He's not learning!

[BabyBailey]

My puppy is 6 months old, we've had him a little over 2 months and he is not learning!

He is constantly in our rubbish bin, pulling out left over food, etc and he is always pulling our laundry basket over and chewing clothes.

We had to start from scratch with 'potty' training and we have narrowed it down to a small square at the back door, but if we let him in the living room he wee's within 5 minutes.

He hasn't yet relieved himself outside and doesn't show any interest in doing this....

Has anyone else experienced this, do you have any tips...anything is greatly appreciated

Thank you

 

[adamwehn]

My puppy is 6 months old, we've had him a little over 2 months and he is not learning!

He is constantly in our rubbish bin, pulling out left over food, etc and he is always pulling our laundry basket over and chewing clothes.

We had to start from scratch with 'potty' training and we have narrowed it down to a small square at the back door, but if we let him in the living room he wee's within 5 minutes.

He hasn't yet relieved himself outside and doesn't show any interest in doing this....

Has anyone else experienced this, do you have any tips...anything is greatly appreciated

Thank you

First of all what method are you using to reward him for good behavior and what are you doing to stop unwanted behavior? That kind of information is always a key to understanding what's going on.

 

[Doberluv]

It's not your puppies inability to learn. Anytime there is a payoff for a behavior, it will be repeated. Your puppy is getting a payoff for getting into the garbage. The garbage. How yummy a treat is that? Getting into the laundry basket has a payoff too. It's flat out fun. I mean, if you were a puppy, wouldn't that be one rip roarin good time? LOL. You have to prevent the dog from getting these wonderful things. He needs to be shown an alternative which is acceptable to you and rewarded for that. He needs to kept busy with learning new things. (obedience skills) And it has to be fun for him and rewarding. Show him what you want.

As far as going to the bathroom in the house, that's not his fault. It's yours (no offense) for not supervising him well enough and taking him outside often enough. He's a baby. He doesn't know these things. It all is a growing up process and it's not learned overnight. Everytime he goes in the house is a payoff for him and that behavior will be reinforced. You cannot let him out of your sight at all.....ever. Are you crate training? What do you do when he does go outside? Do a search on crate training if you aren't already doing that. That is really helpful.

I recommend that you read the stickies on the forum. And browse through the older posts. There you will find more tips.

 

[BabyBailey]

First of all what method are you using to reward him for good behavior and what are you doing to stop unwanted behavior? That kind of information is always a key to understanding what's going on.

ok, I have tiny bonio treats for him and lots of cuddles, etc when he is good and does something right. If he does something bad, like the rubbish bin, laundry basket, I ignore him, tidy away and leave him alone in the room....I think this way he is not getting the cuddles and will not like it...I started using this method a week ago and he has been in the bin twice and laundry basket twice...so, so far so good! I just wanted a few more tips or maybe another method to try if this doesn't work out

It's not your puppies inability to learn. Anytime there is a payoff for a behavior, it will be repeated. Your puppy is getting a payoff for getting into the garbage. The garbage. How yummy a treat is that? Getting into the laundry basket has a payoff too. It's flat out fun. I mean, if you were a puppy, wouldn't that be one rip roarin good time? LOL. You have to prevent the dog from getting these wonderful things. He needs to be shown an alternative which is acceptable to you and rewarded for that. He needs to kept busy with learning new things. (obedience skills) And it has to be fun for him and rewarding. Show him what you want.

As far as going to the bathroom in the house, that's not his fault. It's yours (no offense) for not supervising him well enough and taking him outside often enough. He's a baby. He doesn't know these things. It all is a growing up process and it's not learned overnight. Everytime he goes in the house is a payoff for him and that behavior will be reinforced. You cannot let him out of your sight at all.....ever. Are you crate training? What do you do when he does go outside? Do a search on crate training if you aren't already doing that. That is really helpful.

I recommend that you read the stickies on the forum. And browse through the older posts. There you will find more tips.

ok, I hear what you are saying, thank you, I understand that...but when he is in our living room he is constantly supervised, but it is within him coming in, he'll just squat and pee before you have chance to blink! lol
I don't use a crate, I did when we first got him, 2 months ago, then I narrowed it down to a tiny square at the back door which he uses and he knows to use that, he just doesn't think to use it when he's in another room. I take him outside for him to hopefully do his business and we can be outside upto 15 minutes and he won't do anything, but as soon as we go back inside he'll wee on his paper. I have bought a housebreaking spray which I have sprayed on his indoor paper then taken paper outdoors and used the spray there too, but this hasn't helped so far.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Please read the stickies on this training forum, and the topics I bumped up.

Housetraining
The Recall Game
Puppy Raising 101

Please find a training class in your area and use it.

Please use the crate.

Please let me know when you have read those articles, particularly the one on housetraining.

 

[zoe08]

have you tried laying paper outside in the yard and taking him outside on the paper to use? Also make sure he goes potty before you ever bring him back in. Dont just wait 15 minutes. You should stay out there as long as it takes for him to potty.

When your puppy gets in trouble for doing other stuff you should distract him... Make sure he has plenty of other toys and chewies to play with. Often if I can not be playing with my dog or keeping a very close eye on her I give her rawhide chews or bones to play with which keep her busy and from getting into things she isnt supposed to be in

Hope this helps some! Your dog will learn, just be patient with him

 

[Fuzz Puppy]

How do you react when you puppy squats? If you praise your puppy or the odor isn't completely removed, your puppy will just do it again because it worked and the puppy didn't get in trouble. If I were you, I'd pick the puppy up and bring it immediately outside and then let your puppy squat and continue. If you're consistant , your puppy will learn not to do that and what your puppy needs to do. I'd also reccomend using a crate. Good luck.

Hannah

 

[Doberluv]

I think that by allowing him to go inside, whether on papers or on a little square is confusing to him. If you want him to learn to go outside, you have to be consistant and I mean like your life depends on it and take him outside frequently....like every 1/2 hour. If he can't be watched, he should go in a crate. When you take him out, make sure he pees. Maybe you're not watching and he doesn't actually go and then when he comes back in, he squats and goes.

As far as ignoring him when he gets in the laundry basket, that won't teach him. He is getting rewarded because it's fun. So, you have to bring him away, distract him, give him something else he CAN play with. The only time ignoring does any good is when withdrawing your attention is withdrawing the payoff. For instance, if the dog is jumping up on you because he wants your attention, you turn away and ignore him. That's no fun for him. He didn't get you to pay attention to him. When he is back on all fours, you then give him the attention he was seeking. That way, he learns which behavior gets him the attention. (or payoff.) You can also try to catch it before he is about to jump and give him an alternative...ie: "sit" and that gives him something else to do which he gets praised for. Plus, if he's sitting, how can he be jumping? He'll start choosing to sit or at least be on all fours for a greeting. (whichever you want to train him to do) So when you ignore, give an alternative behavior. But remember that if he is self rewarding....as with the laundry basket or garbage, grabbing something you don't want him to have, ignoring him won't make that go away. It's way too fun. He couldn't care less if you're ignoring him at times like those. LOL.

 

[Carolyn]

HI there is that your pup in your avatar? what a cheeky face

Aside from all the continual training, you can make life a little easier on yourself and harder for him and his mischief if you create what I call "no go zones". Treat him like you would a toddler. That means keeping him out of the laundry, out of the kitchen unless one of you are in there with him.

Put all things away that you don't want him to touch. Put the bin up or away when you have to turn your back for five minutes. And yes there are times you will have to turn your back LOL. We can't watch them 24/7.

A friend of mine has a little tibbie, and she was constantly complaining about the pup chewing her shoes. I said where is he doing this? She said he takes the shoes up on my bed with him and chews them. I said well first thing, keep him out of your room, and make sure you put all shoes away or up where he can't reach them. Your room is your haven, so make it a "no go zone" again unless you or your family members are there with him. My two know that me and hubbies bedroom is out of bounds except at night time, when its bed time or if hubby is in on his computer as he is now. Max is lying at his feet. If hubby gets up and comes out Max will too because he knows it becomes a no go zone when daddy or mummy isn't in there The same with sugar. My kids as toddlers wouldn't be allowed access to the laundry, or the kitchen unless I was there, so make it the same with your pup

Good luck he is just adorable

 

[Doberluv]

My puppy is 6 months old, we've had him a little over 2 months and he is not learning!

This sentence again caught my eye. Two months. My Doberman is 2-1/2 yrs. old. I've had him for 2 yrs. 4 months. And he's still not learning a lot of things. Your puppy is a puppy. Growing up is a long process. Please read the sticky which says "What to expect from a puppy." (or something like that) It's about the different stages.

 

[BabyBailey]

Please read the stickies on this training forum, and the topics I bumped up.

Housetraining
The Recall Game
Puppy Raising 101

Please find a training class in your area and use it.

Please use the crate.

Please let me know when you have read those articles, particularly the one on housetraining.

Thanks I will take a look at those and let you know

have you tried laying paper outside in the yard and taking him outside on the paper to use? Also make sure he goes potty before you ever bring him back in. Dont just wait 15 minutes. You should stay out there as long as it takes for him to potty.

When your puppy gets in trouble for doing other stuff you should distract him... Make sure he has plenty of other toys and chewies to play with. Often if I can not be playing with my dog or keeping a very close eye on her I give her rawhide chews or bones to play with which keep her busy and from getting into things she isnt supposed to be in

Hope this helps some! Your dog will learn, just be patient with him

Thanks, I have 2 young children, so find it difficult to wait forever for him, so my max for staying outside with him is about 15 minutes

As far as ignoring him when he gets in the laundry basket, that won't teach him. He is getting rewarded because it's fun. So, you have to bring him away, distract him, give him something else he CAN play with

I have been told to use this method by a dog trainer whom I have spoken to on the phone, also dog training sites have said to use this method

HI there is that your pup in your avatar? what a cheeky face

Aside from all the continual training, you can make life a little easier on yourself and harder for him and his mischief if you create what I call "no go zones". Treat him like you would a toddler. That means keeping him out of the laundry, out of the kitchen unless one of you are in there with him.

Put all things away that you don't want him to touch. Put the bin up or away when you have to turn your back for five minutes. And yes there are times you will have to turn your back LOL. We can't watch them 24/7.

A friend of mine has a little tibbie, and she was constantly complaining about the pup chewing her shoes. I said where is he doing this? She said he takes the shoes up on my bed with him and chews them. I said well first thing, keep him out of your room, and make sure you put all shoes away or up where he can't reach them. Your room is your haven, so make it a "no go zone" again unless you or your family members are there with him. My two know that me and hubbies bedroom is out of bounds except at night time, when its bed time or if hubby is in on his computer as he is now. Max is lying at his feet. If hubby gets up and comes out Max will too because he knows it becomes a no go zone when daddy or mummy isn't in there The same with sugar. My kids as toddlers wouldn't be allowed access to the laundry, or the kitchen unless I was there, so make it the same with your pup

Good luck he is just adorable

Firstly, yep, that is him in my avatar...he is a cheeky chappy! lol, secondly, the kitchen is his place to stay... I didn't really want to start moving things out of the way as I thought this wasn't teaching him not to touch them, it's like teaching children not to touch a fire! lol

 

[BabyBailey]

Please read the stickies on this training forum, and the topics I bumped up.

Housetraining
The Recall Game
Puppy Raising 101

Please find a training class in your area and use it.

Please use the crate.

Please let me know when you have read those articles, particularly the one on housetraining.

ok, I have read the above topics, thanks..

I have our name down for training classes, but unfortunately they can only fit me in in May...

 

[adamwehn]

ok, I have read the above topics, thanks..

I have our name down for training classes, but unfortunately they can only fit me in in May...

I just found this post/article today and I now much more clearly understand my Dusty.

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7205

 

[Carolyn]

Yep I understand what you're saying bout the kitchen, but I was just thinking it might stop you pulling your hair out in the interim. I never left a bin down with any of my pets LOL past and present. This was when I went out though of course. But I always shut the kitchen door anyways.

I'm sure you'll get through it

 

[BabyBailey]

I just found this post/article today and I now much more clearly understand my Dusty.

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7205

have read that, thanks

 

[BabyBailey]

Yep I understand what you're saying bout the kitchen, but I was just thinking it might stop you pulling your hair out in the interim. I never left a bin down with any of my pets LOL past and present. This was when I went out though of course. But I always shut the kitchen door anyways.

I'm sure you'll get through it

Thanks...I have been out and bought ome 'get off' spray, to deter pets from certain areas, he's sniffed it and backed off, so hopefully this will work

Thanks

 

[IcyMist]

LOL I have bitter apple spray and my Penny seems to kinda sorta like it. She will lick it, make a face and shake her head and then the silly will go and lick it again.

When you take your pup outside, make sure that you do not play with him. Outside is for pottying only at first. Also when I take Penny outside I always say "Outside Go Potty" before I take her and then once we are outside I will say again "Outside Go Potty Penny". This works great when you can finally say "Do you need to go Outside Go Potty?" and the dog heads for the door. After a while Penny started standing at the door when she needs to go outside and stares at me until I get up. Penny was potty trained at age 3 months, and after she reached 4 months, has never had an accident. Also I praise her to high heaven, over and over again and typically try and either treat her or play with her for a time.

 

[Fuzz Puppy]

Why not use domething, like viniger, that tastes bad if your dog chews something he isn't supposed too? Then he'd learn not to do it. That worked with Liberty.