Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

I adopted Beau in 2005--he was 7-1/2 years old and spoiled-me-rotten! When released from the leash, Beau would run like the wind, stop, turn around any number of times, then defacate on the spot. I guessed, this exercise, acted as a sort of laxative to help him move his bowels. We always follow the same path when exercising. May I suggest that you, or your children, while outside exercising your puppy, walk fast or run, then stop and let her sniff around. By repeating this exercise five or six times per day, she will associate her droppings and markings with the outside world. It is especially important to include all ages of animals with outdoor exercise--the indoors then becomes their place of peace (and yours)! Ann

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

Have you looked into "crate training?"

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

We have house broken a dozen dogs over the years, ranging in age from 6 weeks to a year at the time we brought them home. It sounds like you're doing it correctly- taking her to the same spot and praising her when she does go, but if she sometimes plays around for an hour rather than voids, you are taking her to do it too often. Try waiting 3 hours between bathroom trips. Also, is she getting plenty of water and exercise? I bet she will adjust to the routine soon. I would not change around- from what you're doing now to various other ways to train her. She will learn- give her time and consistency. The good habit will last a lifetime.

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

We have two dogs that stay in side.My lil one who is a tiny chihuahua,we've tried to puppy pads to but i thing it just confuse them,that's why he using the bathroom in the house.try tieing him up outside when its time for him to potty

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

Hi all,
That is a photo of my little rescue chi Jack on the housebreaking article. I was so surprised to open the page and see my little guy staring back at me.
Funny he was the one since he is the only chi that I have that isn't housebroken. He came to me at 3 1/2 years after living all that time in a crate and pottying in his crate and he just can't get it. He gets very upset if I scold him so he just goes on peepee pads most of the time.
Gina

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

My puppy understands what outside is for when it come to peeing but he continues to poop in the house. When he has pooped outside, I tell him what a good dog he is and give him lots of attention. But he just doesn't get it. Any advice?

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

I have 2 chihuahuas I raised since they were weeks old. The good news is that you can litter train a chihuahua! Yes, just like a cat, they will go in the litter box, allowing you to stay inside more. Now its the time. Buy a litter box, fill it up and everytime you see your puppy looking for a place to do its business, take him over to the litter box and stay with it until he does his business in the litter box. BELIEVE ME, you will only have to do it for a month and your puppy will not depend on you to take him outside. But, make sure you keep the litter box clean...its not because of the smell, dogs pee or poop doesn't smell as much as cats, but because the litter could get stuck on their paws and between the toes. Good luck. (my chihuahuas are now 5 yrs old and almost 2. IT WORKS!

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

Yes, ALWAYS praise him while training him to go in the litter box, when he does...they understand they're doing the right thing.

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

When we got our 3 month old Australian Shepherd puppy it took a little while to get him to understand to go outside. We don't scold, hit or use choke chains on our furry people. Frank D'Andrea is correct - it's 90% owner and 10% dog. The dog will want to please you, you just have to help them understand what it is you want them to do. Realize also that your dog will love you and try harder for you if you use praise and reward. Would you hit and yell at a child trying to be potty trained? How would you like not understanding something someone is sayint to you although you're trying and they smack you because you don't know what they mean! You wouldn't trust them after a while would you? You're be leary and keep your distance and not try because you just get whacked for it.

What we did with our pup was any time he had an accident in the house we would all go look at it and stand around all sad and say things like "Oh no! Oh... what happened?" We made it sound sad and consoling and made him be a part of the mourning for the mess. It actually embarrassed him! When he went outside we all clapped and whooped and adored him and gave him positive feedback. He got it in a couple of weeks and he's a happy, well loved pet who listens and learns because learning was made fun and rewarding.

You're dog is a little older and didn't have that positive upbringing, but with patience and love you can get through to him : ) Good luck!

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

I know, I talk alot but I thought of something else I should share. I adopted a 3 year old who was rescued from a breeding farm. He lived his entire life in a cage outside sleeping on straw. Whoever took him in from the rescue group to housetrain him didn't do such a good job. You have to know your dog's moods and body language. While I was getting to learn his he would on occassion have an accident in the house and then he would freak out and run and try to hide. I guessed from this behavior whoever had him would punish him. When he did this I never reprimanded him. I told him it was okay - it was my fault for not paying attention and I would hug him. It's not the dog's fault - it's the owner. You need to understand the dog's body language. Another thing you might try if you don't do it already is to put him on a schedule like a baby (you might have got that baby/puppy correlation from my puppy training lol). I believe in breaking up feedings to two meals a day (I wouldn't like to be made to eat once a day myself!). If you keep them on a regular balanced feeding and pay attention you get to know when they'll have to take care of business. And watch the way your dog behaves just before he does his business. You'll learn the signs that he's do for a trip outside - and the running and playing does help.

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

Puppy pads don't work. They teach the puppy that it is ok to go in the house. Then you have to break the dog again from the puppy pads. The only way to go is crate training. Confine the dog for short periods of time (the crate should be large enough for the dog to turn around in, but not so large the dog has room to relieve itself and get away from it). Then, take the dog out of the crate and take it immediately outside. When it does its business, praise it lavishly and immediately. It will catch on in no time. Also, always take your dog outside to relieve itself immediately after eating, after a play session, or if it starts sniffing or walking in circles. Take the dog out first thing in the mornig and last thing in the evening Try not to scold for accidents, but use lot of positive reinforcement for good results. You want your dog to trust you. I have housebroken five dogs this way. It really works!

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

I have an 8 year old Basenji and I'm currently trying to potty train a 15 week old Black Lab. All of the advice I'm reading on here is great!! I've tried a lot of what most of you have suggested, it just takes time. I picked up quite a few books about training and after reading them this is where we are. We tried the crate training, but in order to properly train in that manner, it is suggested that you keep them in the crate the most of the time unless you are letting them out to "do their business". I personally don't agree with that manner or training because the other part of training any dog is interaction and adjustment to their new family and home. I've also tried the puppy pads. No Good. My little girl just liked to shred them. So it's down to the good old-fashion way of taking her out every couple hours and cleaning up the messes if they happen. So far, for at least the last couple days, no accidents!!! I think we're getting there. Having the older dog does help too. It's just like children, they watch and learn. To all those currently training, keep your head up. It will be worth it in the end.

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

I had a really hard time housebreaking my 2 yr old staffie. I sure wish this would've been available to me then. I enjoyed it and will pass it on.

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

I have a three year old basenji and she has been the hardest dog I have ever tried to housebreak. In the last year I have housebroken my neighbors' boxer puppy and am now working on a puppy someone dumped out here. They are both doing fine. The boxer is completely housebroken (he's about 9 months old) and the puppy is coming along nicely (he's probably around 2 or 3 months old). The basenji has "issues", she's doesn't like to go out in the rain, when the ground is wet (from dew), when it is cold or cool for that matter. Sometimes I just think she doesn't like to go out at night, period. Right now she is in one of her "good" times, but sooner or later these always ends and I am cleaning up messes again, mostly she has these "laspes" at night. Do other basenji owners have this type of problem? I also have three other dogs that are completely housebroken in addition to the new puppy and the boxer who belongs to the neighbor. I have been down this road before, I am not a rookie, but she has me stumped. I'm not a fan of the crate training even though I know it does work for some. Any advice would be welcome.

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

We got a new puppy three weeks ago and I began housebreaking "Buddy" right away...He's a smart little mini-dashound and he caught on real fast..He only had one accident and that was when we were gone for 5 hours..I had left a pad down for him, and thats where he went..We also have two other little dogs, and I think that is what helped him get potty trained a lot faster..If you spend the time and effort, it is well worht it and you can have your puppy house trained in a few days....I know we did.........

Re: Housebreaking a New Puppy

This is in reference to the posting that Liz left on Thursday the 18th: I know how you feel with your Basenji. I had the hardest time training mine. She was 1 year when we found her. She is a wonderful dog, but she really is picky. My girl does not like water, will not go out in the rain and has issues with wet grass or dew also. The strangest thing though, she loves snow. Go figure.
She's 8 now and hasn't had an accident in the house in years. Honestly, the way we broke her of going in the house was to show her what she had done and put her in the bath. I don't believe in striking an animal as punishment so this was the only other thing I could think of doing after dealing with her going in the house for over a year. I was at my wit's end. I know it may sound a little "mean", but you have to admit, she was the cleanest dog in the neighborhood. I didn't wash her every time, that would dry her skin out, but i did get her a little wet. Honestly, it worked. She started going to the back door when she had to go, so she wouldn't have to get in the bath. She will even go out in the rain now (if it's a light drizzle) if I give her a gentle nudge out the door.
My other suggestion... Basenji's are quite stubborn, as you probably well know. I think you should try playing more on the Alpha side of things. If she won't go out, force her to go out. I dealt with that issue recently when we got the electric fence for both my dogs. My Basenji refused to go out. She was upset and mad at me for getting this new thing that would shock her. I had to physically pick her up and take her out. She would "do her business" then bolt back to the back door. I would give her a treat and praise her. Eventually she got over it and is doing fine now.
I hope some of my rambling helped. I guess the best thing is to just keep trying and hopefully you will find something that works for you.