Accidents aren't stopping !

[samzamor]

Hello, I have a problem with my 4 month old mini dachshund, for weeks now I've been training her to pee on a wee-pad by having her in her crate and taking her out every hour with the leash towards the pad and saying "get busy" to get her going followed by praising and treats, which usually works.
but for some reason whenever I let her run freely in the house she wont go all the way to the pad but will pee somewhere around me, as if she doesn't want me to leave her sight, its very frustrating and I don't know what to do anymore, she also poops anywhere she wants, never on the wee-pad.

I never get mad at her when I step on urine since I know she doesn't make the connection, but how do I make her understand that its not a good thing ? or better, how do I get her doing her business in one spot ?

Thanks in advance for the help !

 

[britishbandit]

This is why I hate the idea of pee-pads in the home. It gives the connection that it's ok to "go" in the house. And some dogs don't realize that it's the pad you want them to go on, not simply just anywhere inside.

So, my first suggestion is.......toss the pads, and watch her like a hawk when she's got the run of the house. Block off areas with baby gates if you have to, to keep her close-by at all times. Watch for signs she's about to go, or even if she is in the process. Pick her up and take her outside (yup, can be messy, but it gets the message across). Another thing, she's only 4 months old. Hardly at an age where she should be expected to be accident free all the time. You'll have to be patient, as some dogs can take quite a while to be fully potty trained.

Also, take her out often, whether it looks like she needs to go or not will help.

It's also possible she may have a UTI, it's not uncommon, and happens quite often in young female pups. It wouldn't hurt to get her checked out to rule that out either.

 

[Herschel]

Stop using the piddle pads, they're just confusing your dog.

I posted this in another thread, you might want to try it. Change the "he" to "she" and try it out, it should work.

He doesn't know that he isn't supposed to go to the bathroom in the house because you haven't taught him.

Don't give him the opportunity to have any accidents. Keep a notebook and log each time that he eats a meal and each time that he goes #1 or #2. For now, take him outside every 30 minutes. Each time he goes to the bathroom outside, give him some treats and a lot of praise. It might be good to mark the behavior with a command such as go out. Try taking him out every 30 minutes (on a timer) for a week, you will quickly see that he has a schedule and you just need to respond better to that. Make sure you walk him when you take him out, don't just stand there or let him off of his leash. No playing until he goes to bathroom (#1 and #2)--and don't let him come back inside without going.

For example, you take him out at 8:00 a.m. He goes #1 and #2, you say "Good go out! Good boy!!!" and give him a treat. He comes inside, feed him and interact with him, and make sure to write that he went #1, #2, and ate. At 8:30, take him out again. After he goes #1 (quickly), say "Good go out!! Good boy!!!" and give him a treat. Then walk him until he goes #2--he will most likely go after 15 minutes of walking. Again, "Good go out!!! Good boy!!" and a treat. Then bring him inside and write down that he went #1 and #2. Take him out again 30 minutes after you get back inside.

Rules:
-No hitting
-No yelling if he has an accident inside. It is your fault for not preventing it.
-Every 30 minutes. Seriously.
-Never in the crate for more than 3 hours at a time.
-Pick him up and carry him outside as soon as he gets out of his crate.

 

[samzamor]

Thanks for your suggestions, I should've probably mentioned that I live in an apartment and I work 8 hours a day so I cant monitor her all the time, all I am left with is the pad, plus she already goes only on the pad when I am not home or when I'm sleeping, she goes on the floor when I'm around, thats what intrigues me, I take her outside every day for about 30-45 minutes for exercise but she NEVER did her business outside, I'm afraid she pees around me to get a reward, but she doesn't understand that the floor is not where I want her to go, but thats just a theory it can mean tons of other stuff

 

[Herschel]

Thanks for your suggestions, I should've probably mentioned that I live in an apartment and I work 8 hours a day so I cant monitor her all the time, all I am left with is the pad, plus she already goes only on the pad when I am not home or when I'm sleeping, she goes on the floor when I'm around, thats what intrigues me, I take her outside every day for about 30-45 minutes for exercise but she NEVER did her business outside, I'm afraid she pees around me to get a reward, but she doesn't understand that the floor is not where I want her to go, but thats just a theory it can mean tons of other stuff

You're confusing the puppy. On one hand, you're saying it's OK to go to the bathroom in the house. On the other, you're saying its not. Which is it? Do you want her to go to the bathroom outside or do you want her to go inside?

The general rule for leaving a puppy crated is the same number of hours as the dogs age in months, plus one. So for a 4 month old Dachshund it isn't really fair to leave him for more than 5 hours at a time. Is there any way that you could come home for lunch? What about a friend?

 

[samzamor]

Actually I dont leave her crated, I "puppy proofed" my room and I let her run around in there with toys food and the pad when I'm at work, and I don't know anybody who doesn't work when I do, a dog walker is not an affordable solution, so I guess all I'm left with is those pads, Thing is, I'm sure she's smart enough to figure out that I want her peeing in one spot and not generalize it by thinking "the whole house", I mean, if you can teach a chicken to solve problems you can surely teach a dog to defecate in one spot no ? the only problem is its my first puppy and I'm still trying to figure out the psychology behind it
so these are the facts I need to work with, its a tough one but it has to be done !

 

[Herschel]

Actually I dont leave her crated, I "puppy proofed" my room and I let her run around in there with toys food and the pad when I'm at work, and I don't know anybody who doesn't work when I do, a dog walker is not an affordable solution, so I guess all I'm left with is those pads, Thing is, I'm sure she's smart enough to figure out that I want her peeing in one spot and not generalize it by thinking "the whole house", I mean, if you can teach a chicken to solve problems you can surely teach a dog to defecate in one spot no ? the only problem is its my first puppy and I'm still trying to figure out the psychology behind it
so these are the facts I need to work with, its a tough one but it has to be done !

I could never understand the desire to have excrement in my house, but to each his/her own.

As I understand, the key to being successful is making sure there is a difference in the surface between the floor and the pad. In other words, you need to place the piddle pad on something raised from the floor to make it a distinct spot. This looks like a really thorough write up:

http://www.kturby.com/litter/litter.htm
(I don't like all of the Purina endorsements, but we can talk about that later. By the way, head over to the food section when you get a chance)

And then there is this:
http://www.ugodog.net

 

[girlbuffalo1]

Do you get a lunch hour when you can come home? Do you have a friend who has a lunch hour to let the pup out? At 16 weeks Wrigley was fine in a crate for 4 hours at a time with a break in between the 8 hour day for pottying--having a walk/play time ect...

 

[Boemy]

plus she already goes only on the pad when I am not home or when I'm sleeping

Wow, ususally the problem is the opposite, that the dog doesn't go in the right place when the owner ISN'T home.

Gently say "ah ah!" or "no no" when you see her peeing, pick her up in mid-pee when you see her doing it, carry her to the pad, and THEN praise her mightily as you gently set her on the pad (even if she doesn't go on it). That's how I trained one of my kittens to pee only in the litterbox instead of on everything soft.

Someone one here has pad trained chihuahuas who use a pee pad that's set in a litterbox . . . maybe that would help your puppy understand the boundaries of where it's okay to pee and where it's not okay to pee?

 

[Jynx]

actually I doubt she distinguishes the wee wee pad from the floor, in other words,,she's going on the floor no two ways about it..

IF you have to potty train this way, I would suggest litter box training vs floor training..Make a small box type litter box, and either use litter or some have used the fake sod/grass which can also give the dog the idea "ok I can "go on grass" and transfers to outside as well..

good luck
diane

 

[samzamor]

Thats a very smart idea, thanks alot guys, its true that maybe the height of the floor might seem different to her, I'll let you know of her progress

Cheers

 

[samzamor]

Well, I tried, but she doesn't understand, I woke up 4 times tonight, put her in the litter box and she just sits in it, this morning I put her in front of it and she just peed right on the floor in front of me, picked her up while she was doing it and put her in the box and still she just sat there looking at me, same thing happened 10 minutes later, I tried putting a pee pad in the litter box to get her understanding what I want from her and well... it just made the box more comfortable to sit on... should I just get a trainer ?

 

[girlbuffalo1]

I wouldn't do the pee pads or the litter box quite frankly because who wants to deal with that their entire lives---I would go for crate and outside only--staring at the dog while they are out and having someone come mid day to let them out potty....that should work if you stick to it.

 

[samzamor]

Again, its an impossibility for me, my only options are pee pads and litter boxes.

 

[Herschel]

Well, I tried, but she doesn't understand, I woke up 4 times tonight, put her in the litter box and she just sits in it, this morning I put her in front of it and she just peed right on the floor in front of me, picked her up while she was doing it and put her in the box and still she just sat there looking at me, same thing happened 10 minutes later, I tried putting a pee pad in the litter box to get her understanding what I want from her and "well... it just made the box more comfortable to sit on... should I just get a trainer ?

A trainer to teach your dog to go to the bathroom in your house? :lol-sign: Go for it!

Did you read the articles I posted?

"If you're starting from scratch, you'll need to work with the dog very closely, and have your cleaning supplies even closer! The best method for housetraining is to design the environment so that it is difficult for the dog to fail. Your dog wants to please you, and you can help him (or her) succeed! First, designate the area to be used for the litterbox and/or papers. Obviously, a tiled or easy to clean floor area is best. During the first few days, you will need to constantly monitor the dog when it is not in its bathroom area. In this initial period, the dog should have only two location options: either with you, or a direct path to his bathroom area. You can accomplish this by shutting doors, and using simple gating materials such as latex lattice, child gates, or even pieces of cardboard. In any event, make sure that the dog can ONLY go to his designated area when "caught in the act". Make sure there is a direct path between you and his bathroom only (no open side rooms) at all times.

During the first few days the dog should either be with you, or in his area. If you are unable to watch the dog carefully, put the dog in his bathroom or crate area. If you notice actions such as circling or sniffing (usually indicating the dog has "to go"), then encourage the dog to go to his area to do his business on papers. Develop a key word or key phrase for this action. It can be anything you want such as: "go pee", "get busy", "use the box", etc. Repeat the word or phrase often at the spot where the dog should do his business." -http://www.kturby.com/litter/litter.htm

 

[samzamor]

Ok tell me if this is right:

I put the litter box right in front of the crate, left the crate open but attached the dog to it so she cant go pass the litter box, I know for a fact that she hates doing her business in the crate so her only option is outside, I didn't want to distract her so I put a webcam in the room ( right in front ) and I monitor her all day until she goes, and when she does I praise her and give her a treat, now, I just started that 15 minutes ago so there are no results yet, but do you think thats fine ?

 

[~Jessie~]

I think I would keep the litterbox away from the crate... wouldn't it give your dog the impression that it is okay to go to the bathroom in her bed area?

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Why not make a slightly larger area for her. Go to your local pet supply store and get a small exercise pen.

Put down something waterproof under it, and put inside it the pee pads, or sod grass, or whatever you want to use.

When it is time for the puppy to eliminate, put her in there, close the gate, and wait for the desired result. WHEN the desired result is happening, and AT NO OTHER TIME, stand near and say whatever the puppy is actually doing. For example, "go pee pee" if she is urinating. The INSTANT the puppy is finished, SMILE, praise, open the gate with glee, and feed her several small food treats one after the other.

And yes, when you are away, I would attach the pen to the crate so she has the pen to eliminate in.

Try to prevent mistakes anywhere else in the house. If you catch her in the act, as advised, pick her up, and carry her INSTANTLY to the pen. Praise mightily if she finishes there. Praise and food reward if she investigates the pen without you taking her there. Leave the gate open to the pen so she can have free access when you are at home.

The key to teaching her to use the pen is to have her IN there when she needs to go, and really consistent and high value rewards for eliminating inside the pen.

 

[Kiwii]

Tiger still has accidents in the house too and hes almost a year old now. I don't know what to do. Sometimes we take him out at night + morning or when I get off school. But he wouldn't go poopie or peepee.

My parents always say that Tiger doesn't tell us when he wants to use the bathroom. Like when a pooch needs to go, they'll whine or scratch their owners out to use to the bathroom. How come Tiger doesn't do that? Just wondering. Could you teach him that? :-o