*I'm guilty*Time to move off puppy pads

cloudcandy

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#1
Ok first things first,I know my way of doing this and what I've done so far has been wrong and the learning process for Coco is going to be extra hard because of the way I've done things.I'd really appreciate opinions and how other people would go about this problem.
So Coco is 7months now,we don't have an big problems but I know I made a mistake by using puppypads TOO long and things need to change asap!I made the mistake in thinking that this would.be a good idea,mainly based on my experience of a dog I used to live with that would go all over the house(he was'nt walked....so....yh)
I had a "doggy toilet" in a designated area of the flat that Coco has succesfully learnt to go in .Now I'm starting to think that that was never a good idea and yes...I was being lazy when I thought this would be a "solution" however all I can see it has done and all it will do in the future is teach her she can go in the house.
So I want to start training her to go outside...Can anyone suggest some.tips for making this process as quick an easy as possible.I kmow she can hold it in!She has done for 5hours max,I also don't know WHY I thought it would never work....I walk her two-three times a day.
*smacks wrist for being stupid*
 

Kat09Tails

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#2
It's back to square one.

Step 1 : get a crate -
Step 2: use it when you can't have your eyes on your dog
Step 3: use a tether inside
Step 4: reward correct behavior
Repeat for at least a couple months or more depending on the dog.

It took Booker about 3 months to convert from inside potty to poop on the lawn even when the lawn is wet / cold/frozen.
 

Kat09Tails

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#4
Thanks!By tether do you mean by keep on a lead when at home with her?
yep.

The only other thing I'll add is that it's so important that she walks her little butt to where her potty place is. Too many small dog owers sabotage progress by picking the dog up, walking outside with the dog, and then placing the dog on the lawn and standing there until they get tired of waiting.

Take the dog out of the crate, put her on a leash, walk her outside, say the command you wish (go potty! or in my case Hurry up!) and then mark once the dog does the behavior you want. ~repeat~ The ritual is important to getting the behavior set. In the beginning this can take a long long time but eventually the dog will go.
 

cloudcandy

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#5
Ywah defintly!Thanks for the advice...I came home and even though her toilet was out she had been holding it in cos...in the.excitment of seeing her leash....she peed! Least she's trying!!
 

cloudcandy

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#6
How does this sound for a schedule...
5AM toilet break (Didn't need this last night)
9AM Food and water down
9.30 AM First morning walk (Not sure about this order?Should I do quick toilet break,food down...then morning walk?)

[Watch continuously for signs of needing potty or crate for 5 hours max]

6pm-7.30pm Last evening walk
8pm-Food taken up
10pm-Water taken up
10.30pm-toilet break
11.30pm-12.30 -Bed time (In crate)

This is a rough guide as most day's she will be out and about with me in the middle of the day,or with me at home.If I am at work,max.weekend day's,she would be toileted at 8.15 crated 8.30-1pm walked 1.15-1.45 crated 1.45-5.15 and walked 5.30.

Does that sound strong enough?

Thanks for the help btw :)
 

Kat09Tails

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#7
I wish I could say one way or the other but this is all dog dependent. Some dogs are great about waiting others - not so much. Really I think as long as you stick to structure and watch her for the sign (I gotta potty) you'll be alright.
 

cloudcandy

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#8
Cool!Yeah Coco is good at holding it in.She has done 5hours in the middle of the day and 9hours at night.She seems to be catching on to it.I have kept her toilet in the house,mainly.so that if she has a mistake it is in her toilet and on the floor....bad or good idea
 

lizzybeth727

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#10
The good thing about having her always on a tether or in her crate, is that you'll be able to catch her having an accident immediately as she's doing it. Hopefully you'll be able to prevent accidents by taking her out frequently enough, but having her tethered to you will help you figure out her schedule even better.

And pick up the potty pad. Giving her two options (outside, or inside) will only confuse her.
 
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#11
Thanks Lizzybeth,never saw your comment.
I moved the toiley away and in place put her food bowl down there(throughly cleabed the area fist,but hoped that would help her recognise it as"not my toilet area").
She's been doing well...but I'm not sure how much this is due to me controlling everything.When I come to her crate in the morning she seem's to get that the leash is going on and we go for a pee etc.She's signelled to me my going to the door once..and since then has had an accidebt in her crate ( :( ) and accident while sleeping in my bed(VERY unsual...as before when she used the pads she would jump out of bed and pee...this time she had been pottied an hour ago and made no effort to move!)
Anyway I just have to keep at it I guess!I'm not giving up now anyway!My boyf seem's to think I should bring her toiley back out for night times but I'm not convinced,plus bringning t back would also confuse her more.
Thanks for the support guys!
Do you have any suggestions for when I take her to other people's houses?
 

Kat09Tails

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#12
Do you have any suggestions for when I take her to other people's houses?
Yep, take her outside to potty. Reward her when she does it, put her in a crate when you can't have your eyeballs on her.

If she can't be trusted at night she needs to be in her crate, if she's pottying in the crate she needed to go out and that need wasn't met. Take your time - consistency and no don't bring that potty back in. Maybe setting up a schedule would help?
 
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#13
Its just unusual as I would have expected to here her crying or something.For the next couple of nigts I may wake her up in the middle of the night too.Also I'm going to try and take her out at atleast two designated times for her morning and evening potty.Its just hard to have a schedule as each day is different for me :S Anyway its early days I guess hopefully it eill quick eventually.At the least when I open the door she runs to the designated spot,so something must be sinking in!
 

Michiyo-Fir

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#14
Honestly we've never had a problem with having a puppy on pee pads first and then to peeing outside.

All 3 of our dogs were on pee pads at the breeder's house and Truffs and Pop were on pee pads up until 6 months old (with potty breaks outside as well). It seems to work for us. Plus they still have an emergency pee pad just in case one day we can't get back in time and they really need to go.

Nia didn't like the pee pads at all so she didn't really use them after I got her home.

What we did is after the dog is consistently using the pee pads, we treat for going outside but don't treat for pee pad. They learned to pee/poop outside pretty fast either way.
 
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#15
Ah man,wish I'd read that comment before I got rid of her pads!It would be confusing for her if i brought them back though...right?
She's still at that stage where unless I'm ontop of her like a hawk I can't trust her.However she does seem to understand where the toilet is now.
I guess I need to be reallt consistent with the treats!
also so far only pee accidents....no poops ?
 

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