Male potty training & female potty training...? Is there a is difference..?

[Marcia Stevens]

I need some help...! I have only had experience in potty training female dogs. I now have a 5 month old male that needs to learn some manners...he doesn't seem to "get it"...he pees whenever, wherever, while he's walking, playing, sitting, and just plain looking cute....! I think he's got it...then I'll see him pee just right in front of me while wagging his sweet little tail....help!

[Adina P]

Oh yeah...the excitement pee you can't do anything about other than wait it out (age wise) and try to ignore him upon greetings. Teach him how to ring the bell to go out...when he finally starts to realize -- "Oh yeah...peeing is for the outdoors" then he'll have a way to tell you.

[Marcia Stevens]

I have heard about using a bell when they have to go outside....maybe I should try that...he is such a sweet boy otherwise...just a gentle soul....We'll just take each day as it comes.....
Thanks for all your advice...!

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Hi Marcia,
When little guys mom came to us she was unaccustomed to being indoors all the time, it took a lot of work after several years of learned behavior but it did happen and in a fairly brief time frame. I am at a loss for the exact source of what is going on as while he did have an occasional accident here, he was not a frequent offender. On the other hand with all of the pups and big furry friends here, they all were constantly at the door to romp with each other in the back yard. They would run themselves so much they would come into the kitchen to drink, eat and pass out on the floor. After a little nappy they were right back at it.

In regards to the bells, we do have some here so he does know what they are. I got some of the big Christmas bells and they hang low next to the sliding door behind the drapes. Everytime we walk out that door to potty I hit the bells if they do not and use a very excited voice about going outside to potty. Even when they are not the ones ringing the bells they do begin to associate it with going outside. Something else I have just recently read is not to rush them back in after they have done their business outside if they enjoy being out, sometimes they associate having to go back inside when doing their thing outside. You may also want to consider tethering him to you for a couple of days when you are home and he is out of his crate with you.

All that said I will say that he does have a sister - of course the one I am keeping, that I would describe exactly as you said a casual pee-er. Sometimes she reminds me of my son when he was younger getting so caught up in what he was doing that he would literally forget about the bathroom until it was or was almost too late. She has come a long way and tethering has been most effective.

I will continue to look for tips and solutions with you. You have gotten some great input and are sure to continue to receive it. It has been my own experience that boys are usually easier than girls in puppy form. The day will come before you know it when you are offering advice to the next one who comes along with this question.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

One more thing I thought of. I had a boy about a year ago that went the minute he got out the door, wasn't even in the yard yet. I started walking him out on a leash following the other dogs to their 'spot'. For a VERY short couple of days if he went elsewhere in the yard I picked it up with a shovel and moved it to the area I wanted him to go. I also fussed big time over the other dogs when they went their with him all the while observing - it was not long before he got the idea and wanted to get in on the praise.

[Marcia Stevens]

Thanks Dianne....I will definitely try the bells.....Kodie and the pup spend a good part of the day outdoors, and I let them in when they seem to be getting too hot. Kodie uses the small lawn area we have to do "all" of her business....I am trying to teach the pup to go in the same general area...as he really loves to go everywhere in the backyard...door mats, lounge chairs, sandbox, plants,pavers,pool coping...it doesn't seem to matter...wherever he is when he gets the urge...it just flows. With Kodie I could tell when she was going to go, she would start to squat, but with this little man...he almost just stands and goes....he's even peed on my foot.
He really drinks a lot of water....that may have something to do with it...and, he's only been here 6 days.....he is a sweetheart..! We really do love him..!
Thanks for all your help!

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Oh boy ~ pullups for dogs? Seriously though I know what you mean about the boy squatters, all of ours do and often there is not a drastic change in their stance to observe.

[Marcia Stevens]

Well...so far today...no accidents....he holds it all night for about 8-9 hours......
Yes, for me, that is the hardest part....trying to fugure out if he's standing, or peeing....but, by the time I figure out "what" he's doing...it's too late. We need to just take one day at a time....thanks again!

[Marcia Stevens]

Thanks...I'll look into Poochie bells....

[GBK]

Are you cleaning up his urine stains with an enzyme cleaner product? If he still smells his pee pee in the house he will think it is ok to keep going there.

Might want to rule out a bladder infection too if he is really urinating a lot.

My male trained faster than my female, she would squat anywhere and let it go too! I would watch the time when she would have an accident and make sure the next day we would go outside about 15 minutes earlier than her accident the day before. Bells didn't work for me, they rang it anytime they wanted outside for play, it sounded like Christmas everyday LOL

[Marcia Stevens]

Yes, I was thinking about regulating the water also...but, he has realized that there is a pool with LOTS of water in it...! I'm sure it's not that great for him to drink....it is a salt water pool...so, that may be better..? or, worse....??
Now, I'm trying to figure out how to keep him from drinking the pool water.....I have been keeping him inside more, just so he won't drink so much...and, watching him like a hawk when he is outside...that is the only option I think I have.
Thanks for your comment....!