House Training

You might have to invest in a cage. Dogs do not usually mess in their cages. Let him outside frequestly and only let him out of the cage in the house when you are watching intently. If he starts to squat yell at him and scoot him out immediately. He is very young and somtimes they just want attention.

I would suggest getting a crate and crate train her. Also, get treats and EVERY single time she goes potty outside give her a treat right then and there. This reinforces the good behavior. Use the same command all the time for what it is you want the puppy to do and stress that you are going "outside" to do it- "Go Potty" or "Go Poopy". When the puppy has an accident if you catch it in the moment tell the puppy "Go potty OUTSIDE". If you don't catch it in the act then you can't really punish it. They don't understand and if you take it over to the spot they will be thinking "yeah, I went potty, so what". I have a puppy that is now 18 weeks and is potty trained. These are things that were told to me that worked. They also worked for my mom who was in the same situation.

Hi W., my name is J.. I am a Veterinary receptionist and have been working for Veterinarians since 1980. I would strongly recommend crate training your puppy. I know to alot of people that sounds harsh, but dogs are den animals & really love their crates. They make them feel safe and give them a sense of security. One thing that is very important with a small puppy/dog is not to get too big of a crate because then the puppy can still use part of it for a "bedroom" & part of it as a "bathroom". The puppy should only be out of the crate when someone in the household can have their eyes on the puppy, otherwise thats when puppy "accidents" happen. Also a good rule of thumb to use is, the puppy should be taken to the same area of the yard to "go" after it sleeps, plays & about 20 minutes after it eats. If none of theses methods works, try hanging a bell from the door & everytime you take the puppy through the door to go outside to go potty, ring the bell & say your cue words "potty" if that is what it is. Then the puppy will start to associate the ringing of the bell w/ potty & rather than just sitting at the door waiting for someone to realize he/she needs to go out he/she will ring the bell!! This method has worked for so many people!! Remember your puppy is a baby & smaller dogs tend to learn a little slower than larger ones, especially during snow & rain!

J. VanHalm

Veterinary Receptionist
Woodland Hospital for Animals
3012 Shaffer Ave SE
Kentwood, MI 49512

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I've had several puppies over the years, and I just got another one last week. A 7 week old St.Bernard. I have her pretty much house broke already. Its me who is trained. EVERY time your puppy wakes up, take him outside. I never used a crate, but people swear by them. I just have learned the signs. If your puppy starts sniffing around, take him out. Everytime I take Lilly out, she squats, whether she really had to go or not, she squats, and I tell her what a good girl she is and pet her, she loves that. Take your dog where you want him to go also, that will be his place. At night, I have her on my bed, when she gets up, I take her out. Last night, she went all night without going out. I figured this out about three puppies ago, 20 years ago, and it still works great. As far as chewing goes, they are teething, and they are going to chew. You need to figure out what he really likes to chew, and everytime he chews something you don't want him to, shake and play with what you do want him to. Don't give him to many choices, I think it confuses them. Pig ears are something all my dogs have loved, and one ear will last a few days, I only let her chew it about a half hour at a time. If she's biting, I tell her no, usually holding her mouth to stop her. Your dog will learn, it just takes alot of patience and time. Its more training yourself. Dogs are the greatest pets. They will love you unconditionaly. I've never had a dog in obediance school, and have always had good dogs. But for alot of people, obediance school is a very good thing. My daughter has had two dogs over the past 9 years, and they have both been naughty dogs. Good when they come here though. I dont' beat my dogs by any means. I'm just very comfortable with them. Patience is the key, and consistance too. You have to be on top of every move the first couple months. Good luck. In the long run, you'll love him. Sue

I didn't read all of the responses. I am sure you got a lot of good info. I did want to tell you that we have a terrier mix - yorkiepoo - that is just over a year. Terriers do not train as easily as many breeds (like a Lab). Try to have patience. I was going CRAZY for the first 6 months or so. It got better every month and now we don't use the crate and he isn't chewing everything in sight. Experiment with chew sticks - lots of them. Hide everything you don't want him to chew. When you are at home, limit the space that he is allowed in. I used a huge baby gate/play pen. That helped a TON. I could just fit a dog bed, food bowls, a few toys and about 3 square feet of open area. The first area we were using was 2 rooms and way to big. The other thing I have recently used is a spray bottle with water to spray on him when I catch him being naughty (right now I am training him to not bark at every person that walks past our house.) He does not like the water. It is cheap, easy and works.
Good luck!!

Do you have a dog crate? Some people think they are mean but our dogs love theirs. We have two small dogs that we got at different times, our dauchshound trained great our chiahuahua took a little longer. But with the crate you put them in there whenever you are not home - they will not go to the bathroom in thier crate as it is thier space. They learn to hold it while you are gone plus they can't get into everything. The first 2-3 days they will whine and wimper when you put them in there but they quickly get used to it. We bought a supersized one even though everyone said a small one would be fine - we wanted them to have room. We also got a puppy bed with a removable liner for accidents the firt few times - easy to wash. As with a toddler - potty training comes with time. You are training them in the worst time too - most dogs hate going out in the cold and rain. So when the feet hit the outside grass and it is cold and wet they want to run right in. We only used the crate when we weren't home and even through they are older now and all trained - we leave the crate up with the door always open and whenever we have company (especially little kids) they run right in there. The rule is when they are in the crate they want to be left alone and no one is allowed to go in there and take them out. We all need our private space even a dog. With the training issue - it just takes time. Some dogs train easier than others so just be patient - you are doing the right thing with the rewards. We tried all the puppy pads, sprays,etc.. and time was all it took - there was no magic answer. Good luck.

I used a dog crate. Would put the dog in at night and then take him out as soon as I got up. Also, when we were gone, and again would let him out when we got home. Dogs are taught by their mother not to urinate where they sleep.

Why isn't your daughter doing her part if she's the one that begged for the dog? She's old enough.

Now, get a crate. Put the dog in it for when you're all away. Dogs typically do not want to 'sully' the place they're laying down in. So they'll often hold it in. I had a dog that my roommate was supposed to let out while I was gone one weekend. Turns out she was also away despite what she told me. When I got home and let my pooch out, she was peeing on the way down the steps to the grass. That's how well they can hold it.
What you are doing is correct. If you need more pointers contact an obedience instructor. There are those that believe when you can catch them doing it in the house, THEN you can stick their nose in it and scold them and take them immediately outside. It's important to catch them in the act.
If you get a crate, I would put it in your daughter's room so that she gets the concept that she has partial responsibility and needs to do her part.

The BEST advice I ever received was to get Cesar Milan's book! He is the guy on "The Dog Whisperer" show on TV. It totally changed my dog when he was having major behavior issues to the point we were going to put him down because nobody would take him and he was peeing everywhere. There's alot of information on puppy training as well.

A friend of mine just got a puppy a few weeks ago and she's using his methods and it's going great! Be your dog's pack leader and you will absolutely love him! Congrats on your new pooch! :o)

There is no magic item to buy here. It requires watching him and catching him EACH time he pees or chews. When he pees, grab him in the middle of it and run outside. When he chews discipline him however you feel is appropriate.

9 weeks is pretty young to expect perfection. Some dogs have an oral fixation, ESPECIALLY if they were taken from their mother sooner then 8 weeks, and it looks like he has been. He did not get to nurse as long as needed. Try some appropriate chewing toys. It took my dog who had this problem about a year to stop chewing up stuff. We were not very consistent with her, I was in 4th grade at the time, so would do things different next time.

Also watch the Dog Whisperer show on National Geographic channel (or its probably online as well), his tips are GREAT, and its a fun show to watch, also to know what is realistic to expect from your animal and yourself!

Best wishes!!!

Hello W., I am a life time dog owner, and breed toy poodles for years. First remember that dogs are scent driven. Second, they will not mess in their own bed. Your puppy is still very young, so this will be like potty training a child, it's all about training the "adults". Put the puppy on a light weight leash, that he can drag around the house. This makes it easier to grab ahold and lead him were you want him to go. Take him outside to his spot first thing in the morning. Watch to make sure he goes. When he has gone, bring him in and give him freedom for an hour or two if your scedule allows. When it is time to go to work, take him out again, then either put him in a crate, or leash him to a spot where he can reach only his bed, food and water. Give him lots of real bones, rope toys, etc. to chew on. Who ever gets home first, should take him out side right away. Tip, carry him out, as walking will make it hard for him to hold it. Again put him in his spot, and watch for him to go. He is a baby, so it will not be an over night success. But he will learn if you are consistent and kind. Clean any areas in the house where he has messed before with a pet odor eliminator, so that he is not scent driven back to that spot. Remove any poo from inside, and put it outside in his spot to let him know that his scent belongs there. After ever success outside, he should be rewarded with freedom and play time. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me, I will help you all that I can. Good luck, dogs really are a mans best friend.

Crate training worked for us. I'm sure you can find info on the web, or ask your vet. Also, "Puppy Preschool" was a very helpful book.

W. ~
I've house-trained a couple of puppies, so I know how you feel.
You end up taking the puppy out alot! Anytime he wakes up, carry him out; when he eats, take him out; if he sniffs around, take him out; if it's been awhile, take him out.... carry him if it's been awhile, don't let him walk, he'll get distracted. If he goes in the house, show it to him, tell him "NO" and take him out...and if you catch him in the act, pick him up (upside down!) and take him out. Go outside with him, and praise him like crazy when he does good. I read a long time ago that outside time is potty time, not play time, so make it short trips. Put him in a crate when you're gone (it really isn't cruel...it keeps him safe).
Get him a nylabone to chew on (it's kinda like plastic, but takes a long while to chew), also try a kong ball for when you leave...you stuff it with treats and he has to work to get it out. Get him some "babies" he can play with. Do not get rawhide..they can't digest it..there are beef hide strips you can get that are similar. You may have to "puppy proof" your house for awhile, until he gets past his teething stage...just like a small child, they like to chew when they teethe.
consistency is the biggest thing to remember...everyone in the house has to help!
A small carpet cleaner will help with the messes...like the spotbot or anything similar, and you can use resolve.
good luck!
D.

First, daughter needs to maintain her involvement. She wanted the dog. She needs to help train and care for it too. Second, the dog is young. After about 4-5 months the dog should really get the hang of things as long as you are consistent.

Since you and your daughter are both working, it will help to have a kennel/cage. The kennel can feel like "home" to the animal. When you are home, leave the door open so he can go in and out as he pleases.

If you can come home during your lunchtime to let the dog out that will be very beneficial. Be consistent with letting the puppy out every 30 minutes. Use "let's go potty outside" or some other phrase you prefer. Also hotel desk bell is very helpful. Set it on the floor by the door. Say your preferred phrase and take your puppy's paw and ring the bell. Wait by the door a moment and then go outside. Repeat each time he needs to go out. Eventually the dog should get the idea that in order to go outside to relieve himself, he needs to ring the bell. Overtime increase his outside time every 45 minutes, then an hour and so on once he is able to not have an accident at those increments.

I'm a 3 time dog owner over 30 years and I came up with using the bell just 3 years ago. It also helps with not scratching the door to be let out. Good luck.

He's still a baby!!! Try taking him out about every 2 hours during the day...
Take him (walk with him) to one spot in your yard and tell him to go potty. It won't take long before he connects THAT spot with the bathroom and goes there himself...
I don't like "puppy pads" that just takes more work. Your trying to train him to GO OUTSIDE... NOT INSIDE... then you tell him... ok, just go HERE if your gonna go inside.
Take him out more often and if he does go inside, let him know your disapprove (stern voice and take him out), but then just clean it up... Give him a few more weeks before you expect a whole lot from him.
As for the chewing... He's a terrier puppy. :-)He's teething.
Get him specific toys. (no stuffed animals or anything that resembles a childs toy) Pull ropes, tennis balls, etc... Give them to him. With our dog if I catch them gnawing on something they arn't supposed to they get it across the nose. (If they are chewing up a barbie... pick up a piece of the barbie and bounce it off their nose. Do not BASH them, just bounce it firmly off their nose and speak firmly to them.)
Treats are to reward behavior not to bribe.

Don't get frustrated. You got a little baby puppy still, that has a lot to learn.
First of all, when you take him out Say "outside" or "potty" or whatever when you do, so he will connect the words to the action.
Second, Take him outside all the time, after every meal, after every rumble-tumble play, after drinking water, when he wakes up from a nap, etc. Also, watch his behavior. If he's suddenly stopped doing something and starts to walk around and sniff, he's looking for a place to go, so take him out.
When he does go in the house, which will happen, first you scold him "No potty" and take him out immediately. Always praise him EVERY time he pottys outside. Make a big fuss about it.
Some dogs take longer to learn than others. But he'll get it eventually.
Also, with the chewing, some dogs do it their whole dang lives. Whenever he gets things he shouldn't have scold him and always immediately replace it with a toy of his own. Praise him when he takes his toy. Terriers tend to want to do things for attention. Thats why the scolding and praising is SO important for him.

You need to take the puppy out every time he wakes up, after eating, after playing, and if it's a few hours in between any of these activities, then shoot for every 2 hours or so during the day, gradually lengthening the time as the puppy gets older. It is alot of work to house train, but worth it, and of course there will be accidents. Puppies are still babies, and sometimes simply can't help themselves and forget to ask to go out, just a a child potty training sometimes forgets to ask to go potty. I have also used a crate with my last 3 dogs, having them sleep in it, putting them in the crate during meal time (teaches them not to beg for food, I am a stickler for not feeding my animals human food) and whenever no one is home. Make sure he has a nylabone or something similar to chew on while in there so he doesn't get bored. Please stay away from the green dentabones, and rawhide, neither one are good for them, hard to digest. Most dogs love their crates, it's their safe place they can go to rest or get away from their people if they become a bit overwhelmed. I put the crate away when my dogs were around 2 or so, and I could trust that they would not chew things up or mess in the house when unsupervised. After house breaking, it was simply there for awhile for the above mentioned reasons, until they stopped using it on their own. Also, make sure there are plenty of chew toys around for him to teethe on, and praise him when he chews on those or pottys outside. Dogs only want to please, so praise is one of the biggest things you can use to train them. Take what he is not supposed to chew on away and scold him, then give him his toy and praise him when he chews on it. Terriers are very smart, he should catch on quick. Good luck! and feel free to message me if you have any questions :)

Gee, I feel for your floors and your furniture. I have an 11-month old labrador retrieiver. We never would have made it this far without his crate. We had one the first night he came home so that he never knew any different. If introduced as a nice place to go and kept a happy place and not a punishment then dogs have a little space of their own. Nine weeks might be too soon to expect a puppy to control their bladder. Crate training would save your carpet from accidents and furniture from being chewed. Also, my vet gave me lots of information about housebreaking and crate training and lots of other information that I didn't ask for. Maybe your vet could share some of that information with you. And, good luck getting your daughter to help with "her" dog. I hope that she understands that the one who takes care of the dog will probably be the one with whom the dog attaches.

4-6 times a day is not enough for a puppy! Every half hour you've got to take him out. And really really praise him when he does go potty outside. You can also limit his access to the house to say just the kitchen for the better part of the day and keep him crated at night in a crate that's just a little bigger than he his. Puppies are insanely hard work and it will take the better part of two or three months to get him potty trained (if you're lucky).

I second, or third, or whatever, the crate training. I'm a vet tech who owns two boxers that would destroy my house if given the chance. Thus we crate them when we leave and any other time we can't supervise them. We started by feeding them in their crates and they absolutely LOVE them, that's their safe space.

I did crate training with my dog at night and when I was out of the house. The trick to the crate is that it needs to be a small space so that if the dog pees or poos it has to lay in it, they usually won't do that so they learn to "hold it". As the puppy shows that they can do that, you can slowly make the crate bigger, until you get rid of it all together. Also I took my dog outside every 2 hours around the clock. I kept her on a leash so that she knew we were there to get business done, not play. For chewing it is important to make sure that the puppy has plenty of toys and chews to stay busy. you also need to play with them a lot. Often they chew because they are bored. I used the sour apple spray on the stuff I didn't want my dog to chew and it worked. With that though, you need to respray everyday. good luck

my best advice to you would be to enroll in an obedience class with him. Petsmart and Petco both offer the classes at reasonable prices. The classes usually last between 8 and 10 weeks. He just needs to be up to date on his shots to qualify. Dory is an excellent trainer at the Petsmart in Taylor (on Eureka Rd). I went through 2 classes with her, and wanted to do a couple more, but we have moved. She can give you great advice on potty training as well as other training. As to the chewing, right now, he is teething, so he's going to attack anything he can. Get a couple different types of chew toys--he may enjoy one over another. Also, get a puppy kong. Then make a mixture of wet puppy food and dry puppy food; fill the kong, and freeze it. This makes an excellent chew/teething toy, and keeps him occupied for a while. My dog loved this treat. I usually had about 3 kongs rotating between the freezer and her toy box. Also, seriously, call and ask to speak to Dory--she is wonderful!!

you could very well be feeding him too much. My friend got a puppy, and was having the same problems with him going in the house...turns out, he was only supposed to be feeding the dog 1/3 cup of food, twice a day at most...he cut his food down, and he is no longer going #2 in the house.
however...little dogs tend to "dribble" when they get exicted...not sure how to control that part...

I didn't read the other responses, so if I repeat, sorry. I also have a terrior and they can be stuborn sometimes. Make sure and keep it simple for your dog. Keep all your commands to one word: sit, stay, speak, potty, lay, no, etc. Dogs get confused if you use more than one word. Also, I would recommend not using potty pads; its just one more thing you will have to break from your dog. Take the dog out after every meal, and every 2 hours. Leave the dog out till she goes, then praise!! You don't have to give treats everytime, just praise. As far as the chewing goes, make sure you have toys soft for your puppy to chew on. They are babies just like our own, they need soft stuff to start. Also because your dog is a terrior, it probably has a lot of energy; you need to run, or play with the dog outside quite a bit. Try teaching the dog fetch outside. The more energy you spend outside the less the dog will chew inside. I would also recommend getting a crate for your dog for at night. If a dog knows thats it's house, they won't mess in it. This will also be good if you have to leave. The dog won't mind the crate if you make it a safe place for the dog. Make sure if you put toys in there that it is nothing it can choke on. Good luck!

I have a cockapoo and he would never use the puppy pads except when they were in his room. Initially we kept him in the 1/2 bathroom overnite and when we left...I put the puppypads in there and he would pee on them but he never #2 in his room, he waited till outside. They dont want to #2 where they sleep/spend a lot time. When he did #2 in the house, I took him to it, put his nose up to it and spanked him. I took him outside every hour to the same spot in the yard to use it...everytime I took him out I said "do you have to potty"...eventually he would go to the back door when he had to potty or if I asked he would go to the back door and if he didnt he wouldnt. Sorry cant help with chewing as he did not chew on anything but his toys.