Potty Training Newbie

[Tracy A]

Mousse is my first dog ever, so I'm learning as I go, and would love any advice!  My concern is about potty training.  Mousse has done great with being in his crate at night, and from the first night he sleeps straight through from 11-6. My breeder told me not to get him up until the time I want to get up every day, so I get him up at 7:30.  He barks a little at 6, but I ignore him and he stops until 7:30 now.  The first week he didn't pee in the crate at all over night, but then I started noticing him peeing on the towel I put in the crate. Btw,  The crate has a divider so he only has enough room to turn around and lay down. I bring him with me to work, and have been trying to be diligent about taking him outside after naps, playing eating / drinking, and I feel like I'm taking him out every hour at least.  If I let him roam around my downstairs, he will pee or poop if he gets out of my sight, and it isn't RIGHT after I took him out. I've been tethering him near me when I'm in the kitchen cooking or watching tv in the living room, and he was doing really good not having accidents, but then I noticed him peeing sometimes while he's tethered, and even once on his bed.  I thought that was strange because I hear they naturally wont go where they sleep.  I just feel like he's regressing, or something.  I don't know how long potty training is supposed to take, but I'm afraid I'm doing something wrong that's making him get bad habits.  I think I'm probably overthinking it, but any tips or advice would be appreciated!!

[Steve D]

That seems like quite a while to hold it for a little pup. You should do a search for Bell training here on Doodle Kisses. Max learned to ring a bell when he was ready to go outside with very little effort. We started ringing the bell and saying "outside" when we thought it was time for him to go. We picked up his sister at 4 months old. She was not potty trained and she learned to ring the bell just from watching Max. Sounds like you are doing great with him. This site will be a great help with your new pup. Great advice and great people and Doodles!!

[Tracy A]

Thanks :) I've been using the bell, too, but he doesn't ring it yet.

[Steve D]

We would just ring it every time when at the door to take him out and say "outside". Lol it really is quite a thrill when you hear him ring it for the first time on his own :) Of course now, especially with two dogs, I am constantly jumping up to let someone outside... and to them it is not just for potty breaks but there have not been any accidents inside for a long time. Yay!! Keep up the good work and it will all come together before you know it.

[Jackie]

I agree, that seems like too long for a puppy to hold it.I'd take him out when he wakes up. I taught Beckett to ring the bell when I was housebreaking him and I really think it helped him train faster. I got my bells from Poochiebells. You really have to watch them like a hawk...lol I know if I left Beckett for a few minutes, he seemed to know it and peed lol. They all learn at different rates but he will get it. Just keep it up and be consistent :) Good luck

[Leigh & Allie]

Are you giving treats when he goes potty outside? I always said "go potty" each time we were outside and as soon as she went potty I threw a party (almost literally) and gave her a treat. When she caught on, I stopped giving treats and just praised her. She is not 8 months old and she has not had an accident in months;) She now has full roam of the house and no crate. You will get there. Believe me, I had days I was just sooooo exasperated. I believe I even told my husband she was his dog!! She is soooo not. She follows me everywhere and just pays attention to him every once in a while. lol.

We also used baby gates to keep her in certain areas of the house when we were home. Just keep it up and you will get there.

[Adina P]

Take the towel out of the crate. I am 99% sure he'll stop peeing in there. Dogs prefer to pee on absorbent spots like rugs, carpet, towels.

The bell training is helpful but I wouldn't rely on it until he's at least 3 months old. How old is he now? Until then you'll just have to take him out more frequently. My labradoodle, Rosco, would pee every 15-20 minutes if I took him out that often so I did. But that's only necessary when he's not crated. When he's crated he should be able to hold it (again ON towel in the crate, not even a stuffed animal or any cloth) as many hours as his age in months +1 initially. Overnight longer.

I agree that it is ideal if puppy can wait till you get up to go out to potty...but that's ideal. Not all dogs can at his age. Sometimes even I can't hold my bladder till 7:30 depending on when I last drank, etc. So there will be times when he HAS to go. I wouldn't plan on sleeping in until he's potty trained. Take him out, on a leash, keep it 'business only' and then return him to his crate immediately afterward with NO playing in between.

[Tracy A]

Thanks for the advice! I will taking the towel out...I had a suspicion that was a factor. I guess that's why he peed on his bed a couple times too. He is 10 weeks.

[Tracy A]

I took out the towel last night, and voila! No accidents! I took him out at 6:30 when he started barking, and put him back in for another hour till I got up, and he was fine. Thanks for all the advice! Kids I know, but puppies are a whole new world for me! ;)

[Sandra Griffith]

You might also try restricting water before bed. I will give free water right after the first walk in the morning until about 8:00 p.m. This was they don't fill up on water just before they go to bed for the night. This is of course in addition to the advice given above. It is not unusual for a puppy of this age to not be able to hold it overnight.

[Laura & Chewie]

Chewie was able to hold it that long overnight at that age, but they are all different. Is it possible he is peeing in his crate between 6:00 and 7:30? I also took up the water around 7:30 - 8:00 at night. As far as during the day, it just takes patience...he is still very young. We had our ups and downs for a couple months. Just when I thought he got it, he'd have an unexpected accident. Then, it just clicked and that was it...completely dependable. Mousse will get there too.