Apartment Puppy Training

[Mike n Mandy]

Hello everyone,

We're very excited to be getting our newest addition to the family in early January. As we're getting everything prepared and creating our plan, I came across a question. We live on the second floor of an apartment building. We plan on potty training outside, as we have the time to commit and make sure it's done correctly. We want to avoid using papers because we feel that it trains the pup that going inside is ok. However, since we're in an apartment, what are your opinions on risk v reward of taking the pup out without the full assortment of Parvo/other vaccinations? We would be diligent in making sure the business is done in the same spot, and that he is picked up and carried inside after - but is that enough? Opinions would be greatly appreciated :)

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Are there other dogs there? I'd ask the vet your local parvo rate,. If you decide that you don't want him to touch ground, they make those fake grass potty spots too. Maybe you could leave it outside and cover it well when you are not using it. Check on chewy.com . Good luck n enjoy him!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Just remembered something that might help. With Rippley we used an ex-pen to secure a small area for him to potty train, and eliminate solely in that area. If your building gives you permission, maybe you can do this too. That way he will have a designated and clean "spot." Just a thought... :)

[Mike n Mandy]

Cindy,

That's a good idea, I'll definitely ask the complex about that. There are definitely other dogs around, it is a very pet-friendly facility, which is why I'd be weary of leaving my own homemade grass spot outside. We did think about putting one on the balcony, but not sure he would understand that that is not part of the apartment. I will definitely contact my very about the local parvo rate though. Thanks!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

I've read that dogs understand boundaries such as gates, doors, stepping over curb as a boundary, different surfaces, etc. so, I think he would think of your balcony as separate. If you are running him out every two hours and at 5 am (vs. from the 2nd floor) then balcony may be your preference. But, a trainer advised us about using the expen in our yard, and it was great! Now at 8 mos he goes in his spot (minus the pen) and then we go on our walk. I like getting bathroom duty out of the way first, then having a nice walk without "waiting" for it. Everything you do now is prep for future habits. Sounds like you are already off to a good start. Best,

[Rebecca bratter]

We house trained Madiba from 8 weeks in our 12th floor apartment and we now live in a 2 story walk up.  No problems and no issues, we had only about 1 month during which we had the occasional accident and it was always pee, only one poo accident during her first week.  We used the papers with no lingering effect.  It really actually helped to train her about demarcating territory.  Also in the beginning when they are peeing everywhere, it really helps clean up if they go on the papers.  We took her outside right from the beginning, we lived in a very dog conscious area and we took her to a spot right outside our building until she got all her shots.  They need to learn to hold it until they get outside right from the start.  I would as someone else suggested, ask around and find your spot.  We also started with the poochie bells from day one, that didn't take her long at all to learn to ring them.  Dogs can segregate behavior sometimes, like Madiba was allowed to go inside at her daycare and they assured us that behavior would never carry back home and they were right.  So I wouldn't worry about using papers in the beginning.  You're getting a doodle, they'll be trained in no time.  Any effort you put in to do it right in the beginning, will be your reward in about a month.  

[Mike n Mandy]

Thanks Rebecca! We too plan on using the bells, I think that is the best idea. I also think that as long as you are consistent, it is something that can be picked up quickly - as you said. I believe that we're going to give it a go at finding "our spot" outside. Since we have the ability to take our pup outside very frequently, even throughout the day, I think it'd be best. I was more so concerned about parvo, since the complex does seem to have a lot of dogs. As long as our vet believes that we can manage the risk of parvo by keeping a spot and carrying to and from, we'll be giving that a shot. Hopefully, our area parvo rate is low enough to ease my anxiety.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Yes and keep in mind that first pee/poo of the morning sets the stage for daily pee and poos! Try to get that one done at "the spot" most importantly. :-). Do you have Nature's Miracle yet? That is a safe purchase, too. Have fun!

[Jess & Stewart]

I live on the third floor of an apartment building in Philadelphia. My vet told me to be cautious until the second round of shots, which wasn't too long after I got Stew. I got him before Thanksgiving last year so I was worried about the cold, being out late at night etc. I got a fresh patch from Amazon delivered to my apartment and put it on my deck. I used that for about 2 weeks, although I did walk around the city with Stew in my arms or in a small carrier so he'd get used to the sights/sounds. He used the potty bells to ring my back door onto the deck and one day I just switched them to the front door and he would ring them. I took him right outside my apartment to a large patch of mulch and that was his spot until he was 7-8 months. Then he suddenly stopped going on command and became picky about his spot. He still goes pretty quickly & has about 2 spots close to my apt where he'll go. I also use Cindy's method of a walk as the reward for going. He gets a treat for going and then the walk starts.

I'd reinforce going on command with whatever method you choose. It got frustrating with Stew for awhile when he wouldn't go on command & I'd start our walk instead of standing in a spot waiting for him to go.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If you decide to take the pup outside, I would carry it down and out for a while - faster for you and less chance of them going before they get to their spot.

[Michele Kiss]

We had a similar issue. We live in a three-story-plus-roof-deck townhouse, which is on the fourth floor and a LONG hallway and elevator ride away from "outside." So, even putting aside vaccinations etc, the walk to get outside was WAY too long to expect a little pup to hold it till we got outside. 

We bought a "Porch Potty" with live grass (they deliver it 1x/month) and it lives up on our roof deck. (You could also put it inside, or on a balcony, etc. I have even recommended to a friend to put it in his garage during Chicago winter.) We taught Fenway to go there, but also to go outside when out on walks. I think it being real grass helped. (It comes with artificial, but we wanted to train him on real grass, and choose to still use it - he's 10mo now.) 

He has had zero issues transferring learning on the Porch Potty to going outside. If anything, he will still go on the Porch Potty, but he prefers to go out on a walk, in the bushes or in a grassy spot he chooses. It worked perfectly to potty train him to go outside, and meant we didn't use papers.