward her especially well for doing it "on command". I keep repeating this every time she does her business. This helps her associate the verbal with the action, so that I can later use it to communicate with her and let her know that now is a good time to potty, or this is a good spot to go potty. <strong>2. Put a potty pad on the grass.</strong> As a transition step, putting a potty pad on the grass may help her learn that it is ok to do her business on grass. I always make sure to reward really well when puppy potties in the right place. I give her affection, food, and also play a very fun game with her. <strong>3. Long walks or exercise.</strong> I have noticed that my dogs are more likely to potty after some rigorous exercise, e.g.long walks, or high energy play sessions. It can sometimes be difficult, but I also try to be relaxed when puppy makes mistakes in the house. Dogs are usually very sensitive to their people's energy or emotional state. When I am stressed or angry, my dogs pick up on that right away and often get stressed themselves. As you say, this can cause them to make even more mistakes. Big hugs to Bailey. She sounds like a wonderful girl. Hello Jennifer,

She may think that she is only allowed to go on potty pads, and not on grass. With my dogs, I have also noticed that they prefer to go on grass, which is the surface that I initially potty trained them on.

Some things that may help-
1. Associate a verbal command with the potty action.

Initially, I associate the “Go Potty” command with the potty action. When I am pretty sure that my puppy is about to do her business, I say “Go Potty”, then I reward her especially well for doing it “on command”. I keep repeating this every time she does her business. This helps her associate the verbal with the action, so that I can later use it to communicate with her and let her know that now is a good time to potty, or this is a good spot to go potty.

2. Put a potty pad on the grass.

As a transition step, putting a potty pad on the grass may help her learn that it is ok to do her business on grass. I always make sure to reward really well when puppy potties in the right place. I give her affection, food, and also play a very fun game with her.

3. Long walks or exercise.

I have noticed that my dogs are more likely to potty after some rigorous exercise, e.g.long walks, or high energy play sessions.

It can sometimes be difficult, but I also try to be relaxed when puppy makes mistakes in the house. Dogs are usually very sensitive to their people’s energy or emotional state. When I am stressed or angry, my dogs pick up on that right away and often get stressed themselves. As you say, this can cause them to make even more mistakes.

Big hugs to Bailey. She sounds like a wonderful girl.

]]> By: shibashake http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-potty-training-facts-and-myths#comment-26816 shibashake Wed, 09 May 2012 18:17:52 +0000 http://shibashake.com/shibainublog/dog-potty-training-facts-and-myths/#comment-26816 Hello Selina, In terms of potty training, I train my dogs to only potty right on their pads. If they get used to pottying wherever in the house, then it will be more difficult to potty train them later. With my Sibe puppy Lara, I set up some puppy pads in her long-term enclosure. In this way, she has some place to go when I am not around to supervise. I make sure to praise her and reward her for going on her pads. If she tries to go anywhere else, I no-mark her and take her to her sanctioned potty area. If she continues, then I praise her and reward her. In terms of sleeping, my dogs sleep with me in the bedroom in their crates. With puppy Lara, I slept with her for the first couple of days, then I slowly desensitized her to her crate. http://shibashake.hubpages.com/hub/Dog-Anxiety-Fearful-Dog#mod_15989164 It is natural for puppies to whine and cry when they are not getting their way. I make sure not to reward this behavior though, because if I do, puppy will just keep repeating it. I always wait for them to be quiet before giving them anything, including my attention. I also make my dogs work for all the things that they want, including food, toys, access to the backyard, and also for tummy rubs! :D I do this by following the <a href="http://shibashake.com/dog/nothing-in-life-is-free-dog-training" rel="nofollow">Nothing in Life is Free program</a>. Here are a few more things that helped with my dogs during puppyhood- http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-obedience-training http://shibashake.hubpages.com/_srec/hub/Train-a-Puppy-Obedience Hugs to Yuri! Hello Selina,

In terms of potty training, I train my dogs to only potty right on their pads. If they get used to pottying wherever in the house, then it will be more difficult to potty train them later.

With my Sibe puppy Lara, I set up some puppy pads in her long-term enclosure. In this way, she has some place to go when I am not around to supervise. I make sure to praise her and reward her for going on her pads. If she tries to go anywhere else, I no-mark her and take her to her sanctioned potty area. If she continues, then I praise her and reward her.

In terms of sleeping, my dogs sleep with me in the bedroom in their crates. With puppy Lara, I slept with her for the first couple of days, then I slowly desensitized her to her crate.
http://shibashake.hubpages.com/hub/Dog-Anxiety-Fearful-Dog#mod_15989164

It is natural for puppies to whine and cry when they are not getting their way. I make sure not to reward this behavior though, because if I do, puppy will just keep repeating it. I always wait for them to be quiet before giving them anything, including my attention.

I also make my dogs work for all the things that they want, including food, toys, access to the backyard, and also for tummy rubs! :D I do this by following the Nothing in Life is Free program.

Here are a few more things that helped with my dogs during puppyhood-
http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-obedience-training
http://shibashake.hubpages.com/_srec/hub/Train-a-Puppy-Obedience

Hugs to Yuri!

]]> By: Jennifer http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-potty-training-facts-and-myths#comment-26788 Jennifer Wed, 09 May 2012 05:06:03 +0000 http://shibashake.com/shibainublog/dog-potty-training-facts-and-myths/#comment-26788 Hello, We adpoted a beautiful 4 month old german shepard mix about 5 months ago. She quickly learned to go on the potty pads and has had barely any issues with pottying anywhere but her pads. Now that she is older and can hold her waste longer, I want to train her to go outside. We live in a condiminum and either my husband and I are home all the time so we usually take her outside if we see she looks like she is about to go potty on her pads. Once outside though, she sniffs around and looks like she is about to go but never does. We've been outside with her for hours at a time waiting for her to go but nothing. Our 8 year old Beagle knows how to cry at the door to go out and Bailey (german-shepard mix) has caught on to this but hasn't caught on to actually going outside. This evening she has peed on our bed as well as our couch and I think it is because of all of the changes of going outside has stressed her out? I do not know what to do. Please HELP!!!!!! Sincerely, Desperate Doggy Owner Hello,
We adpoted a beautiful 4 month old german shepard mix about 5 months ago. She quickly learned to go on the potty pads and has had barely any issues with pottying anywhere but her pads. Now that she is older and can hold her waste longer, I want to train her to go outside. We live in a condiminum and either my husband and I are home all the time so we usually take her outside if we see she looks like she is about to go potty on her pads. Once outside though, she sniffs around and looks like she is about to go but never does. We’ve been outside with her for hours at a time waiting for her to go but nothing. Our 8 year old Beagle knows how to cry at the door to go out and Bailey (german-shepard mix) has caught on to this but hasn’t caught on to actually going outside. This evening she has peed on our bed as well as our couch and I think it is because of all of the changes of going outside has stressed her out? I do not know what to do. Please HELP!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Desperate Doggy Owner

]]> By: Selina http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-potty-training-facts-and-myths#comment-26781 Selina Wed, 09 May 2012 01:40:20 +0000 http://shibashake.com/shibainublog/dog-potty-training-facts-and-myths/#comment-26781 HI :) this site is very useful ! :) and your dogs are very adorable ! i recently bought a 2 month old beagle, her name is Yuri.. (btw, its my first time to take care of a dog) we live in a condominium so we decided to let her do her thing is a small tray we provided for her.. sometimes, pees and poops on it, but most of the time, she poops anywhere... if we suspect she's about to poop, we put newspaper right away... my main problem is this.. during the night, we leave her outside our room, Yuri would not sleep unless there's someone beside her, so I always sit beside until she sleeps, most of the time, I rub her belly to make her sleep... or carry her like a baby until she fell asleep...is this normal for a puppy? i had been doing this for a week to make things worse, whenever she poops in the middle of the night, she would scratch our bedroom door and bark to wake me up to clean her pee and poop, she would not stop until its cleaned... usually she poops at 12pm, 1am, 4am... *i am already tired but i have no choice... we tried to put her in her cage but she keeps barking and howling... i am worried that the neighbors might complain so i did not continue with this method... HELP!! i am very tired :| and frustrated... i will take her outside when she's old enough, the vet advised me not to take her outside yet because she might acquire bacteria, viruses etc..... ***your reply would be a big help .. THANKS A LOT :) -selina HI :)
this site is very useful ! :) and your dogs are very adorable !

i recently bought a 2 month old beagle, her name is Yuri.. (btw, its my first time to take care of a dog)
we live in a condominium so we decided to let her do her thing is a small tray we provided for her.. sometimes, pees and poops on it, but most of the time, she poops anywhere… if we suspect she’s about to poop, we put newspaper right away…

my main problem is this.. during the night, we leave her outside our room, Yuri would not sleep unless there’s someone beside her, so I always sit beside until she sleeps, most of the time, I rub her belly to make her sleep… or carry her like a baby until she fell asleep…is this normal for a puppy?
i had been doing this for a week
to make things worse, whenever she poops in the middle of the night, she would scratch our bedroom door and bark to wake me up to clean her pee and poop, she would not stop until its cleaned… usually she poops at 12pm, 1am, 4am… *i am already tired but i have no choice…

we tried to put her in her cage but she keeps barking and howling… i am worried that the neighbors might complain so i did not continue with this method…

HELP!! i am very tired :| and frustrated…

i will take her outside when she’s old enough, the vet advised me not to take her outside yet because she might acquire bacteria, viruses etc…..

***your reply would be a big help .. THANKS A LOT :)

-selina

]]> By: shibashake http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-potty-training-facts-and-myths#comment-25058 shibashake Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:36:31 +0000 http://shibashake.com/shibainublog/dog-potty-training-facts-and-myths/#comment-25058 Hello Larissa, It is difficult to say for sure from just online communication. <blockquote>Yes…I think she is kind of…scared of us sometimes…not sure….I think she was feeling so pressured to pee on the pad that she started to hold it….I don’t know</blockquote> This could be it. What happens when she pees in the house? With my dogs I find that consistency and clear communication work best. I set up a clear mark and no-mark, and have clear and consistent rules for them. In this way, they know what is expected of them, and what they can expect from me. A fixed routine also helps with my dogs. When their environment becomes uncertain, they get stressed which can result in various unhealthy behaviors. Here is more on <a href="http://shibashake.hubpages.com/_srec/hub/Train-a-Puppy-Obedience" rel="nofollow">how I train my puppy</a>. It may also be useful to get a professional trainer to come and observe her just for a couple of sessions. By reading her body language, a trainer will be better able to identify what is triggering her behavior. Hello Larissa,

It is difficult to say for sure from just online communication.

Yes…I think she is kind of…scared of us sometimes…not sure….I think she was feeling so pressured to pee on the pad that she started to hold it….I don’t know

This could be it. What happens when she pees in the house?

With my dogs I find that consistency and clear communication work best. I set up a clear mark and no-mark, and have clear and consistent rules for them. In this way, they know what is expected of them, and what they can expect from me. A fixed routine also helps with my dogs.

When their environment becomes uncertain, they get stressed which can result in various unhealthy behaviors. Here is more on how I train my puppy.

It may also be useful to get a professional trainer to come and observe her just for a couple of sessions. By reading her body language, a trainer will be better able to identify what is triggering her behavior.

]]> By: LARISSA http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-potty-training-facts-and-myths#comment-24936 LARISSA Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:10:51 +0000 http://shibashake.com/shibainublog/dog-potty-training-facts-and-myths/#comment-24936 Hi Shiba, thanks for your reply. Yes, that is very unusual! Well...answering your questions...maybe we can figure it out! Did she do her business after you got home and took her out? Yes she does...but she is not doing it on her pad...she does it specially when we're not around her...or not looking at her...and she does it on the floor, she pees a lot then because she held all day! But when we take her outside she pees and poops too...I think she likes outside...but we were not taking her outside because she still doesn't have all shots and we live on the 34th floor! That's why we wanted her to use the pad....but now that she is holding it...maybe it's better to just start taking her outside? But when we leave her alone in the kitchen all day...there is a pad there and she used to do her business there (both) but now when I get home the pad is clean...there is no signs of pee.... How is her appetite? Does she drink water regularly? Does she have water and food in the kitchen during the day? How is her energy level? We feed her twice a day, 06h45am and 06h45pm. While we are gone for work we just leave a kong in the kitchen with some food so that she can play and also eat during the day...she drinks a lot of water too. She is full of energy and loves to run in the house! It could be a health issue, in which case it would be best to take her to the vet for a checkup. Did something change 10 days ago? Well I think we didn't established a routine...on the weekends when we're home we don't wake up so early and she realizes that we're home...from Mon to Fri she is all by herself...could it be an issue? Did she eat something she shouldn’t have? Sometimes...pieces of paper or anything she finds on the floor...we always try to keep the floor clean. Were there any schedule changes? Yes...a lot...specially on the weekends... Were there changes to the location of the pads and type of pads used? No...not change at all. Any food changes? Same food Are there any other behavioral changes? Yes...I think she is kind of...scared of us sometimes...not sure....I think she was feeling so pressured to pee on the pad that she started to hold it....I don't know :( What do you think? Thanks again!!! Larissa Hi Shiba, thanks for your reply.
Yes, that is very unusual! Well…answering your questions…maybe we can figure it out!

Did she do her business after you got home and took her out? Yes she does…but she is not doing it on her pad…she does it specially when we’re not around her…or not looking at her…and she does it on the floor, she pees a lot then because she held all day! But when we take her outside she pees and poops too…I think she likes outside…but we were not taking her outside because she still doesn’t have all shots and we live on the 34th floor! That’s why we wanted her to use the pad….but now that she is holding it…maybe it’s better to just start taking her outside?
But when we leave her alone in the kitchen all day…there is a pad there and she used to do her business there (both) but now when I get home the pad is clean…there is no signs of pee….

How is her appetite? Does she drink water regularly? Does she have water and food in the kitchen during the day? How is her energy level?
We feed her twice a day, 06h45am and 06h45pm. While we are gone for work we just leave a kong in the kitchen with some food so that she can play and also eat during the day…she drinks a lot of water too. She is full of energy and loves to run in the house!

It could be a health issue, in which case it would be best to take her to the vet for a checkup.

Did something change 10 days ago?
Well I think we didn’t established a routine…on the weekends when we’re home we don’t wake up so early and she realizes that we’re home…from Mon to Fri she is all by herself…could it be an issue?

Did she eat something she shouldn’t have? Sometimes…pieces of paper or anything she finds on the floor…we always try to keep the floor clean.

Were there any schedule changes? Yes…a lot…specially on the weekends…

Were there changes to the location of the pads and type of pads used? No…not change at all.

Any food changes? Same food

Are there any other behavioral changes? Yes…I think she is kind of…scared of us sometimes…not sure….I think she was feeling so pressured to pee on the pad that she started to hold it….I don’t know :(

What do you think?
Thanks again!!!
Larissa

]]> By: shibashake http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-potty-training-facts-and-myths#comment-24903 shibashake Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:27:25 +0000 http://shibashake.com/shibainublog/dog-potty-training-facts-and-myths/#comment-24903 <blockquote>She held it for 9 hours…and is only 3 months old</blockquote> That is very very unusual for a young puppy. Did she do her business after you got home and took her out? How is her appetite? Does she drink water regularly? Does she have water and food in the kitchen during the day? How is her energy level? It could be a health issue, in which case it would be best to take her to the vet for a checkup. Did something change 10 days ago? Did she eat something she shouldn't have? Were there any schedule changes? Were there changes to the location of the pads and type of pads used? Any food changes? Are there any other behavioral changes?

She held it for 9 hours…and is only 3 months old

That is very very unusual for a young puppy. Did she do her business after you got home and took her out? How is her appetite? Does she drink water regularly? Does she have water and food in the kitchen during the day? How is her energy level?

It could be a health issue, in which case it would be best to take her to the vet for a checkup.

Did something change 10 days ago? Did she eat something she shouldn’t have? Were there any schedule changes? Were there changes to the location of the pads and type of pads used? Any food changes? Are there any other behavioral changes?

]]> By: Larissa http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-potty-training-facts-and-myths#comment-24886 Larissa Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:05:01 +0000 http://shibashake.com/shibainublog/dog-potty-training-facts-and-myths/#comment-24886 Hello! My Boston Terrier puppy (14 weeks old now) learnt to use her pads since day one! She was perfect! Smart and was always using the pads only....but since 10 days ago she stopped using the pad...she pees and poops on the floor and her pads were no longer used, I am trying to make her go back to the pads...I don't know what happened...she won't use them anymore....need help please??? Also, she leart to hold it for long periods...she is only 3 months and she can be in her crate during the night (7 hours) with no problems...She stays alone all day confined in the kitchen with toys and the pad (which is about 9 to 10 hours) and for my surprise yesterday she didn't pee or pooped at all!! She held it for 9 hours...and is only 3 months old...is this normal? Could this be related to the fact she is not using the pads anymore? Maybe she is scared? No idea....please help me!! Thanks a lot! :) Hello! My Boston Terrier puppy (14 weeks old now) learnt to use her pads since day one! She was perfect! Smart and was always using the pads only….but since 10 days ago she stopped using the pad…she pees and poops on the floor and her pads were no longer used, I am trying to make her go back to the pads…I don’t know what happened…she won’t use them anymore….need help please??? Also, she leart to hold it for long periods…she is only 3 months and she can be in her crate during the night (7 hours) with no problems…She stays alone all day confined in the kitchen with toys and the pad (which is about 9 to 10 hours) and for my surprise yesterday she didn’t pee or pooped at all!! She held it for 9 hours…and is only 3 months old…is this normal? Could this be related to the fact she is not using the pads anymore? Maybe she is scared? No idea….please help me!! Thanks a lot! :)

]]> By: shibashake http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-potty-training-facts-and-myths#comment-23977 shibashake Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:47:02 +0000 http://shibashake.com/shibainublog/dog-potty-training-facts-and-myths/#comment-23977 Hello Matt, Does she do her business in the house when you are around, or only when you are out? If it is only when there is nobody home, then it could be because of separation anxiety. My Shiba, Sephy, gets very anxious whenever there are any changes to his routine. In the beginning, we would just go away for a few seconds and then come back. Then once he was comfortable with that, and started ignoring our shenanigans, we slowly extended our away time. Here is more on my experiences with separation anxiety- http://shibashake.com/dog/separation-anxiety-dog-why-how-reduce-dog-stress Hello Matt,

Does she do her business in the house when you are around, or only when you are out? If it is only when there is nobody home, then it could be because of separation anxiety.

My Shiba, Sephy, gets very anxious whenever there are any changes to his routine. In the beginning, we would just go away for a few seconds and then come back. Then once he was comfortable with that, and started ignoring our shenanigans, we slowly extended our away time.

Here is more on my experiences with separation anxiety-
http://shibashake.com/dog/separation-anxiety-dog-why-how-reduce-dog-stress

]]> By: Matt http://shibashake.com/dog/puppy-potty-training-facts-and-myths#comment-23907 Matt Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:14:43 +0000 http://shibashake.com/shibainublog/dog-potty-training-facts-and-myths/#comment-23907 I have a 5 month shiba and she cries whenever she wants to go outside & does great with that. But at night I'll taker her out and she will do her business, even have her on a schedule for feeding. But she still does her business in the house. We will not even be gone for too long like 2-4 hours and she still does it. I dont know what else to do. I keep her in an enclosed area with a piddle pad. She will sometimes pee on the pad then rip it up. Anything else I can do to help her get better about doing her business in the house? It's becoming very frustrating. I have a 5 month shiba and she cries whenever she wants to go outside & does great with that. But at night I’ll taker her out and she will do her business, even have her on a schedule for feeding. But she still does her business in the house. We will not even be gone for too long like 2-4 hours and she still does it. I dont know what else to do. I keep her in an enclosed area with a piddle pad. She will sometimes pee on the pad then rip it up. Anything else I can do to help her get better about doing her business in the house? It’s becoming very frustrating.

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