Potty training

[Courtney]

Hi!  We just picked up our doodle on Saturday.  She's only 8 weeks so still pretty little.  I think potty training is going well, but maybe that's just because I'M trained in taking her out so often.  :)  How often should I be taking her outside to go potty?  I'm probably giving her an opportunity about once an hour.  However, I'm wondering if she will ever learn to 'hold it', if I continue taking her out this frequently.  Is that something to worry about in a few weeks when she's a bit older?  She's doing well at night.  Last night I let her out around 11:00, got up at 1:00 (not because she woke me but because I set an alarm to let her out) and then she woke me up at 6:30.  How did you have success with daytime potty training? 

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

If I were you, I would not set an alarm/train her that 1am is potty time. Good news, right!?! :) If she has to go and lets you know, that is different. You may be underestimating her though, cause lots of these guys can hold it through the night (10pm-5am) by 8 weeks. During the day, we gave him the opportunity every two hours, with very close supervision. We extended that as he grew. Have fun and good luck!! Best,

[Courtney]

Thank you!  I will happily not set an alarm tonight.  :)  I spoke too soon.  She has peed twice inside within the last hour.  She only has access to the kitchen, but apparently that is too much room. I just set up an ex pen and put her in there for now. 

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

VERY close supervision and Natures Miracle, lol! ;-). Wait, she is crated at night, right?

[Amy and Annabelle]

I think an hour is pretty darn good for a little 8 week old. I brought my little girl home at 10 weeks. I started taking her out every 15-20 minutes the first few days until I knew how long she could hold it. For the first 4 months she had to pee within the first 10 minutes after drinking her water. Now at almost 8 months she can hold it longer before she has to go out. I didn't have water sitting out for her to get whenever she wanted to either in the beginning. I wanted to monitor her and figure out what her habits were first. Plus you learn to pick up on their potty signals. I was more in tune to her than my husband was. She had some accidents with him early on because he couldn't read her signals or more likely wasn't paying attention to them.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

One more thing you may want to consider starting if you haven't already is training her to go potty on command. Rip is almost a year old and he now goes whenever I tell him the command, which has been so useful. We started when he was eight weeks. When she does go potty (outside), say repeatedly and soothingly, "good potty!" (Or whatever words you choose) every time and then treat (in the beginning we treated for going potty where/when we wanted him to go). Eventually she will pair your words with the act. We didn't try using the command until he was about five months and we had training well secured.
BtW you may want to ask your breeder how often she was taking them out. Ours told us he could manage two to two and a half hours, so that's why we did that. Best,

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Every 45 min to an hr is perfect...AND, Immediately after waking from a nap. You will soon learn her signs....as time progresses you can lengthen the time. Also, many of these guys are " double pee'ers". They don't empty their bladder on the first pee, you bring them in and then an accident occurs. Giving the command to " go" or whatever word you want to use, is a great help. Enzo pees on command wherever we are....a great help when you are in a rush or the real estate is running out when you are out somewhere! ;). I too would not set an alarm...if she wakes fine...but no use in getting up if you don't have to. Pick up water around 7ish and bring her out just before you go to bed. She may surprise you and sleep through to 5 or 6. Potty bells are another great help. Hang a pair of bells on the door you exit to bring her out. Have her paw or nose the bells each and every time you go out for potty ( not play times). Enzo picked up on this really fast....faster than the potty training ;).