Potty training relapse

Oliver is almost 6 months.

The first month we had him he had normal accidents like any other dog. We have a porch potty on our balcony, and put potty bells on the door.

He quickly got the gist of it - and the last few months were great.

A few weeks ago he started relapsing.
He's been peeing in our rug, on the floor of the balcony, and even our bed last night.

Any ideas on what gives??!

Favorite

0 members favorited this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Laurie, Fudge, and Vern on May 15, 2014 at 5:30am

Larry, We all remember when you got Oliver and the amazing help you received from DK members trying to make that happen. Karen has walked you through Giardia step by step. No one has ever led you astray on DK. Please keep all that in mind as we tell you rubbing Oliver's nose in a mess is NEVER a good idea. He wants to please you. He loves you. He probably has a UTI and can't help what he is doing. Get that checked out. If it turns out it is not a UTI, then back to square one for training. Ask for more advice then!

Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on May 15, 2014 at 6:07am

Here is one theory besides being a medical issue.

We, me included, tend to think our dogs are trained by now but they still have accidents at his age because we become complacence and the puppies are still very immature with bladder control. Remember, this dog is still very young. He is a still very much a puppy even though by now, to you, he probably seems like a big guy

Keep up the good work you were doing. With little pups we tend to encourage good behaviors, keep a close eye on them, take them out often. Are you still do that? Still watching closely? As much as when he was a tiny little pup?

I am sure, if it is not medical, he just needs to go out more often again.

Puppies are like two year olds. You really cant take your eyes off of them--EVER

Permalink Reply by Itims on May 15, 2014 at 10:02am

Please don't be misguided by old-school pet owners. When I was a kid (20 years ago), we used this method to potty train our dogs. It worked for one of them. The other one got it totally opposite. She became afraid of peeing and pooping in front of humans and would not go even if we took her out for hours and multiple times. She would wait to come home, disappear somewhere and then go in the house. It was the worst and we were the worst pet-owners. Didn't help that this was recommended even by vets. Eventually we gave up and would take her for a walk, and then let her go in our yard. Got evicted by a landlord once because of that. 20 years later as an adult, I still regret it... she didn't understand us and she didn't deserve that from us.

Needless to say, this time around (with Biba), we never ever scolded Biba for accidents. Just ignored the incident, cleaned with the Odor remover, took her out more frequently and fed her in the 'accident' spot. Never had an accident after she hit 6 months.

Please don't be misguided like I (and my parents) were. The last thing you want is for Oliver to be scared of you and go 'opposite' on his potty training.

Permalink Reply by Katie & Roo on May 15, 2014 at 1:56pm

Great advice :) Also - that's really interesting about feeding a puppy where they have an accident.

Roo has been pretty good about hitting his bells when he reallllly needs to go, but he has two different spots in the house where he likes to go just to "tinkle". Do you think it's worth giving it shot feeding him in those two spots or would he just find a new spot?

Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Itims on May 16, 2014 at 3:04pm

Worth a shot to feed him there and/or block the spot (with a plant, chair or something). And maybe go over it again with the Nature's Miracle Odor remover spray too.

Permalink Reply by LarryL on May 15, 2014 at 10:26am