House training and sneaky pooping

[Jessica & Benny]

We've had Benny for 1 week now. He's 9 weeks old. I was just hoping for some reassurance or correction about our house training experience.  I've read the crate training schedule that's been posted, and we try to go by it as much as possible, but he's having a hard time getting a hang of the going outside thing. He's the fussiest boy when it comes time to choosing his place to poop. He prefers my herb garden (figures) and will not go where we want him to, even though we put down some used litter from his breeder and try to keep him there with a leash (which makes him go wild twisting all over). 

Then, one of two things often happens.  First, either he won't go for the longest time, so we take him into the house, then after a while he sneaks into the dining room and poops/pees on the rug, or second, he pees and poops, often more than once, then comes in the house and goes again but not immediately. Yesterday I caught him in mid squat and whisked him outside, but then he didn't poop at all! We've only ever been happy positive with him, praising and giving treats when he goes outside--no punishments or yelling, so I don't know why he's sneaking around.  Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a pattern that we can see with how long after he eats or drinks that he has to go.

How can we convince him to go more promptly, and not go in the dining room? It's so exhausting to have to maintain constant vigilance, and I'm hoping he gets it in time, but if I'm doing something wrong please tell me!

[Missy]

Uh-oh!!  

I am not a professional.  Here is what worked for us.  We used the potty bells, so pup would learn to notfiy us.  We took 'high reward' treats with us outside and if pup pee or poo, he got a piece of treat right there.  (those treats only givin for a pee or poo)

we kept a schedule (paper and pen)  So our routine was always the same with the times marked. We left food and water out all day and as the pup went to drink or eat, that was marked on the schedule.  (our pup didn't always follow the books on time it takes after eating to eliminate)  We were going out after crate, after play time, before being crated, and then every 2 hours thru the day.  Not outside to play, it was on the leash, walk around a bit (20 min.)  and then back in the house.  

Sometimes there was pee or poo, but sometimes not.  Everything got marked.  Within days we could start to see a pattern.  Pup liked 2 poos in the morning. So I learned to take my morning routine slower. only pee at lunch, and one more poo in the evening around 6.  

All pups are different, so this was helpful for us.  Especially when we traveled, it was easier to make sure he was outside during those times.  

I would make him earn the trust to be out of your site.  Alone playtime should be confined until he learns. Can you corner him to one room?  He is learning this great big world, and maybe he is thinking if I just go in a room she is not, that is ok. Be sure to neutralize those areas, so he doesn't smell them. 

Hang in there!! yOu are learning your little bundle of Joy too!  Don't be hard on yourself, initially this takes loads of time, but I am telling you it is so worth it having a house trained pup!! 

ps. our goes poo along our boundaries, so maybe the herb garden is a boundary? Leash him and just don't let him go there. you direct and then stand in the area you want him to go!! 

you aren't doing anything wrong!!  it's a puppy!!

[Jessica & Benny]

Thanks for the idea of writing down a schedule. I think he likes the herb garden because it's in mulch, which is more like the litter he was used to at the breeder than grass is. He's a funny boy, and I'm sure he'll get it.

[Missy]

he will get it!!  You will survive this!!  I can't tell you how often I was in tears, thinking  I had created a mess for myself.  

These are smart pups!! now to just breathe and enjoy the outdoors!! :) 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I really have nothing to offer except to commiserate with you. We brought Desi home in January of 2016 - and the weather gods had finally decided to try to end California's drought, so we had to contend with potty training in a wet, soupy yard. We took Desi out routinely. He'd pee (maybe poop too), we'd praise him, bring him in, dry him off, and within a few moments, he'd pee again. Upon advice of my experienced doodle friends, we'd leave him outside longer, waiting for that second pee. Back inside and he'd pee again. So, we tried to leave him out long enough for pee #3 - not always easy in the pouring rain. No matter what, that sneaky little Devil Desi continued to pee in the house. Until one day when it just stopped!!

Hang in there and keep repeating "This, too, shall pass"!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Your expectations are way, way too high if you think housebreaking should be completed in one week.  Your puppy is an infant.  He doesn't know the 'rules.'  Give him a break and quit rushing him. I'll bet if I stood outside your bathroom door telling you to hurry up and knocking on the door (equivalent of you tugging the leash), you'd have trouble getting the job done too. :-}

Some dogs pee or poop multiple times at one outing.  Some dogs need what you consider a long time to choose just the right spot.  He may need a little exercise before eliminating so walk him or jog around your yard, keeping him on-leash.

[Jessica & Benny]

I think you may have misunderstood me. I certainly don't expect him to be house trained at this point.  I simply wanted to make sure I was on the right track.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

And that is important, Jessica.  I have met so many new pet owners who do think the dog should arrive perfectly trained, that I tend to err on that side rather than yours - just wanting to make sure you were on the right track.  I meant no offense.

[Cathy and Daisy and Harper]

I have a 13 week to old goldendoodle and I can tell you that I would take her outside to pee and she would not go and then she would come inside and pee immediately. She would even pee in her crate and everyone says dogs don't do that. I took her to the vet because I thought something was wrong with her. I was frustrated and crying and a mess! Just this week though things seem to be clicking with her. I am thinking that some puppies are just more immature than others. I bet yours will get it too because you are doing everything right! Hang in there!!!

[Laura and Angus]

Sounds like you're on the right track. Baby puppies require a few things to be fully trained: constant vigilance, positive reinforcement (we went with treats and verbal - "good potty" for the first 6-8 months), and time. Keep doing what you're doing. Unfortunately, there's no way to "speed up" the potty situation. Your pup is learning to control their bowels just like a toddler does, so there will be slip-ups. Additionally - did you clean the potty areas in the house with an enzyme cleaner like Nature's Miracle? If not, you need to do that immediately because your pup can smell their potty area still.

Our pup only had a total of 3 accidents and one of those was our fault since he "told" us he had to go, but we were not at our house, so we didn't realize. We did not allow our puppy free reign of the house either - in fact, we still keep tabs on him constantly and he'll be 3 in July (but that's because he likes to chew things). If you are not already doing this, I would recommend you block off ALL areas of the house and allow your puppy to wander in only one room that is within eye-shot of you. Sadly baby puppies require constant vigilance and there's just no way around that. Keep up what you're doing and maybe decrease the wander space and your pup should be trained in no time. I have read that if you go a full month with no potty accidents, you can consider your pup trained. However, slip-ups are also common, so if that happens after a long period, just take a step back with the training and continue with the consistent, positive reinforcement.

You got this!

[Jessica & Benny]

Well, Benny peed outside 14 of the 16 times he went today (how on earth does he have to go that often???), so I'm hopeful progress is being made. I kept a schedule as Missy recommended and I hope that in a few days some sort of pattern will emerge. I so appreciate hearing everyone's stories and encouragement, as it reminds me that I'm not alone and that things will get better :)

[Missy]

wahoo!!!  Yeah Benny!! keep up the good work!!  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Good job, Melissa and Benny.