Dunbar’s “Errorless Housetraining”? Anyone tried it?

[Sharon, Boo & Cricket]

Hi all!

Has anyone used the “errorless housetraining” technique ala Dr. Ian Dunbar? And if so, did it work? We’re hoping to get a new puppy in January and are thinking about trying this method. Here’s a site about it: http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/errorless-housetraining

Letting the puppy out every hour sounds like a good idea. Easier than constantly watching the puppy for “signals”, I would guess. But he makes it sound so easy. Maybe too easy??

Oh and I thought this was interesting:
(from http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/errorless-housetraining)

Why release the pup every hour?
Why not every 55 minutes or every three hours? Is it really necessary to do it on the hour?
Puppies have a 45-minute bladder capacity at three weeks of age, 75-minute capacity at eight weeks, 90-minute capacity at twelve weeks and two-hour capacity at 18 weeks. Releasing your puppy every hour offers you an hourly opportunity to reward your dog for using a designated toilet area. You do not have to do this precisely each hour, but it is much easier to remember to do so each hour on the hour.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

this actually how we raise our puppies here, by the time they go home they are up to 2 to 3 hours and know how to ring the bell when going out.

[Adina P]

That's essentially what I did with Rosco. I have Dunbar's book and I think it's great. But "ever hour on the hour" refers to WHILE the puppy is crated. You need to take puppy out far more often (if it is young) while puppy is out of the crate. Rosco peed every 15-20 minutes until he was a much older puppy.

The one thing I learned, though, was that no matter how hard you TRY..."errors" are really inevitable!

[Sharon, Boo & Cricket]

Holy crap, every 15-20 minutes?? Wow. Guess I'd better buy some more slip-on shoes to leave by the door! ;)

Thanks for the info everyone!

[Adina P]

HaHa!!! Well only while puppy is young. Rosco has a particularly teeeeeny tiny bladder -- not all dogs need to go out every 15 min. Maybe 20-30 min at first...their bladder gets stronger and stronger...but as young pups they often forget and pee while playing. That is why to PREVENT those accidents you take them out often until you notice NO accidents and then extend the time gradually by 5-10 min. AND if you teach them how to ring bells to let you KNOW when they need to potty that makes it SOOO MUCH EASIER!

If you buy poochie bells by clicking on the photo link below, then 25% of our proceeds will go to IDOG's rescue/rehome program:





To learn HOW TO train your dog to ring the potty bell...go to the main Forum and search for "bell" and you'll come across past discussions.

[Sharon, Boo & Cricket]

Thanks Adina! That's very helpful info! We haven't potty trained a puppy in a long time, so we're pretty rusty. :)

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

This is essentially the method I have used to housetrain all my dogs. It really does work. I would add that I carry the puppy to the potty spot for the first two to three weeks just to make sure we get where I want him to be before he decides to squat. Using this method it is very easy to teach your dog to eliminate on command. WHILE s/he is peeing say "pee" or "sniffers" or whatever word you choose. After he is done make a big happy fuss, playing and petting and generally being very pleased that he did not go in the house. It is way worth the two to three weeks of vigilance to have a housetrained dog.