Housetraining - Do they just "get it"?

[banzai75x]

So I've been housetraining for over 3 weeks now. I have a 15wk old Cavalier King Charles. He has a litterbox that he learned in about 3 days. It is in his x-pen so goes pee-pee in there during the day when we are at work and at night during sleep.

When we get home from work, we take him out to the grass. We live in an apartment so no yard. He goes regularly on there as well and also does his #2 business in the mornings, evenings when we take him out. At night we try to take him out every hour or so, so he gets ample opportunities to learn outside.

Question: Does the dog just one day "get it?" A lightbulb go off that he has to signal us to go outside. When he plays inside, he never goes in the litter voluntarily if he is not "trapped" in the x-pen. He also doesn't signal us to go outside. If he has to go, he usually just goes right there on the floor. So I'm wondering how long it takes for them to finally "signal" to us, he needs to go.

 

[Doberluv]

It will take longer and confuse the dog if he's allowed to go in the house sometimes and taken outside at other times. Is there someone who could come let your dog out while you're at work? It's a mistake, I think to use mixed areas for going to the bathroom. As far as signalling to you, some dogs do and some don't. You can attach a bell to the door, as some people do and smear a little peanut butter on it. When the dog licks it and the bell rings, you can praise and give a word...ie: "outside?" or "wanna go out?" And then promptly open the door. Reward him for going out to pee. The trouble is, that sometimes a dog will bug you, ringing the bell whenever he wants to go out and doesn't have to pee. But you can take him out on a leash and go to the specific potty place and come right back in whether he goes or not, so he doesn't think he gets to just play when he rings the bell. Take him out at other times without ringing the bell for just plain walks or playtime.

My Dobe, Lyric didn't signal for a long time and finally started whining when he wanted to go out. My girl Chihuahua just sit by the door and I had better notice her LOL. My boy Chi will come and get me and bounce around and then run to the door to kind of lead me to what he wants. I think he's smarter than my girl.

 

[Fran27]

I think he's confused - he sees he's allowed to pee in two spots so probably assumes that everywhere is ok. If you want him to pee outside, just train him to go outside, not in two different places. I liked crate training because dogs won't pee in their den.

Also, don't clean when he can see, or he will think it's a game. If you see him do inside, say no, and take him outside. When he goes outside, praise a lot. Then yes, eventually he will just get it.

 

[banzai75x]

The problem is that we are not available during the day to take him out. We usually leave for work around 8am and dont return until 6am. There's bound to be some accidents during that timeframe.

So I thought he might understand to go in both the litterbox and outside.

I do have a bell attached to the door that I ring everytime we go outside to go pee. But I do the ringing. He doesn't ring it.

BTW - How long did it take for your dogs to learn this signalling?

 

[juliefurry]

I crate train my dogs too. They won't go in the crate unless it's an ABSOLUTE emergency. That's only happened like once or twice though. My dogs LOVE their crates. They sleep in them even with the door open. It's like their little house. Crates have definetely been a lifesaver for us, we didn't think we would use them ever but now we are SO GLAD that we have them. Not only are they good for housebreaking but their are times when it's neccassary for them to be in the crates and now that they are used to them they don't mind being closed up for awhile.

 

[showpug]

They do eventually "get it" if they are trained directly and clearly. You may have to pick one or the other with your pup. My puppy is 11 weeks old and he now paws at the door when he has to do his business. We have gone over a week now with no accidents. You have a smaller dog which in general take longer to potty train!! I would not get discouraged at 15 weeks, that is still young. Pugs can take up to a year, so count your blessings!!!

 

[avenlee]

I hope you meant that you are gone from 8 am until 6 pm (not 6 am) I'm going to assume that is what you meant.

OK first off, PUPPIES WILL PEE OFTEN! When your puppy gets older, it will not require the frequent 'outside visits' as it does now. Its not the issue of you actually being there, but you understanding that your dog is a Puppy. If he makes mistakes its just that he couldn't hold it and your not there to let him out. You can't blame him for that. And I do think the litterbox inside and the outside business is confusing for such a young pup.

Second, I think dogs do, to a point, just gather the concept of 'hey, if I need to go, I need to get 'her' (being me) attention to let me out' Its a learned behavior I think. But I wouldn't expect a 12 wk old pup to understand that concept yet.

Nora will pounce on my leg with her two front paws when she needs to go. Then I say "you want to go out?" and she'll go nuts! She wasn't always like this and she still has accidents! A dog is not a robot and you need to realize that every dog is different and you need to have patience and not expect an 'over night' cure.

Good luck ! Dogs are alot like human babies =)

 

[banzai75x]

Wups - Yes, I meant 6pm.

Just need to be more patient. I'm sure he'll get it soon. Hopefully!

 

[Doberluv]

I know someone who does use a litter box in the house in a playpen for her two dogs. But when she's home, they do know to go outside. She's on another message board...don't know if she comes here or not...I forget. It just seems difficult to me, but I've never tried it. That many hours though, is too long for a young pup to hold it, so I guess you'll have to do the best you can with the litter box and then when you're home, take her out often and praise like crazy when she goes. I wouldn't worry too much about her signaling to you. Just take her out often and watch her like a hawk while she's inside. My Dobe took till he was about 9 or 10 months to be trustworthy in the peeing/pooing department. Other dogs I've had took less time. They all vary. You just do the best you can and eventually, most all will catch on as they mature, as long as you're diligent and consistant with your training. Good luck.

 

[becca_4321]

Do you have a friend or family member that would take the puppy during the day while you work? I am going to be puppysitting my daughters puppy once she gets him. I figure I'm here, am still watching Gracie like a hawk, whats one more to pottytrain!

 

[BigDog2191]

Rocky's 5 months old and still has some house training problems.

The only time he really does have an accident is if I'm asleep or I'm not there.

He OCCASIONALLY has an accident when I'm wide awake inside the house.

Normally he either just stares and looks at me or start whining when he wants to go out.

Most of the time I close my door inside my room with just me n' him inside because it's easier to tell if he has to go out. He'll go next to my door and start whining.

And I usually just pet him and say "good boy", because a treat is not always handy.

But I still don't trust him to let him roam around the house... today I let it happen and there was a nice peice of poop waiting for me in the living room.

Not cool. I hope he learns fast.

 

[thewhitewitchone]

If you don't have a neighbor or relative to let your puppy out during the day and you can afford it....hire a Pet Sitter! We do Mid-day visits!

Chyna is about 95% housebroken but she does have an "oops" once in a while (pee). She hasn't pooped in the house for over a month. I am very proud of her for waking me up lately to tell me she has to poop, even though it's a PITA getting woken up every couple of hours. At least she goes out and does her business and goes back in the crate and goes to sleep!
I still don't just assume she isn't going to have an accident inside, though. I have to be very aware of her behavior because other than when she's in the crate, she doesn't really "tell" me when she has to go out. I usually ask her if I think it's about time and then she will run to the door. She will usually pee right away when I tell her to "go potty". I know that when she is alone outside and I'm not watching her, she forgets to go. Then she climbs the steps to the porch and gets stranded (I still have to carry her down...she is afraid to go down them but yet not afraid to leap off the arm of the couch!).
It did take her a while to catch on to the potty outside idea (part Pug, you know ). Be persistant....your pup will catch on!

Pam

 

[banzai75x]

Well he really is good most of the time. I mean throughout the day he must go in the litterbox because I don't see any stains in his crate or his playpen area. When we are home, I take him out constantly and he does go outside and seems to enjoy it. He only has accidents when we play with him too long and don't take him outside (usually on the weekend) and hence my question about "signalling" to us when he wants to go. Otherwise he is pretty regular with his pooping. Only goes in the morning when I wake up, when I come home from work before dinner, and right before bedtime.

I'm trying to get him to ring the bell himself. Usually I ring it, but yesterday I just pointed to it before I went out and he hit it with his nose. I praised him, asked him "do you want to go potty" and then went outside immediately.

Unfortunately, I dont have friends/family nearby. I was thinking of hiring a petsitter/walker but am uneasy about giving someone access to my house.

 

[thewhitewitchone]

I understand about your hesitation to let a stranger have access to your home. You will be able to interview your pet sitter before you hire her/him. Ask for references and call them. Your sitter should be insured...ask for proof. Watch the interaction between the potential sitter and your dog. Trust your instincts (and your dogs'). Find out how long they've been in business. What other credentials do they have? (pet CPR, Vet experience, other dog experience, etc). They should have a service agreement for you to sign, a vet release form, key release form, and a pet profile form. They should take notes on your dog regarding his/her habits and personality. They can't ask TOO many questions. Trust me, we are not here to rob you! I love my job but it is certainly not the easiest job (we basically have no life and can never plan anything because a lot of us are "on call" for our clients). If you find a good sitter, you will never regret it.

Pam