G'day, Eddy here.
Patty mentioned:-
<<<< we are finding that when we take him out, he is holding it, waiting to
come back in, and then immediately pees and/or poops on the hardwood floor. So
instead him learning to hold it till he is out, he is holding it till he's in
>>>>
Sounds like your Pooch has already associated and been quite conditioned to
doing their buisness on hard floors, and hard floors can also be found outside
in dog kennels. Anyway, this old general post of mine maybe of help but realise
in your case it maybe difficult and take time for your Pooch to UNassociate or
UNlearn
Some of my thoughts on toileting and maybe others might like to post some
thoughts as any information about toileting maybe helpful to those who might
have problems. Also people do have different thoughts on what is a problem, say
if a young puppy toilets on the carpet a few times a week to some that is a
real problem but to some others it is not as it involves a "young puppy who is
learning". Also some have different thoughts on learning where some might say
that if a young puppy starts toileting on the carpet even if for a few times
then the puppy has already started to associate the carpet as a toileting area,
and if this continues any more then this association is reinforced more which
could make it difficult to UNassociate or UNlearn.
Well my first thought of which could vary with breed or with individuals within
a breed, but by about 4 to 5 weeks of age pups are already standing and moving
about, and at this age they are moving away from where they are sleeping and
playing to do their eliminating business, and in doing so they can "hold"
themselves for that short time till they have moved away, and this "holding
time" gradually extends as they age consequently they could move further whilst
"holding it". Also by this age pups have already begun developing their problem
solving abilities, this even regarding eliminations.
By extending on what mother nature already provided, pups could start toilet
training at 4 to 5 weeks of age. So when the pups are observed moving away to
eliminate, after waking up, after meals etc., simply pick them up and take them
onto the grass outside, this so that they can start the association of grass
under their feet whilst eliminating, also by moving them from the pen area they
also start associating the route and distance to the grass area.
Using this and by 8 weeks of age, the puppy pen area could be dry through the
night, and the pups on waking are scratching at the pen wanting to go outside
to do it on the grass, and just open the pen and watch them charge out and do
it on the grass. But then during this time forget trying to have yourself
those extra few minutes sleeping in.
When toilet training you must watch your puppy very closely ALL the time as the
idea is that you catch them before they do their business and where that
business can be done outside. If you cannot watch your puppy very closely ALL
the time, then put your puppy in a crate or pen till you can, BUT even when in
the crate or pen you still must offer heaps of opportunities to toilet outside.
If your puppy happens to do something inside, don't scold them, don't even look
at them and just quietly clean up the mess, and note the following.
The moment you spot your puppy getting ready to do a business immediately take
them outside, they do give signs so carefully watch them for those signs, this
even if they try to sneak away from you consider that this could be a sign.
Also take your puppy outside straight after eating, straight after waking from
sleeping, after drinking, and at regular intervals, note the times when they do
their business as you might see a regular pattern and this will help you in the
future so you know when they need to be outside. Take your puppy to the same
spot each time so familiar sights and smells remind them what they are supposed
to be doing in that area as toileting. When you are outside, play with your
puppy AFTER they have toileted, not before, as the reward of the game might
help them to get on with their toileting so the play games can begin. When they
do their business outside and as your with them, you can then give them heaps
of praise and even treats, this will certainly help in the training process.
Also take them for a walk on-lead outside and this will help to stimulate their
body to do toileting. Stay outside till your sure they have had plenty of time
to toilet, and after taking your puppy back inside still keep a very close eye
on them and if you cannot even if for a minute then put your puppy in a pen or
crate till you can watch them closely.
Is there a toileting problem through the night or very early in the morning,
consider that late meals and big drinks late in the evening plus also humans
wanting to sleep in seems to be the main reasons why those new to puppies have
toileting problems.
Also, during those cold wet wintry days to assist toilet training then, my wife
and I set-up a large tarpaulin on some tent poles near the fence, this provided
a dry grass area and protection from the cold wind, and we even had a light for
night use, there my wife and I could easily stay with the puppies when they did
their businesses. Every now and then for health reasons we would move that
sheltered area a bit further along the fence, and this was very easy to do with
both my wife and I doing it. Also during Summer in the heat of the day if there
is no shade, well something like this could provide a nice comfortable area to
stay till puppies did their businesses.
Also some breeders do like to be contacted regarding anything for the dog's
entire life, even if it's a toileting problems, and some breeders particularly
who raise puppies inside their home do start toilet training early as they
don't want incidents like wet carpets or smelly homes, and where the new puppy
owner just continues doing what the breeder has already started and well into
their training by 8 weeks of age.
Eddy Safianski
Sale Victoria. Australia
Email:- [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Website:-
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~safcav/
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