Potty Training Issues

[Michelle Rodriguez]

Does anyone else's doodle think their doggy beds are for pottying? I got my doodle 3 beds (she's my first puppy and yes I know I spoil her a bit :)) I got her one for downstairs, one for upstairs and a thin one to go in her kennel. After a few nights I noticed she kept peeing in the kennel and I guess it didn't bother her much since the bed would absorb most of it so I decided to take the bed out of there and that stopped her from peeing in there and to my surprise it even helped her sleep through the night! My issues are now with her regular beds that I have for her to lay in throughout the day, she doesn't poop indoors BUT she keeps using her beds to potty and had a few accidents on the living room :( any advice on what I should do?? I wash the beds right away to take the smell out and that doesn't seem to help much in terms of her not peeing in it again.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Are you using an enzyme cleaner when washing the beds?

[Michelle Rodriguez]

Yes, I purchased a spray from pet smart that is supposed to take the scent away. And then I use our regular laundry detergent when I put them in the washer.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

If she continues marking on the beds, I would wash the beds with a enzyme cleaner. Natures Miracle is probably the most popular and easiest to find. I suspect a spray is not doing the job. You may not be able to smell anything, but she can!

[Laura and Angus]

I agree with the enzyme cleaner, but you may also consider removing the beds she has pottied on and just using something else until she is completely potty trained. We use a folded up blanket downstairs and our puppy has a bed upstairs. It might be confusing for her while she's learning..especially if she can still smell where she last went. 

[SoSa]

Hahahahahaha!!!! I have to laugh, because we had the same issue. I've discussed it here on this forum a few times. I soaked and washed his bed in an enzymatic cleaner numerous times and it did not help. Finally I decided to take the bed away. A few weeks ago (after weeks of him not having access to the bed) I gave him access to the bed again, since his potty training was going great. He peed!!! I thought, that's it, I have to get rid of the bed. This weekend as I was bagging it up for donation, I thought, let's just give it one more try. I put the bed down for him and kept a close eye on him...

...no pee'ing on the bed!!!!! At least not yet. He's actually resting on it, which is something he had never done. My recommendation, soak and wash it in enzymatic cleaner. I used both Nature's Miracle and Pet Force. Then, put the bed(s) away. We took the bed away from Ace when he was about 9-10 weeks old. He is now 6 months old, so you'll need to remove it for a while. When he's mastered potty training, try giving it back. If he pees on it again, yell out a stern NO and take him right outside. Take the bed away again until he is again doing well with potty training, then try giving it back again.
That's what I did and so far so good...

[Sheeba Daniel]

I am having the same problem with my 10 week old! She can hold it for 6 hours overnight but every time we leave her in the crate and leave the house (no more than 2 hours) she pees. When we are home and crate her she does not pee in her crate but she is usually sleeping and the minute she stands up and appears alert, I take her out from the crate. There is no bedding or stuffed animals in the crate and I clean it with Nature's Miracle enzyme cleaner every time. We have a blanket on top which hangs around the sides - is it possible that she smells pee from the blanket? She actually has never gotten pee on the blanket - but could the blanket still have the scent of urine that she can smell and I can't? She only has enough room to stand up and turn around but she seems to not mind sitting in her pee and wet - she did so once when I was home (my fault - I crated her too quickly after a water break) and did not even whine or bark. Ideas? Thank you. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

10 weeks is still very young to expect too much more. Consistency in getting her out is key. That, along with a huge helping of Patience! As she ages you will see improvement. Just keep getting her out every 45 minutes, after waking, and after eating. You will also begin to learn her signs of when she needs out. Potty bells are a great help with this too.

[Sheeba Daniel]

Thank you for reminding me to keep my expectations realistic! It really helps. :)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

:)

[Laura and Angus]

I was actually going to say exactly what Rosemary said...you just have to take her out every 30-45 min or so and give treats and praise saying "good potty" whenever she does her business outside. If you catch her in the act say "No!" and take her outside. The key is to treat and praise every time she's outside and goes potty. She'll get it eventually, don't worry. We watched our puppy like a hawk for the first month or so - take them out shortly after food, water, and any playtime or exercise. Our puppy was potty trained within the first month of having him home (we brought him home at 10 weeks). Just stick with it and know there will be accidents during this time - totally normal as puppy is learning the ropes.

[Sheeba Daniel]

Thanks for reminding me to be patient and that all of this takes time! :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Personally, I would pick up all the dog beds and toss them.  When she is completely potty trained buy her new ones.  Dogs don't really need beds.  My guys sleep all over the place - often on a dog bed if it is convenient, but also on the floor, rug, stairs, couches, human beds, etc.