Puppy Potty Progression

AbbeyRoad

New Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
5
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
39
Location
Seattle WA
#1
So our little angel is 10 weeks now (Chocolate Lab) and we are potty training her. We pretty much picked up on her clues that she has to potty and get her outside on time. And she now sleeps through the night and doesn't go in her crate. And I believe that she gets the concept that "when I go outside I potty" but my question is how do we help her evolve that mindset into "I have to wait until I'm outside to potty" My wife and we want to eventually train her to ring a bell at the door when she has to go potty. Today after work I'm going to pick up a little bell at Petco.

Thanks in advance for sharing wisdom!
 

lizzybeth727

Active Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2007
Messages
6,403
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Central Texas
#2
Dogs don't potty in places where they eat, sleep, or spend a lot of time. This is why a crate is so great for potty training, because you're pretty confident that your puppy won't potty while she's in the crate since that's where she eats, sleeps, AND spends a lot of time. As she settles in to her house, she will start to feel like it is hers and she will not want to soil it.

Dogs do potty where they have pottied before, or where they have been reinforced for pottying. If they sneak away into a room where you're not watching and potty, not only are they more likely to potty in that place again (because it smells like they've pottied there before), but they've been reinforced for pottying there (relieving themselves makes them feel better). That's why it's so important to prevent accidents and reward good behaviors.


Personally, I would not use the bell. I know several people here have used it with success, but I also know of a LOT of people whose dogs end up ringing the bell anytime they're bored and want to go outside to play, or just ring the bell for fun all day long. Plus I don't like pushy dogs. IMO, it's more effective and better for your relationship to simply learn your puppy's potty schedule and take him out when you think he needs to go out. This way he'll begin to trust you that you'll be able to take care of his needs. It's harder, though, because you will have to really remember when to take him out, but that's why humans are smarter!
 

Members online

No members online now.
Top