Hi all,
My 5 month old Duncan took to housetraining really well. I brought him home March 21 and within a few weeks we barely had an accident. I work from home and was taking him out every 1-2 hours though. I've been trying to push the time between potty trips. We are almost at 3 hours now (although today had an accident at just shy of 3 hours) but since i work from home Duncan doesn't get crated much during the day (maybe an hour or 2) and i'm wondering if that might be the reason we can't get past the 3 hours. I know they say at 5 months he should be able to go at least 5 hours but not sure if that is only an overnight estimate. Overnight he goes from 11pm-6:30am without having to go potty. Also, now that he is getting the idea to wait by the door when he has to go we get some trips outside that are only 30 - 40 minutes apart. 90% of the time he does go although sometimes i think he really just wanted to chase leaves.
Sally the hour rule is based on time a pup can hold its bladder in a crate. So at 5 months he should be able to be left in a crate for 5 hours if he pees/poos before crate time.
Honestly I'm incredibly AMAZED that he's holding it 3 hours in the house!!! That is HUGE! My Rosco (now 3 y.o.) I swear had a bladder the size of a grape because even at 5 months I could take him out every 30 minutes and he'd pee...it was a loooong house training adventure for us. So 3 hours is probably better than MANY pups.
I wouldn't push it...when pups play or chew or run around they stimulate their bladder more. So while they are free in the house I think 3 hours is more than plenty to hold it.
Adina,
I have to say that you have been a great source of info. Since i joined this site a week ago i've been reading lots of old posts and have stumbled upon many of your replies. I appreciate the time you take to reply with such informative words. I am planning to use my crate more during the day. Even when i'm home. I do want Duncan to get used to his alone time. He could be drop dead tired and as soon as i place him in the crate he sits at attention with big eyes and waits to be "set free" or sometimes he will lay down but still be alert and anxious. Lord knows it will be easier to get my chores done too! Thanks again.
I think he is doing really good. Angel is almost 6 months and if she has freedom inside I have to take her out every hour to hour and a half. She doesn't ask and I don't test it. I just take her out like clock work. Before 5 months we used to take her out every 30 minutes. But if I am running errands in the morning I can crate her for up to 4 hours and she is fine. She relaxes and sleeps. But when we are home and she is inside she rarely sleeps. Constant activity and she needs to relieve herself more often.