Lingering accidents...

[Sarah and Joplin]

Well, at 15 weeks I would say that for the most part Joplin is potty trained. A couple of weeks ago, Joplin was having one accident almost regularly in the evening every other day. In the last seven days she's had one. I'm super excited, but at the same time... man did that accident on the 7th day just break my heart! I kind of compare these episodes to quitting smoking (which happened years ago).... I quit, but still had those lingering "accidental" cigarettes from time to time... which took all the joy away from saying, "I quit!" Haha!

Any advice on how to cut that stray accident here and there? My guess is I'm probably giving her too much freedom. She is crated whenever I'm not home and has never had an accident in there. But never actually stuck to a real "crate training" schedule... because for the most part she always did so well other than that one accident a day every so often. Now that they're becoming more rare I have been giving her even more freedom to roam and just checking up on her pretty often if she's in a different room. I don't know how many accidents I should allow before I tether her to me. I'm not so worried about her in other rooms because funny enough if she pees, it will actually be very close to me.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

15 weeks is still kind of normal for an accident every now and then. You will continue to see improvment as long as you keep an eye on her. Put a baby gate up if you cannot watch her like a hawk. We left one up which cut Peri off from the hall to the bedrooms when we were home (until she was 6 months). We usually hang out in the living room or den so this was pretty easy to do. I would say between 15 weeks and 6 months, she might have had two more accidents. It was probably our fault anyway.....

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It lessons with maturity. I think you both are doing great. I say it takes 4 months + to perfect.
How does she let you know she has to go? Do you know if it is her fault--just forgetting to ask because she is too busy playing , or is it when you may be busy doing something and aren't paying close enough attention. Usually it is a combination of the both.

[Sarah and Joplin]

I would definitely say its a combination. A couple of times it was just excitement or in the middle of playing, while a couple of others would be right after she went out or something. I definitely know it will get better as time goes on and am really proud of her for how well she's been doing, just wondering if there were any ideas as to what I could do to get her out of these stray accidents now and then. Thanks guys! :)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Your 2 comments here are the ones I would question. In the middle of play was when we always had problems, so I would always stop the play and take them outside. They just get so busy playing they don't wanna stop and go pee. The other question I would ask is in regard to the happening right after she comes in. Do you take her out on a leash, or if not, do you watch to make sure she goes when she is outside. I am just now starting to let mine out to potty off leash, (they are 2.5 y/o). Taking them on a leash was just always quicker than letting them go off leash. I notice that many times they get busy playing outside and don't go pee, so I always watch to make sure they do before they come back in. It sounds though like you are on the right track. I do remember those accidents after a couple weeks of no accidents. You think you have it made and then, opps! I've told this story before, but the last accident we had was probably just after 4 months and they had not had one in a long time. Anyway, I heard them barking like crazy in the living room and when I went in to check they were standing there watching a puddle of pee run across the wood floor! It was hard to get upset because it was so funny watching them bark at the pee! That was our last one though, thank goodness.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I wouldn't worry about it too much and just keep up with what you are doing.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I agree with Nancy. Seda is about 22 weeks and has only been without accidents for two weeks. I think you are doing very well.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Me too. For only 15 weeks she's doing well. Guinness also had "stray" accidents as a young pup when he would get really into running and playing. I think it was because he was excited, and he just didn't want to stop to go outside (just like toddlers wetting their pants after they're "trained"). Once I had this figured out, I'd just take him outside before I let him get too "wound up".

[Leigh & Allie]

You are on the right track....just keep going. She will get there.