Housebreaking Woes

[jweese]

Dave (our new Lab pup) has been home for two weeks now. He is just over eight weeks old - question is this - when do they just "get it" with the house breaking?

I guess I got off easy with Misty, and my previous dog Jasmine (Karelian Bear Dog if it makes any difference). We got both dogs at 8 weeks old, and both only took a couple days of training and they were housebroken and never looked back, and never had an accident since being broken.

Dave, on the other hand - has two or three accidents daily. He's going outside hourly, and within 10-15 minutes after eating. We go outside, and walk and walk until he's had enough, and he'll pee a couple times, then go inside and pee again.

Couple that with the snow - the pup eats snow like it's candy. I don't get it either, he's got plenty of water throughout the day, but snow is just sooo tasty to him.

Any suggestions or thoughts? Just keep at it?

Frustrating, trying to remember he's just a little baby; but frustrating none-the-less.

[last5oh_302]

It sounds like he may have a urinary tract infection if he's going that often. You may want to get that checked out at the vet. I went through this as well and thought the same thing. I figured I'd have my new pup house broken within a week, but noooo! lol

[terrym]

Is your dog in a crate? They don't like messing up the crate and will house break in no time. I even got up a couple times during the night to let him out and he house broke in under a week no problem. I highly recommend the crate for all kinds of reasons.

[Bluebulldog]

We've got a 14 week old lab at home as well. Be patient, they seem to pee a lot more than our other dog.

She's done the same thing, outside, pees, poops, and then once inside, often had a little piddle as well.

It's less about the dog "getting it" than about them understanding the bladder sensation, and the urge to urinate. I'm assuming that you're crate training him, which helps greatly in developing their abilities to "hold it".

We're coming on 2 weeks now without any incidents in the house with the exception of one in the crate. He'll catch on.

There will be varying opinions on this one, but we also started limiting her water after 6. It seemed to help.

[MikePal]

Not applicable to some owners....but I use an Alpha Dog theory. When I'm out on a walk, I make a point that they watch me 'take a leak' along the trail, let them sniff it. It doesn't take long for them to get the idea, when they are taught (see) what is expected of them.

[terrym]

Not applicable to some owners....but I use an Alpha Dog theory. When I'm out on a walk, I make a point that they watch me 'take a leak' along the trail, let them sniff it. It doesn't take long for them to get the idea, when they are taught (see) what is expected of them.

Don't live in a subdivision eh...

[krakadawn]

Don't live in a subdivision eh...

Or maybe just bold eh....

On a more serious note crate training is the best way to house train dogs. They will develop the awareness that they must wait. When airing be sure to go to the same spot each time so pup quickly recognizes this spot. He'll soon know why he's headed that way.
Last meal at night no later than 7 followed by airing time. Cut off the fluids by 8 followed by play and airing time then into the crate as late as your schedule allows.

Remember, pups have small bladders.....it happens.

As time goes by hopefully things will be better. If they are not you might have a medical issue or more than likely a slow maturing pup. All dogs are not created equally, some are much brighter........same as people.....hopefully he'll come along.

[400bigbear]

Lots of good advise put forth and they all have the word CRATE in them .

TD

[400bigbear]

Not applicable to some owners....but I use an Alpha Dog theory. When I'm out on a walk, I make a point that they watch me 'take a leak' along the trail, let them sniff it. It doesn't take long for them to get the idea, when they are taught (see) what is expected of them.

LMAO Mike and yes dis is true too .

TD

[jweese]

We definitely use a crate, we did for Misty as well. He is in it at night, and a couple times during the day for 30 minutes at a time, or until he settles down and relaxes (no barking/whining). Then, we wait about 20 minutes and let him out. He handles it fairly well - actually just let him out after 2 hours of napping.