Housetraining a new puppy

I disagree that it is because you share the dog Bobbydog24. We did too and after all, a dog needs to know he can't toilet in ANY house not just his own.

I think some dogs just take longer to get the message. We crated ours for the first 6 months, which does help as they don't like to toilet too near to where they are sleeping. If it is too late to introduce this, then you just need to persevere.

Generally smaller dogs are harder than larger dogs because of the size of their bladders but before anyone starts shouting about how young theirs were, it doesn't always follow. I also believe some dogs can be trained at 8/10 weeks especially those crate trained. Many more are not - just like children.

Poodles are very intelligent dogs and should get the message soon.

How lovely to hear about all these puppies and acknowledge that, just like our children, they are not always perfect!
Our latest boy puppy came to us at 8 weeks and was pretty much trained at the time using the command "busy" which apparently is one used by the guide dog trainers. He never has an accident but does hundreds of little wees on his walk.
Our previous girl dog was a nightmare and I hate to say was never reliable. As a puppy we would practise for hours on end and instruct her to perform, all to no avail. She would wee the minute we came back indoors. Sometimes I would shut her in the garage while I mopped up the accident and during that time she would wee again on purpose. Carpets, mats, tiles, wood floors ... the lot! We even had her tested by the vet for incontinence which wasn't the case because she could go dry all night and for stretches of 8 hours at a time if we went out for the day.
What I am saying is,occasionally there is no rhyme nor reason and no explanation. Just persevere with all the good tips on here and something will happen. And be prepared to have a season ticket at the carpet department in John Lewis if the task becomes impossible!

You should train your puppy from the start. Crate training is a good idea to start with. In a few weeks you should be able to introduce him to the outdoors toilet. A misfortune may happen, your dog could pee on your carpet, be ready for this. I would recommend reading an article doggolab.com/how-to-get-dog-pee-out-of-carpet/. Also after training, you may use special repellents for your home to prevent the pet from peeing indoors.

Puppies are babies they can only take in a small amount at a time and at eight weeks it is too early to expect a trained dog. They still are in the sleep wake pee poop eat stage.
On waking up straight outside, say be good wait for a wee wee, then lots of praise. The same every hour, a pup will start to walk backwards as an indication they are ready to void bladder or bowel. Lots of praise is needed lots of fuss.
By the time they are 12-14 weeks they will be getting it but still making mistakes if left too long. A responsible breeder won't let a pup go until 10-12 weeks. Keep persevering you are doing all the right things. Maybe you could keep the pup until it is 16 weeks old and give it continuity of training it will still go happily to its owner afterwards, but you will be sad. Good luck

Of course you can overdo it. Our dog now 9 was trained to “go” only on walks. He has recently had gall bladder problems and also we eventually found an allergy to chicken. But I have spent the winter dressing more than once at any time between midnight and morning and trogging out with torch and poo bags as he was desperate and couldn’t go in the garden.

I’ve had a puppy totally housetrained at 12 weeks and one who took 5 months. I used exactly the same training with both.
It’s much easier in fine weather, with the back door open all day. Going out hourly is sometimes too long between wees.
The all get there in the end. Unless they’re dachshunds.

IMO bitches are easier to house-train than male dogs.

But plenty of dogs wee indoors if unhappy.. Moving to a new home can certainly have that effect.

Our little Zuchon was nearly 18 months old before we could honestly say she was housetrained. However now, at nearly 5 years she holds her wee overnight from 7pm to 9am the next morning - wish I had her bladder control!

We got a puppy last year and she wasn't house trained at 14 weeks!
We just keep going and eventually she got the hang of it!
We wer thinking there was something wrong and were considering getting her checked out at the vets and it just suddenly clicked!
Don't despair, it'll come!

We have a 7yr old shih tzu and when we got her at 20wks old she hadn't been house trained and honestly it took ages. We did use a crate for when we went out or when we were busy and didn't have time to keep a close eye on her. I don't think a crate is cruel, as long as a dog has a comfy bed and can stand up and turn around in it they usually feel very safe and comfortable in them. I'm sure I read someone about a lot of puppies doing what they call a 'double pee', so they go outside and do one, get lots of praise, come inside the house and within minutes do another one. They do get better and I'm sure you'll soon have her house trained.

Brigidsdaughter try one of these when walking a reactive dogs. It’s handfree and should be worn just below your waist. I’m assuming this dog is wearing a harness not just a collar?

Agree about distracting too.

Hi joe1960, your post just goes to show that there are exceptions, when it comes to house training. Your German Shephered cross was a clever little thing!
By the way they are one of my favourite breeds, I had a Gs bitch and she was amazingly clever and just the best dog ever.
I have a Lab cross now, she's 15 and still going strong. Btw she was a nightmare to housetrain although she came from a private home and was with her Mother until 8 weeks.
They're all different and they all get there in the end. ?

Thanks Sodapop
Will try that!

Took my intelligent, but stubborn, schipperke two years to stop having middle of night wees in kitchen, despite all my efforts. Then he was amazing. Just decided not to pee overnight.

Hi Bambam, when I was 10 we got an 8 week old German Shepherd, black Labrador cross dog puppy. He was amazing, only wee'd once in the house and that was by the back door, on his first morning with us. He never did it again, just seemed to know what we wanted. My mum said she'd never come across such an easy pup. He had been in kennels with his mum and hadn't had previous house training. My daughter was given a two year old collie who, as a failed working dog, had always lived outside in kennel. He never made a mess in the house and settled into house life as if he'd done it all his life. Unfortunately my black lab wasn't a paragon like the aforementioned, he took a wee while to learn what was expected of him.

I am one of those owners who did have a perfect pup. Brought her home at 12 weeks from house where Mum and Dad were pets. When the adult dogs went out so did the pups. The pups eventually just followed not having to be placed or taken outside. Never had a mishap day or night. Apparently all the pups responded the same with their new owners. No whimpering at night either. Shows it can be done.

As usual Gransnetters have given out valuable and sensible advice. I have taken on board everything posted and will use it when needed. Who needs Google. Many thanks. XX

Caro57 go busy was our command as puppy and still use it when I am in a hurry and my little dog is nearly eight now and praise praise praise when they r little with tiny treat which u can stop when they r clean good luck u will do it in the end

Distract him Brigidsdaughter take some treats and make him look at you when another dog is approaching then reward him when he ignores the dog. It's difficult of course when its not your dog.
I've never used puppy pads either Bobbydog I think its confusing for the dog.
srn63 is right, its a lot of work training a puppy but when mature your dog will bring you much pleasure.

Great topic. Dogsitting two adorable dogs for a few weeks. Nice but very dim 3 year old cockapoo Cockapoo barks loudly and strains on the lead at the sight of another dog. So...long walks on the common can only be near dusk when less busy. Help!!

Our last dog was a rescue and he never did wee or poo in the house from day one. It's a bit difficult putting puppy outside straight after an accident and leaving him there for a bit as I have said earlier, we have quite a large plot of land so god knows where he'd disappear to. I have to have him on an extendable lead when I take him out. Up to now today he has had wees and a poo outside but I am taking him out every 45 minutes.

There is nothing wrong with indicating to the puppy your displeasure when he poos or wees in the house.

A sharp ‘No!’ and take him straight outside and leave him there while you clean up. Then when you allow him back in no reprimands, that is over and done with. I have three rescue dogs and none of them messed in the house after the first couple of days.

Lots of praise yes, treats, when they perform outside.

PS never use puppy pads

Our late female dog was housetrained when we got her from a refuge and never ever had an accident in the house. Our new male little dog who is 7 came to us after a marriage break up in the family. He was obviously housetrained but had been left for hours on his own so I can only assume he must have weed in the house sometimes. I don’t know if his new home unsettled him but the first few weeks he weed and pooped everywhere. He has settled down but we still get the odd accident and unlike the other dog he never goes to the back door if he needs to go out. So we have to remember to take him out every couple of hours. I don’t know if it’s just a male thing?

You will soon get to know the signs that he needs to go he is still very young and has such a small bladder,pick him up after every drink and feed and put outside and don't allow him back until you are sure he has been one way or another then give him a big fuss and doggy treat.
This worked well with Dolly who is now 9mths old she was awful to start with I used to follow her with a mop and disinfectant spray she finally cottoned on when she was about 5/6 mths and now she gets up at certain times and heads for the door,we are lucky we have a large cat flap and she can just about get herself through it we will be leaving the back kitchen door open for her during the summer months.

Teach him the word "toilet". Take him outside and say "go toilet" and when he does reward and praise him. This will be useful throughout his life. When he is indoors and looks like he wants to go grab him, take him outside and do the "go toilet" routine.