More Help On Housetraining!

[BigDog2191]

I need help! Please!

I get so frustrated at Rocky sometimes because I thought that after almost 2 weeks of me trying so hard to house train him he would be doing great. But for the past few days, it's been terrible!

Today, I went to where my dad's computer is. And there, I would find a nice surprise. He pooed twice and peed once. I was asleep. I got so angry when I was cleaning it up he kept trying to take away my roll of paper. This probably wasn't a good approach but I wasn't thinking straight because of my lack of sleep and extreme frustration. I hit him with the roll of paper on the nose twice (not hard, just enough to get his attention) and I tried to push him away. *Sigh*

Here's the problem. Rocky will not let me sleep! He's always whining and crying usually over nothing because I'll take him out and he just wants to play with a little peice of cardboard that's out there.

I don't know what to do. His housetraining was going so well but now, it's pretty much crumbling!

Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

 

[moe]

One of our pups was a little like that, to be honest I just ignored his moaning and whining, til it was on my terms, he soon changed, if you give into him at every request you are just rewarding him for his behaviour. as far as the housetraining goes, dont know how old yuur pup is? but normally I would just put out after sleep.eating.playing.and at least every half hour inbetween, and praise loads and reward when they go to toilet where you want them too, also what I have been doing (Ihave two pups at the moment being housetrained) dont give too much to drink late at night, or feed them too late, I now feed the pups no later than 8pm I stay up til about 12pm by which time they have gone to toilet before we got to bed, this reduces chance of them wanting to go in the night, if there is an accident I say nothing no repremands, no dirty looks nothing (this also is a form of reward to a pup) or if not the pup will try to go to toilet in places it doesnt think you will find. there will be times that the pup may take a backward step dont worry just carry on. good luck

Mo

 

[Adrienne]

Boy can I relate BigDog! Gunnar is now 13 weeks and has been doing a pretty good job of housetraining but he still has accidents. Sometimes he will be playing hard and just start peeing as he walks toward the door leaving a long trail of urine behind him. At least he is trying! I think that just like training human babies to use a potty you need to have an extreme amount of patience. It takes a while for the nerves surrounding the bladder and rectum to mylenize (this is the sheath that covers the nerves allowing for the sensation of having to go to the bathroom). Your puppy may honestly not yet know beforehand that he has to go, they don't have the sensation yet. The best way to handle this is just to be totally consistent with your training and when he does have an accident remember that he is still awful little.

As for the whining and lack of sleep...I am with you on this one! I have been switching Gunnar over to a RAW diet and he is still experiencing diarrhea as he adjusts. Last night he woke me up three different times to go out, so, I stumble out of bed, put him out, tell him good boy for going, and then straight back to bed he goes. If he whines more I ignore him...those types of whining have been dwindling dramatically but he still is doing it on occasion. Once again I attribute this to him being a baby still. Here I thought I was done with getting up every couple of hours since my youngest human child is now two. Boy was I wrong!

As long as Rocky is making some progress on the housetraining I wouldn't be concerned. Once again your biggest allie when housetraining is patience and the ability to remember that learning is an ongoing process and he needs to have the tools to do the right things which will come gradually over a period of months as he matures. Puppies don't mean to make you angry/frustrated, they are just doing what they instinctivley know how to do. Whine for attention, and when the urge to go potty hits (which may not happen until he has already started), go potty!

Good luck with Rocky, I know he will grow into a well behaved dog that will make you proud if you just give him some time to be a pup and learn right from wrong.

 

[BigDog2191]

The only thing I really do after night around 9PM is give him water. He seems awful thirsty sometimes. But no food.

I mean, I don't need to be told about the after eating, sleeping, and playing time that he needs to go. I have learned this the hard way.

But sometimes he goes without warning. I hope this is just a matter of patience.

lol, I'd love it if about right now my pup was house trained.

Anyway, if there are anymore suggestions I'd appreciate it. And thank you to those who have replied.

PS: Rocky is 7 weeks old. By Monday, he will be 8 weeks old.

 

[Adrienne]

Did you see my reply about the nerves not being mylenized yet? Rocky is still very young and probably doesn't have control over when he has to go. That is why they recommend you taking them out so often, then at least your chances of them going outside are better and they have less of a chance to make a mistake.
Rocky is still way to little to be potty trained, he is equivalent to a baby human and thats why they make diapers for babies, they just don't have the control yet because their nerves are still connecting and learning how to function. Give him some time...he will do well, he is a GSD and they are among the most intelligent breeds. He's just to small to be perfect all the time with his pottying.

 

[Saje]

You guys are both doing great. Set backs are going to happen. It's part of having a puppy. I know it's really frustrating. We've all been there. All you can do is be patient and as consistent as possible. Time is your only friend.

Try and think about it from his point of view that usually helps me.

This is not an article on housetraining but it is very insiteful and may help with the whining. http://www.k9deb.com/nilif.htm

But you are doing an excellent job. And I love that you ask questions. If everyone was as keen to learn there would be a lot of happier dogs out there. Hope that helps a little.

 

[A332]

My little girl Tasha is the same way... she's done really well with going outside and doing her business, but some days she does have accidents, though I have noticed they always happen right at the front door, which means she knows she needs to go out, it just didn't happen fast enough.

It's frustrating, but just keep up with the routine... the dog will be okay! I am a new dog owner myself and I've had to teach myself to be patient and understanding, and I think we're both learning things together!

 

[bubbatd]

Sorry, but that means the pup went to you at 5 weeks...this is way too young. So be patient and pretend you're just starting.

 

[sadie GSD]

The only thing I really do after night around 9PM is give him water. He seems awful thirsty sometimes. But no food.

I mean, I don't need to be told about the after eating, sleeping, and playing time that he needs to go. I have learned this the hard way.

But sometimes he goes without warning. I hope this is just a matter of patience.

lol, I'd love it if about right now my pup was house trained.

Anyway, if there are anymore suggestions I'd appreciate it. And thank you to those who have replied.

PS: Rocky is 7 weeks old. By Monday, he will be 8 weeks old.

To BIGDOG -- my pup (shepherd) is just 7 weeks and I'm just starting to train (as we just got her). Only once has she successfully gone outside. I hate cleaning it up too but i think it's a matter of patience, time and constant reinforcement. But, I am a novice at this, too, so I'd appreciate any quick potty training tips before my carpet has to be replaced. lol.

 

[gapeach]

Always helps to take outside about 30 mins after feeding. I'm no expert but did housetrain Carey

 

[gapeach]

Sorry should have read better

 

[sadie GSD]

BIGDOG re: training

bubbatd said what i was trying to. Potty training usually begins at 7 or 8 weeks. so, that means we can do this together! lol. I'm told unless you catch them in the actual act (in which case you admonish dog firmly but non-violently and put outside if possible), you are to clean up the mess totally ignoring them. And WHEN (not if!) the dog goes successfully outside (or wherever you want) you're supposed to have a party!!! Let that dog know that you are over the moon happy with him/her! lol. hope this all goes well!

 

[BigDog2191]

Yeah, it's been improving. He's actually nine weeks old today since it's Sunday.

So ya know, I have my good days and my bad days. But pretty good so far.