Question:Hi all, just panicking a little because I thought I'd got my 4 month old pup pretty much house trained. Tonight, I took him out at 5 where he did business, we then had a visitor and I got distracted so totally forgot to take him out again at 8 like I normally do, at 9 I remebered, but he'd already gone, I found a puddle on the floor, like I say this is TOTALLY my fault for forgetting, but my worry is, have I set his housetraining back? I didn't catch him in the act so couldn't stop him. I walked him striahgt away and praised him when he went to the toilet, but this was first house accident for ages and I'm worried we may be back to square one again. p.s. he's a bichon cross.
Answers:
Be VERY careful about setting routines. Although it is good that you are trying so hard with your toilet training, being too precise can cause problems in the future. Routines in general are very good for a dog but doing anything religiously by the clock is a no no as you have already realised. Dogs can become so reliant on things happening by the clock that it can totally screw them up when the routine changes. Life gets in the way of even the best laid plans so try and introduce some flexibility to your routine. And no, it won't have set the training back at all, like you said, it was your mistake, not the dogs.
i think he probably shouldent do it again he is just probably used to going to the toilet at 8 and because he was inside he just couldent hold it in.
clean and deodorize thoroughly the spot he had the accident, smell determines their choice of spots to go. You ought to be okay, just continue as before, then.
I don't think you have set him back, you can simply think of it as he can't wait an hour longer or it will happen again. Once you have set times to take him out, those are the times he goes on for a while. After a while I would gradually increase those times so he can get used to holding it. But when you fix your dog and he comes home he's not going to follow those times you have set for him. You have to be patient and look for those signs that your dog is giving that he needs to go out and when he does say something like "Do you need to go outside." You have to be very patient with a little puppy. Hope this helps and Good Luck!
This is repetitive training, and he is still to young to hold it for long periods of time. The more you keep at doing the right things over and over he will get better at holding it, and knowing where he is not suppose to go. Mistakes happen, and it sounds like you are doing a good job.
Don't panic it will not set him back. He is still very young and he may well have occasional accidents. It sounds like you are doing a good job. Just keep to your routine, don't stress with yourself - as he gets older he will be able to 'hold on' longer and you can be more flexible.
Some young dogs will do a little puddle when excited or nervous or feeling a bit insecure (this can happen when you have visitors or they meet strangers or if they feel they have competition) if there is any chance that this is the case then give him lots of love at the appropriate time and he will realise visitors or strangers aren't a threat to his security or his routine. Don't get too hung up on the time thing.
HI, This is the number one question Dog Owners always ask me. How to Housebreak their dogs.
You have to understand the basics. What goes in must come out and you have to know when that is. You have to put your pet on a schedule.
Sit down and make a list of times your going to feed and water them. Make sure you give enough time for them to consumpe both.
An example would be when you get up in the morning take them out then bring them in and feed, water. leave it down for about 30 minutes. Then take them out agian. If their puppies your going to have to do this several times aday. But do this atleast 3 times aday and give a little water in between the feeding. That's right, you have to pick the water up too.
You don't have to leave water down all the time if their in a controlled eviroment like a house. Outside is different. But once the food and wtaer is down for 30 miutes, pick both up.
Write down the times your going to do this, plus the times you take them out. Stick with it. If they have anaccident in the house. DON"T yell at them, just writhe down the time and see if there's a trend of going that time of a several day period. If there is, adjust the schedule to make sure they go out at that time.
Some Dogs are very hard to housebreak, but with a schedule, atleast they will know when their going to be feed and taken out.
If your going out, crate them and then when you return just continue on with the schedule. If you have any other questions. Feel free to email me.
Best wishes
one little accident wont set a president just keep your eye on the time you'll be grand
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