Dec
14
Hmmm so my Papillon puppy is getting progessively WORSE with his
potty training. He has begun to go outside less and less, and go
inside more and more. He even waited until I had put him back in his
kennel to go this morning! (He thinks potty time outside, is actually
playtime with anything that twitches, and he tries to eat everything
with movement…)
I work an 8 hr day, but I leave him in a confined area with puppy
pads. I also leave a small bowl of water for him (should I not be
doing this? I feel guilty leaving him without food as it is!)
I try to get up and let him out first thing in the morning, however,
he’s either already gone in his kennel or doesn’t go outside. If he
doesn’t go outside, I put him back in his kennel momentarily to
continue with my own routine before letting him back out for another
go. (This is where he likes to go… as soon as I walk away…)
Okay so he’s pottied this morning, great. Good job, he went in his
bed, on the floor, everywhere but the grass! I’m so thrilled about
this!
Next I let him eat, he tries to play, but I settle him down enough to
get some grub in his tummy. Now I should probably take him out after
he walks away from the bowl, because as soon as he finishes it! Guess
what!? He goes on the floor…
It’s into his “space” now, which he hates. I know this because when I
get home to let him out, he has gone all over the floor and torn up
whatever pads I had down. (Separation anxiety? That’s a scary
thought…) So, I let him out, if he goes, great, he gets a treat, he
gets to eat, and play and I watch him… sometimes he has accidents,
sometimes he’s good. Now if he doesn’t go, I put him back into this
kennel for a few, then let him back out. It’s tricky because he
doesn’t seem to want a schedule. He wants to go at his convenience
and it’s hard knowing when to take him downstairs. It’s like he’s
waiting for the moment to squat on my dining room floor…
As far as his kennel… he hates it. I try to give him a small treat
when he gets in it, but five seconds later he’s crying. He will not
go in on his own. I cycle being in and out of the kennel, sometimes I
feel he’s in it too long, but if I leave him out longer… he sneaks
off and goes somewhere else. It’s insane!
He’s smart, I will give him that. He has me wrapped around his finger
and I think that is part of the problem. I can’t spank his bottom or
shake a can with pennies. He thinks I’m playing! He bites and nips
and jumps… but he has started to sit… when I have a treat in my
hand and give the command. Now the problem is that he won’t do it
without my hand hanging above his head.
I’ve had a puppy before. Once. Our other dog is already trained, she
was when we got her. She doesn’t know tricks, but she doesn’t have
accidents!
Can anyone give me some advice? I plan to enroll him in an obedience
class but want to get a handle on his potty training.
Oh, and I did hang a bell that I ring everytime we go out… he
hasn’t figured it out though… I wish he would.
Thanks!
Both of you have great advice, however, puppies under six months of age should not be left in the kennel for more than 4 hours. I work an 8 hr day. That is too long. If he goes in his bed he will become desensitized to the smell and will not have a problem going in his bed anymore. I learned this at the PetSmart potty training class. I too am taking their obedience class in two weeks. Wish me luck!
Oh, I don’t know what class you went to, but they said to use a small safe area during the day. Cover the entire area in pads so that it is not like the regular floor. That way they won’t get use to going on the floor! Eventually he will be weaned from the pads to just going outside. Thanks again!
Mercedes
Comments
2 Responses to “Papillon Puppy Potty Training Advice, Please Help?”
Obedience class is a must, it’s great that you are going to it.
He does definitely have the alpha position, and he knows it.
Get rid of the puppy pads – they only encourage going in the house.
Get him on a set schedule. It doesn’t matter if he likes it or not, you are the pack leader and he will follow. It may take a little time, but he will listen.
Make sure his crate is large enough for him to stand and lay down comfortably, but no bigger. The more room he has, the more space he has to go potty in. If he goes potty, it will be right in his space, and a couple of times should break him of going inside.
When you take him outside, go to the same area of the yard, and tell him to “go potty”. Once he does, a lot of praise, and the occasional treat.
When you cannot be with him, he’s in his crate.
For training, although many folks believe a treat is the only way to train a dog, this does cause problems once the treat goes away. Teach him his commands without any treats, using you voice, your leash and collar, and if necessary, your hands. Your instructor should also go through proper methods of training.
The hardest thing from what you are saying is that you need to take the lead, and make the dog listen to you. I’m not saying be mean or cruel, but you need to be firm. You are the alpha of the pack, and he needs to understand this.
For hours that way its good to potty training course at first step clean out at first step clean out pay no attention to stay in it thats the worst cuz then once he potty then once he has to only pee on those simple things oh here is walking around just bring him down he cant smell it second dont rub.
For hours trust me fourth be consistant take him just bring him down closely enough so can set him till he has to go inside dont wanna go in poo for hours that why their head up give no eye contact he pottys will build up give no eye contact he.