Potty training

[aalvarez]

We are raising a 4 mo. old male newfie and are having some trouble potty training him. He is able to make it through the night (approx. 6hrs) without an accident. He also is able to "signal" us that he needs to go out by sitting/standing in front of the sliding glass door. But, he still has about 3 accidents a day, which is more than what I expect for a 4mo. old puppy. Maybe my expectations are too much? At times, he won't even signal us that he needs to go out and will just squat right on the carpet to pee or poop. We have tried crate training him and blocked off part of the crate as it is really big for him right now, but he still pees in it--typically in the afternoon. He doesn't seem to care that he soils his bedding area. My fiance and I both work full time, but either he or myself goes home daily during our lunch break to feed him and take him for a midday walk. We are beginning to think that he has these "accidents" on purpose? Maybe as a way of getting back at us for leaving him alone during the day? Sometimes he is only alone for 3 1/2 hours and will still pee in his crate. Our newfie tends to poop right on the steps in the morning when we are getting ready for work, even after giving him his daily morning walk. We would appreciate any advice!

 

[DennisL]

Hi aalvarez and welcome to Newf-net ....you'll find a lot of great people here.

You might want to take a look at a string in this section that was begun by Kootch on 1-20-2002 and another by AmyPC on 12-27--2000....some great ideas popped up ....good luck !!!!!!!


[This message has been edited by DennisL (edited 03-24-2002).]

 

[dmcgynn]

Wow, those posts have me worried, I have had Great Danes, and mixes and it never took me more that a couple of weeks to a month to housetrain are Newfies that stubborn? Good thing I have 2 carpet shampooers and mostly wood floors I guess LOL.
Diane

 

[Kootch]

Here's what we have learned. Dogs should be fully potty trained by 4 or 5 months. That's NOT to say that they can hold their bladders for more than 4 or 5 hours necessarily, but they should know where to go if you've been working with them at it.

We go to a very reputable obedience class here in Canada (McCann's Dog Training). They made it clear to me that if dogs are having accidents at 4 or 5 months, then there is a problem with attitude (although bladder infections should be ruled out as well).

They tell us that if the dog has an 'accident', you MUST catch him in the act to be able to correct it. When you catch him in the act, bark a solid NO at him/her and growl. On a second offence, grab him/her by the scruff of the neck and growl that much louder. If a third time is needed, grab by the scruff and give his scruff an good pinch, much like a mother would in a pack. Immediately after the reprimand, take him/her outside to the preferred spot and entice the dog to do it's business. If it does, give it a TON of praise and loving for a job well done!

We got to the grabbing of the scruff and a loud growl, and Angus has pretty much got the drift of what we're wanting of him. The accidents are very few and far between now!



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* The Angus Journal Online
* The Angus Photo Archive
Blackgiant's Gentle Angus, born Nov 4, 2001
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[misamala00]

Our trainer told me that potty training depends much on the first few weeks of his life. He said that if the breeders feed puppies in the same place where they potty themself, they loose much of their natural "sence of cleanness". Whereas the breeders feed them in another area that's cean and not used for toilet as well, they get this idea of not messing their place.

I belive in those places where people have so much trouble with potty trainning, something like that could be a reason. And I agree with Kootch, if a dog is not carefull about messing in the house, he should be thought about what we expect from him, just carrying him outside is not enough.

Mirjam & Misha

 

[aalvarez]

I read a few old posts within this discussion forum where some people mentioned that their Newfie was about 6mos. old before they were fully housebroken. Yikes! I was starting to get really worried that it would take that long for Yogi to be housebroken.

Fortunately, about a week and a half ago, I moved his crate from our bedroom into the kitchen. Yogi hasn't peed in his crate since then! Not sure why moving his crate made the difference. We probably should have kept his crate in the kitchen from the very beginning. And within that same time frame, he has only had 2 accidents in the house. I still think that all of his previous "accidents" were done purposefully. As Kootch said, with an 'attitude.' I mean, Yogi would poop right on the steps even after a morning walk when he had already peed twice and pooped twice! He still continues to signal us when he needs to go out--whew! The accidents have been cut down quite a bit, even though we have been using the same potty training strategies. Anyone have any thoughts on the difference? It's like a miracle!

PS--now that we've made progress on the potty training, he is now barking at 4am in the morning. Any suggestions on how to get him to sleep through the night and not wake us up every morning?? Haven't had a good night's sleep in days....

 

[dmcgynn]

When you say grab him/her by the scruff of the neck are you also picking him/her up by the scruff? Since I am bringing my new baby home today I want to make sure I understand and don't hurt him.
Thanks
Diane

 

[Kootch]

No, I wouldn't pick him up by the scruff. Grab him between the neck and shoulders on both sides, hold him in place on the ground with you up close to him, and growl. He has to submit to you at that point, and he knows that you are very upset. ONLY do this if you catch him in the act, and never show your displeasure after the fact.

Only do this AFTER you've given him time to learn hosetraining though. A young puppy new to your house needs a couple of weeks (at minimum) of your constant supervision first. Take him outdoors after EVERY drink of water, every meal, and every nap. He needs to learn by association before you ever should be scolding him. Praise him with treats when he does his business outdoors. Some people like to teach their dog to do their business in one spot in their yard. It's also a great idea to use a phrase when he is doing his business - I use "Hurry Up". Now Angus can do his business on command, which is very, very handy!

Remember, you're only scolding him for what he has already learned, but is failing to comply with. He needs time to learn first

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* The Angus Journal Online
* The Angus Photo Archive
Blackgiant's Gentle Angus, born Nov 4, 2001
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[dmcgynn]

Thanks, that is good to know. I leave for the airport in a half hour can't wait to meet him.

Diane

 

[Kootch]

Can't wait to hear all about it!

Best wishes!



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* The Angus Journal Online
* The Angus Photo Archive
Blackgiant's Gentle Angus, born Nov 4, 2001
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[dmcgynn]

Well Jake is home and I slept on the floor last night with him haha. Question the breeder had said to leash him before I take him out to go with is in a fenced yard right now but he is whining when he wants to go out plus goes to the door and 9 times out of 10 he has gone out and done something do you think it is necessary to leash him since he seems to already have the concept of going out to go potty? Thanks.

Diane (one really tired new mommy)

but happy

 

[Kootch]

Yes, keep leashing him for a few weeks when going potty, and try and take him to the same spot. Don't let him play during the times you're taking him out for potty. If you don't have him on leash, he'll not associate going out as potty time, and will try to play.

Sounds like you're doing okay so far!



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* The Angus Journal Online
* The Angus Photo Archive
Blackgiant's Gentle Angus, born Nov 4, 2001
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[mollysmom]

Molly wasn't potty trained until she was FIVE long months old. She knew exactly where she was supposed to potty, but she just didn't care.

I ended up keeping her on a 6 foot lead tied to my belt loop when in the house...because I discovered she would not do "it" in my presence. Before I figured this out, she would always get up and pee behind my chair, where I wasn't looking. I could take her out and wait a half hour before she'd squat for a l/2 second peepee. I'd wait longer, no more, go inside and she'd pee behind me within 5 minutes. Keeping her in front of me worked.

Also of interest, my vet (who I asked for help) says there are many "2 timers" out there. What you have to do is take them out, they pee, bring them in, give cookie, take them out again immediately and they will pee again. Bring them in, cookie, done.

Molly was one of those "2 timers". LOL

We are now beyond the potty training thing (2 months now) and I am SOOOOOOooooo grateful. Because, in a month I bring home another newf baby. Yes, I'M CRAZY