How to teach puppy to let you know he needs to go?

[magsmommy]

Maybe our bulldog pup is too young to do this, (10.5 weeks) but I was wondering the best way to train him to let us know he needs to go. We take him out really often-at least every hour, (more if he has been playing). He seems a bit phobic of being outside and sometimes when we take him out to go, he immediately runs back to the door. This can go on for 10 minutes or more before he decides to go. We made the mistake of thinking he didn't need to go when he ran to the door, and he messed in the house. We praise him when he does do his business so I don't think that has anything to do with it. It can be really frustrating when you are pressed for time and he won't go. It is not like he is playing and having fun and that's why he isn't going-he is usually standing at the door, waiting to go in. Any suggestions?

 

[LabBreeder]

He's 10.5 weeks old. It's going to take awhile. Keep track of his eating/drinking/sleeping schedule. You will soon know when he will have to go after doing these things. Definitely take him out after he's woken up and before going to bed. You will want to take him out every hour and work your way up to longer periods of time between pottying as he gets older. My youngest Lab, Gunner, is almost 6 months old and he's up to 4-5 hours between potty breaks. Most dogs take 6 months before having full control of their bladder/bowels and before they can "hold it" for a long-ish amount of time (6-8hrs).
Make sure he's crated or confined to one room at night or when you're gone. Don't let him have full run of the house until he's housebroken. Keep a constant eye on him and you will know when he's got to go. Until you know his cues, take him out every hour and make sure he potties before you let him play (if he'll play outside).

Also, invest in a good puppy training book.