When to stop potty rewards

[renae]

Every time I think we are that much closer to being house broken, Murphy pees in the house. My question is: I have started to slack on on giving treats every time he pees outside because I thought he was starting to get it. Then today (and also once on Monday), he went in the house. Now I'm thinking I should be back to giving a treat 100% of the time when he goes outside. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Sandy]

Toby seemed to take FOREVER to house break. He had accidents sporadically until he was six months old, and I still can't let him down in the rec room off tether because he seems to pee down there. I don't know how old Murphy is, but I don't think they are fully reliable until at least 6 months.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Maybe it is time to let him know that peeing in the house is NOT a good thing. Make sure you know when he needs to go out because once you think they have it you tend to get lax about taking them as diligently. Don't allow him full access to all of your rooms (if possible) so that you can watch him closely more easily. Depending upon your housing and yard - have you ever thought of installing a doggie door?

[Debbie and Thomas]

We were lucky-our dog was potty trained really fast. But then again, I was anal ( no pun intended LOL) about taking him out every 15-20 minutes to make sure he got the idea FAST that outside is where you do "good boys". (that is our dumb name for it-passed down for generations in my family) We made a big deal out of it for about 1 mth, mostly jumping around like fools in glee that he had gone. After that, quite honestly, he would mostly go to the door to go out on his own and again praise was given but it was so damn cold out I just wanted to get back inside. I used to set a timer for 20 minutes when he was really small and take him outside routinely. it will become natural for them to only want to go outside. If there ever was an accident in the house- no big deal was made at all- infact we said nothing, just cleaned it up and took him outside immediately. Wishing you luck-just remember all dogs are different and all do things differently. Believe me, we had other issues-the little brat bit us constantly until almost 5-6 mths old until he lost his baby teeth.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Hit there! I love your dog and his name ( my maiden name was Murphy). Put young Murphy back on his tether and DO NOT let him out of your sight. I have never used treats to housetrain, so I don't think Murphy notices that you are slacking on treats. Just switch to "good boy" in a very enthusiatic voice when he goes outside appropriately. I actually think treats are not so good. I think it is confusing. Treats are for when he does something he is asked to do for you. Hopefully you are not going to have to watch him everytime he pees until he is old. Everytime you catch him going indoors scoop him up belly up saying "No" in a voice that means business. Take him outside and set him down to pee. If he goes fine, give a lovely singsong "good boy"'. If not just bring him inside and watch him like a hawk. Pop him in his cage when you need time off. Take him outside every half hour to pee.

Most dogs only take one to two weeks of a concerted effort to get the idea. But I always keep my puppies tethered or very close until 6 months. I still don't let my 15 month old have the run of the house yet because he "borrows" things. My two year old, however, is ready to solo.

Good Luck !! or as one of my friends says about puppies "constant vigilance!!"Every hour you put in now is four hours dyou don't have to put in later!

[Debbie and Thomas]

Mayann is SO right . I met a lady at a party last Christmas and she said " three to four months of CONSISTENT training with a new puppy will set the foundation for the rest of their life" and it has sure made our lives with the dood; Thomas much more enjoyable. Everyone will tell you-it is not easy. Just like kids-each stage is a challenge. My dood just decided he likes to bark!! He never barked at anyone or anything before-just to let us know when he had to go out. Now we moved 3 weeks ago and he barks at noise and people walking by and the garbage men, and even the leaves in the pool. Just another stage in a doodles life I guess. Hopefully, this too will end. (He will be a year old on Sept. 30th and still acts like a huge puppy) We just LOVE him.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We treated every time and said "YAY PERI" for the first month. Still say the "YAY PERI" when she goes outside. Peri is 6 months and has probably not had an accident in 6-8 weeks. A lot of people might not agree with me, but DH and I decided to say a very firm NO and put her nose close to the pee when she went inside (not actually in it and nothing harsh). This is what did it for us. She did not like the NOOOOO and having to smell it. I would say we only had 1 accident per week during that time. She knew it was wrong. Oh and as Nancy said before, gating him off works well. We had to use a baby gate for quite a while so our eyes could always be on her.