I just got a puppy about 3 days ago. She's about 3-4 months old and I don't think she's ever used the bathroom outside. I feed her and my other dog as soon as I wake up and let them out. She holds her pee until she comes inside then immediately pees on the floor. It doesn't matter how long I leave her outside she wont pee or poop. I can't give her a reward for doing it correctly because she hasn't. Any time I see her peeing on the floor I clap my hands and say no! She acts as if she knows she wasn't supposed to pee on the floor but keeps doing it! I hold her face towards the urine and spank her back legs and put her outside. She just sits on the porch and comes inside and "gos" again.... This is becoming very discouraging. She seems to just not be getting it at all. When my other dog is outside she leaves the porch but wont potty. She just plays. Then comes inside and sneaks off and pees again. I'm out of ideas. Please please please help!!
Trixie2013-02-08T12:58:23Z
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Keep her on the leash when you come inside. Wait for her to begin her peeing, then walk her out again. Then reward her. Continue this until she pees outside, then reward her.
You can also watch for a "potty dance." Circling, sniffing and whining are all signs that she is about to go, and you can take her out on a leash. If she doesn't go outside, take her inside on the leash, then take her right back out if she starts to pee inside.
I can actually understand your frustration with the puppy because I went through this a few weeks ago with a puppy my brother couldn't manage to potty train. A couple of tricks you can try: Move the food bowl outside and let the dogs eat out there. In most cases I would not suggest doing that because in theory a dog will not mess where it eats, however since the puppy is quite used to doing that it should not be a problem. Stay outside with the dog for the first morning or two and wait for it to use the bathroom, rewarding it when it does. If you are outside and the food is outside it might force the dog to use the bathroom outside. Make sure you take the dog food away after 15-20 mins so the dog will run around and explore the yard, running will help to "relax" the puppy. Do this each time you feed the dog for several days, limiting how much it eats, drinks and how long it is outside. It took about 4 days for my brothers dog to catch on but she has not has an accident in a week now.
Never punish her for having accidents, for 2 reasons: First reason is that she is too young and new to your home so she doesn't know better. Second reason is that it can be misinterpreted by a dog (not all dogs, but some dogs, and in this case, Your dog). *Some* dogs think they get punished for going potty AT ALL, not understanding that WHERE they went was bad. Fixing this while she's still this young is better, but it is now harder to correct after what she has already been through. When inside you need to keep a constant eye on her. Take her out frequently (no matter how inconvenient it is for you, or other house members). When she does go outside properly you reward her enthusiastically, verbally and with high reward treats (meat, cheese, eggs, etc.) No matter how inconvenient it may be, please be consistent. This is only a short investment now for years of enjoyment when she is perfectly trained in the future. BTW, even when you think they do know better, it is normal to have accidents until they are at least a year old. (even then it depends on many factors to expect a dog to be 100% housebroken).
8 Steps to House training a Puppy 1 - The first thing to remember about house training a puppy is they can not hold themselves long. Rule of thumb is 1 hour for each month old. Therefore a 3 month old pup should be able to control himself/ herself for 3 hours.
2 - The second thing to remember is you take the pup out, on a leash, to be walked. Not send the pup out. You have to be there when pooch does the deed so you can praise the pup, right then. Let the pup know it is a job well done. Throw a real praise party! There are key times a pup needs to be taken out. When pooch wakes up from any sleep time & at bed time. After eating and/or drinking. After playing, exercise stimulates the "need to go."
3 - Plus there are the odd times when a pups gotta do what a pups gotta do. You have to learn the pups behavior when looking for the spot to go. Pups should not have the run of the house till pooch is trained. You should keep the pup in the room with you so you can keep an eye on pooch. When you see the search, get 'em outside. If you catch the pup making a pile or puddle, just say "NO!", pick pooch up and get 'em outside. Use an enzyme cleaner (Natures Miracle or Simple Solutions)(pet store) to clean up. Do not let the pup see you cleaning up, it gives them the idea that is your job. Outside is okay, just not inside. If you find a puddle or pile after the fact, clean it up with an enzyme cleaner (pet food store) get a newspaper and hit.... yourself in the head and say "I should have been paying more attention." Do not try to punish a pup after the fact. They will NOT get it.
4 - You have to be diligent & consistent. I can not stress that enough so let me repeat. You have to be diligent & consistent. If you do your job the pup will catch on pretty quick.
5 - You need to keep pooch contained at night. Either crate or put the pup in a bathroom. But remember the 1 hour rule. You should get up and take 'em out at night.
6 - You can also teach the pup to go on command by picking the word you will use for each function, when the pup is about to go repeat the word till the pup starts going then tell 'em what a good boy/girl they are.
7 - You can also teach them to ring a bell when they need to go by mounting one low on the door frame and ring it with the pups foot when you go out.
8 - Last thing, never, ever rub your pups nose in their waste. Besides being nasty it only tells the pup you want pooch to ingest the waste. Also, never, ever hit a dog. That will only tell the dog you are not to be trusted. So, these are the 8 Steps to House training a Puppy Good luck!
You need to stay outside with your pup as long as it takes for her to decide to go potty. It may take a few hours the first time, but you have to do it. When she finally goes, give her LOTS of praise!!! You will have to keep this up for a couple weeks to fully potty train her. You can't give up and go inside, that doesnt teach her anything except that its okay to go inside. Stay out with her as long as it takes for her to go.