Potty training my puppy in the bitter cold...?

Try moving the pad away from his food -- dogs don't like to potty where they eat or sleep. Here are some potty training instructions, you'll need to modify them slightly because you aren't taking him outside at the moment.

First off, confine him when you can't supervise. I can't stress enough the importance of this. For potty training, use a crate that is only big enough for her/him to comfortably stand, lie, and turn around in. He should not be able to potty in one end and lie down in the other. Make sure he's not confined for too long -- generally the age in months plus one hours (so 5 hours for a 4 month old pup).

Every time you take him out of his crate take him outside. He should be on a leash. You should go through the same door every time. Take him to where you want him to potty and start repeating his potty command until he finishes. Then treat him and let him play or go for a walk.

Put food and water on a schedule. Give 20 minutes to eat and then pick food up until next scheduled meal. Give water every hour (or when he's obviously thirsty.) By scheduling meals and water, you are able to predict when he will need to relieve himself. Put him on leash and take him out.

Watch for behaviors that tell you he needs to go out: circling, squatting, sniffing,crouching, ....

I have clients who tell me their puppies won't go while they are outside, only to come inside and make a mess on the floor! If you find this to be a problem, give him a reasonable amount of time outside and if he doesn't go confine him for 15 minutes when you come back inside. At the end of that time, take him back out. Repeat this process until he goes. By doing this, you are teaching him that he will earn his freedom by pottying where it's appropriate.

Lastly, basic obedience training really can help. It clarifies leadership for your dog (and sometimes for the owners as well :) )

I'm with you. I live in Illinois (Quad Cities),and when

I brought home my puppy,the wind chill was -20 degrees.It has been like this off and on ever since. I am using puppy pads for now,and in a few weeks when spring gets closer and it is not so dangerous to be outside we will begin the real potty training.I know it will be harder this way,but I see no other way.

What they said about not putting the puppy pad in the crate is true,also,not near the food. Good luck!

You are making a few mistakes. You do NOT want to put puppy pads near where he eats.. That goes against instinct to eat where you crap.

You do not want a puppy pad in the crate, You are teaching him it is okay to pee/poop in the crate.

You will need to take him out, once, maybe twice thru the night. He cannot hold it all night long yet.

Go outside with him when he goes and encourage him to pee.. Praise him when he does.

What I use to do to praise my dog Benny was to Give him a treat everytime he did good outside. I used treats that I used to train him in obediance school, so It was something he really wanted and loved. They will work for them, trust me.