We have had our baby Bichon for three weeks. He is now about twelve weeks old. We simply cannot keep him in his bin because he barks and barks. So, we let him run free which I think has been a terrible mistake. Please give me ideas as to how to potty train him. I do have the pads and he occasionally uses them, but most of the time he does not. Help please. Thanks so much.
By Montana Jewel Therapy from The Last Best Place NW Montana
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Lots of consistently scheduled outdoor potty breaks helps and it does take time for a one dog family to learn this. If an older dog were in the home who was trained, the new kid on the block would follow the leader. However, it's up to you to see the dog gets lots of outdoor visits and pay attention to how much water the dog is drinking. They can't hold a lot for a long time especially a puppy, so the outdoor visits should be more frequent. AND, take the dog to the same location each time it goes outdoors and say "potty time" or other choice phrase to the dog, so it finally grasps the concept.
Also, since you use the pee pads for your dog, take one of the used ones outside to the spot where you want him to go potty. This will help him identify the odor to what he's suppose to be doing out there besides sniffing around.
The best way to train a puppy is by crate training and I know it isn't easy, but the barking will stop! I have a puppy about the same age too, and it does get easier. At night, put him in his crate. If you cannot put the crate in your bedroom (which I have heard might help) put it far away from your bedroom. If he hears you stir he will wake up and think it's time to come out. Take him outside well before placing him in the crate, give him a treat or a bone and some toys. Let him bark! Mine barked himself to the point of no voice. Now, in the middle of the night if you hear him bark, he will need to go potty, so take him out.
During the day I give my puppy a treat every time he goes outside, and verbally praise him. He knows he does good that way. My vet told me to feed my puppy in his crate to get him to like it better, but my pup absolutely would not tolerate that at all! They say a dog will not go to the bathroom where they eat and sleep. But you can try it, even try to leave the door open so he doesn't feel trapped.
Another trick is to get a bell by your door that you use to take him out. Place a bell where he can reach it on the wall or door, and before you take him out tap his paw on the bell and say do you have to go potty (or whatever term you call it) and take him out, when he goes repeat the treat thing. Eventually he will go to that bell and ring it himself.
I also know that I watch my puppy well, look for signs..sniffing around or looking to pee inside, grab him and take him outside. He is a baby and will have accidents still but it will get better. I can only leave my puppy in his crate when I sleep or leave the house, I do not have the heart to let him cry when I am home, but the potty tricks here will help him become trained.
I personally do not believe in puppy pads, because you are basically allowing him to pee inside the house. If you are home with him all day, take him outside regularly. After he wakes up even from the smallest nap, he will pee...it's a given, so be prepared to rush outside, I always would grab mine up off the floor until I get him hooked on his leash to be taken out, and now I don't always have to grab him. After they eat, of course they have to go out. And of course, you can always try to "time" it, by taking him out every half hour while he is up playing.
I heard to not punish a pup for having an accident, but when mine does, I do inform him it was bad. I bring him over to it, so he knows what I am talking about and say a firm "bad" and immediately take him outdoors and say this is where you go.
I know raising a puppy can be difficult, I have a puppy here and a 20 month old, but remember that he is only a baby and will get better with training. Good luck and enjoy that little puppy, they grow so fast!
There is a lot of good feedback here from Brenneman and Lorelei. It takes a long time to train a puppy and it requires patience and love, consistency and the same terminology, whatever you decide to say. Crate training is really wonderful because the dog is safe from harm and so is your house and belongings. Good luck!
I will never understand why people get a dog without knowing what to do with the dog. You should learn first how to train a dog before you get the dog and ruin it. That is why so many poor animals end up in shelters. Their owners don't know what to do with them, blame the poor dogs for not knowing what to do, when it's the owner's fault for not knowing how to train them.
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