Doodle Diary, Week 2 home/12 weeks old: "Embarrassed..."

[Nancy Sunderland]

Ok folks, I am embarrassed, I don't have a super puppy, my doodle does not sit, stay, come on command, or stop jumping when told, "Off!". Sable is sweet and cuddly, energetic and fluffy, but the pooping in the house business is driving me buggy... She even will pee and poop on my front porch if I don't go out IN the grass WITH her.... I guess I'm just having one of those days............ Oh, I gave her paws a bath last night (they were the only dirty part), and woke up this morning to a poopy-crusty puppy in the crate, (first time)..................... Oh please someone, give me a word of encouragement!

[Nancy Sunderland]

Doggie doors in Vermont winters wouldn't work out for us.... It can get 35 below here in the winter with the wind chill in late January... I am seriously considering the poochie bells though!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am sorry! We were really lucky with both of our most recent dogs but we have a doggie door and as soon as they figured it led to outside, that was pretty much it. We live with a fence yard and weather that allows a doggie door year round so that was the perfect solution for us.

[Phoebe's Mom]

I had so much trouble training Phoebe that it drove me over the edge some days. Unfortunately, she was plagued by bladder infections for the first two months which complicated training. You can and will get through this period. Phoebe is 8.5 months old now and she is a potty champ! I do agree with Hannah and Honey about the crate--not only could Phoebe relax and see her surroundings but I was able to see her and notice the potty signs to get her outside fast.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Potty training dogs are not as long as Potty training Kids..Thank God, thats your words of encouragement for the day...lol. Maybe you can try getting her to go on paper and than move it outside, Hannah did not like the type crate you have for Sable, she started out in a heavy plastic type crate and would poop in it within two minutes of being put in it. Once she got into the metal crate it was a different story with her, she could see more and was more content being crated. Also try and keep track of when she is going...so you have an idea of her time to go out, and when she has house freedom keep her tethered to you so you know when she is going and can quickly get her out....hope these suggestions help.

[Diane]

I think the first three weeks were the most challenging with the potty training for us...up and down. I tried not to think about it too much and before you know it, you realize you're not cleaning paws, cleaning whole pup, or the floor anymore! It can be overwhelming and exhausting though while you're in the midst!!