cheineck Loc: Hobe Sound, FL

Crate train!!! EVERY time they are released from the crate put them outside immediately. Worked in less than a week for our 2 Jack Russells.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Went to my 1st Basic Obedience class for 'maddie' last Tuesday. In 2 hours learned how my training was wrong.

We have a crate and teaching maddie it's her home by putting her food in the crate. Lots of goodies to learn. We'll be buying a 'pinch collar' next training session,, not a choke collar. Also taking my carpenters apron to class with her favorite good girl/snack which is cut up pieces of block mild cheddar cheese for rewards.

Training is not the easiest but an obedience school is probably the best idea for proper training and the most enjoyment with your pet. The $150 for 6 weeks is going to be well spent.

Sarge69

cheineck Loc: Hobe Sound, FL

Forgot to mention... put wood or other material in the crate to leave just enough room for the dog(s) to lay down. They won't poop or pee where they sleep.

big d Loc: Rossendale Lancashire

Puppies like children can not make contact with their bladder muscles until a certain age.The cage does work on the principle that in the wild a dog will not soil his den and that is what you want to achieve to make the dog aware that your house is also his den. It was probably a genuine accident when puppy took a wee on your couch. We use puppy pads which are moved to the back door area and then back door is left open and puppy then begins to piddle outside. The little Bedlington we are schooling now almost wee's on command but I must stress you have to be very vigalent and have lots of patience because they do have accidents.

4ellen4 Loc: GTA--Ontario

--use crate training
keep puppy in crate and only allow out for short periods of a time-increasing time
--have a word 'command' for when the pup is outside to its business
I used 'go quick quick' for my boxer when she was a baby
when she did her business I had a small cookie and lots of praise.

a good trainer will tell you that running their nose in the piddle is not a good thing because it leaves a lasting scent on the nose tissue
also hitting a dog only teaches it fear and you want the puppy to have trust in you that there will only be positive reactions
here is a link from the Purina puppy training site-hope that I got it right and that it will help you with your problem

http://purina.ca/mypuppy/article.aspx?article_id=740

good luck
Ellen

wingincamera Loc: Spanaway, Washington

As others have said, use a crate. Dogs are natural den animals and want to keep their den clean. Make sure the crate is just big enough to allow them to stand & turn around, but can not get away from a "accident". I have crate trained several dogs, never has one gone more than once in their crate. When taken out, take them to where you want them to go, not just outside the front door. When back in the house if I or the kids can't watch them 100% of the time, back in the crate he goes. No multitasking.
When we had dobermans & English sheep dog they lived in the house with us, but did their business outside. Now we have just a little dog and she shares the inside litter box with the cat.
One thing about using a litter box, while very convenient, the dog does not know what to do when in a strange house with no litter box, has to be taken outside regularly.

By the way, our English sheep dog lived over 21 years old.

RAK Loc: Concord Ca

When I bring a new pup into the house he/she is confined to a fenced in area of the family room when on their own. Inside the fence is their crate. I always have a plastic tarp and then plenty of news paper to protect the floor inside their compound Before you take the pup out to cuddle or play with it always take him outside first and stay with them saying soothingly "do your business" or whatever phrase you choose, and stay with them until they go. When they are finished praise him and pet them and give a treat" I use turkey hot dogs 1/4 cut length wise and chopped into little pieces and then microwaved until chewy". Afterward you can play with them but do not let them just wander around even attended. 6wk old pups need to be taken out every 15min while awake, immediatly when they wake from a nap and after every meal. Its a lot of work but usually only takes day's to train. At night they should be kept inside a crate as they will not generally mess their own bed. Soon they will wine to be taken out of their area to go outside and you will know you are getting close to house broken and can give them more freedom. Also you may want to look for the book "The power of Positive Dog Training" Everything you need to know for house breaking to obedience is covered in this tome. Good Luck!

Racin17 Loc: Western Pa

Thanks for all the advice. I feel better knowing im not doing everything wrong. I will look into the info suggested. Thanks again

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Gave me ideas to adhere to also. thanks

Sarge69

Nickey Loc: Arizona

I have a Chiweenie who is potty trained now... thank goodness! I have this wireless doorbell that I installed by the door, about afoot off the floor. My Chiweenie would push it using his nose whenever he needs to go potty outside. It took about 10days to train him to do this... a lot of praises and rewards for every good deeds. But on times nobody is home to open the door, we have a pee pad for him to go to.

Racin17 Loc: Western Pa

Wow thats awesome... They are getting much better. Just installed a inground pet fence. Best thing to do. They love being able to run around And not be tied up.