Housebreaking Blues - UPDATE

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Let's see, we've had Oscar home now for 2-1/2 weeks. That first week was a killer with Oscar not having a clue where he was suppose to go potty. Lots of indoor accidents, lots of trips outside that yielded no results. Lots of frustration and exhaustion (on my part!). The 2nd week got easier as Oscar finally put it together where he should be if he had to go pee (near the back patio door), and since that's clicked he's been very consistent on signally us (he drinks a lot of water, therefore he pees a lot!).  We still have 1 major problem, however. He's clueless where he should go poo. Usually, he's already outside when for a pee break when he goes poo, but on several occasions we've just come indoors from a pee break when we turn around and Oscar's in the hall pooing.We always make a loud noise and scoop him up and rush him outdoors, but by then he's done his business and he just stands there wondering what we're doing outside. I know it will take time for him to figure it out, but it doesn't make it less frustrating. We do love our little giant (our previously thought 40lb max doodle puppy is looking more like 60-80lb max), and realize that boys take longer than girls Lucy was completely house trained in 2 weeks, including ringing the potty bells ... Oscar barely touches the bells when he goes to the door for pee. I know I shouldn't compare the 2 doodles, they're entirely 2 separate individuals, and in another week or 2 this will all be a distant memory.

UPDATE: We had a bit of a hiccup this past week with Oscar needing emergency dental work (his lower incisors were misaligned and were hitting his hard palate, causing him pain). He spent one night at the vet hospital and had his incisors extracted the next morning. He's doing fine now, and in fact, has had no accidents since being back home. I HAVE been doing a lot more tethering and don't allow Oscar free reign of the house anymore. He and Lucy have monitored play times together several times a day. I've also been clicking and treating Oscar when he poos outside, and he's come to look forward to it with anticipation :) He's also getting better about ringing the potty bells. Instead of just nudging them with his nose (and barely making them jingle) he's started pawing at the patio window and slowly making his way to the bells hanging on the door handle. He makes a real racket when he hits them :)

So, all is well that ends well.

[Julie and Charlie]

I know how you feel! Charlie is six months old and every time I try to expand his range beyond the kitchen and family room, he poops on the living room rug. I think he likes the shaggy nature of the rug. It must be like grass. This must end sometime, right??? :)

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I should add that I really like your idea to 'click and treat' for the right result. That is easy to do, and Oscar is so very food motivated, he will catch on real quick what it is he's suppose to do.

BTW, we use Nature's Miracle Hardwood Floor Cleaner, so we've got that covered.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Hi Nicky,

You're absolutely right about crate training and tethering for the best result with potty training. This isn't our 1st rodeo with a new puppy. Lucy (3 yrs old) was potty trained in 2 weeks with both the crate and tethering (if you look at the early photos of Lucy on my page you'll see she's wearing a leash in nearly every photo). We started crate training Oscar since day 1, but I've not been tethering  due to he and Lucy's interactive play much of  the day (that is, when Oscar's not napping, eating or out for potty). A leash is just about impossible to use at those times.

Sadly, though, its looking like something needs to change. Either Lucy needs to be in her crate when Oscar is out (and tethered to me), or Oscar needs to be in his crate more (which seems to me like sheer punishment when he's fully awake - Lucy, on the other hand, tolerates the crate much more readily and will just lie down and take a nap). I can incorporate some monitored interactive play between the 2 doodles without Oscar being leashed, but it will need to be limited.

Oh, and BTW, Oscar's poo schedule is so unusual. Since he's been with us he's had 2 poos in the middle of the night (not after any meal), and 1 poo either after breakfast, lunch or dinner. He's had this 'schedule' since day 1. Its like nothing I've ever known or heard of, and I fully expected it to change after a few days with us, but it didn't happen. For the middle of the night poos, they're easy because we're already outside for a pee break (Oscar wakes and whines to be let out of his crate). Its that daytime poo that is illusive and unexpected. Of course we take him out after every meal, but like today, it was after entering the house from one of those breaks that Oscar decided to take his poo. So, I don't know, maybe we need to stay out longer. Tethering will help a lot, I know. It may make he and I closer too. Right now he loves interacting with us, but he ADORES Lucy and playing with her. I hate to see that end, but in light of what needs to be done, there's really no way around it. Thanks

 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Are you crate training? I have a three month old puppy at the moment so I am right in the middle of this too although with better results.  I look on every accident as my mistake and not the puppies.  I know this sounds harsh but you cannot let them have free reign in your home.  If your puppy is not in his crate he needs to be on a leash and tethered to you so you can watch him at all times. Very important to use a powerful cleaner 'natures miracle' to mop up and saturate any areas where an accident has occurred as dogs will go back to the spot if they get the scent.  Good thing is that they do eventually 'get it' and some are quicker than others.  I use a clicker and click and treat and do a happy dance when we get the right result.  Does he go at specific times..maybe a plan to write down when he eats and when he poops and see if there is any pattern so you can preempt the event?  Good luck.