Accidents while away

[Cori, Cali, and Riley]

Hi All!

My puppy Riley just turned 12 weeks.  Overall she's doing pretty well with potty training.  I use the bells and while she does have the occasional accident, she's doing pretty well.  Not perfect yet.  We crate her at night to sleep and she sleeps through the night with no accidents or fussing in the crate.  We noticed though that she was very unhappy in the crate when we put her in there while we were going to be gone for a couple hours.  We have another doodle so I thought maybe she was just mad Cali got run of the house while she didn't.  We got a baby gate and over the weekend tried putting her in our back room with Cali so she had more space to run around while we were not home.  It's all tile back there with nothing for her to really ruin so we thought it was a good solution.  Cali seemed much happier having a pal while we were away too.  We were never gone for more than 2 hours throughout the weekend so I know she could hold it, but she had several accidents.  The first time we thought she was maybe scared being in a new situation.  She didn't have an accident every time, but 3 or 4 times from Friday-Sunday while we were away.  In her crate she would never have an accident, just cry while we were away.  Do you think we need to just wait it out and assume she's still young and will get over having accidents, or should we not give her the privilege of not being crated while we're not home?  During the week she comes to work with me so it's only the weekend when my husband and I go out for short bits of time.  Thanks!  

[Gail and Bailey]

My guess is that Riley just gets too excited playing with Cali while you are gone... and she has accidents.  When she is in her crate she is calm.  She is still so young and will be much safer and feel more secure in her crate for now. Maybe Cali could be left in a part of the house where they can't see each other while you are gone.  I am sure that once Riley is several months older and she is used to playing with Cali all the time they will be able to be left alone together with no accidents.  I still crate my pup when we leave (she is 15 months) because I know she is safe and secure.  Riley is soooo cute!!! Love that little face!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Riley is very young. She is just a baby and you probably cannot assume she will be totally trustworthy with potty training until she is at least 4 or 5 months. Preventing accidents is the best way to train rather than cleaning up a mess. She needs to know that going potty in the house is not an option. Every accident reinforces the opposite concept you are working toward. The crate is the safest place to keep doodles regardless of age but I have let mine have the freedom of the house at about one year. She is sure a cutie! 

[Cori, Cali, and Riley]

Thanks guys! I was just worried about her crying/yelping while in the crate when we're away. At night she's fine, but she hates it when we put her in there while away. Her crate is in our bedroom which Cali has access to, but I think she leaves when Riley started barking whining in there. You're right though, she is probably too young to have this freedom yet. Hopefully when she's a little older the two doodles can be together with no accidents! :)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Yes, she will grow up faster than you can imagine! It can feel so slow during house breaking but when she's a year old you will have a hard time remembering when she wasn't housebroken.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

OMD, she is so cute. It probably is the playing with Cali and being so excited. She is young to have completely learned the rules in all situations.

[Cori, Cali, and Riley]

Thank you- it's hard get mad at a face like that! :)

I agree, she does love her sister, and they play like crazy.  

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

She might complain when you first put her in her crate during the day, but settle down and quietly go to sleep once you have left the house.  I agree that it's wiser to keep her confined to her crate when you go out, as accidents will teach her that it's okay to eliminate in the house.

[Cori, Cali, and Riley]

Thanks for the advice.  We'll stick to the crate for Riley girl for awhile.  We'll be happier not cleaning up her messes!  Happy Halloween from my girls!