New puppy and toilet training

[mumgoingcrazy]

This is my first time on this board. We got a rescue puppy a week ago, she is about 11 weeks old and very sweet but we have a real issue with toilet training.

We were making great progress and 3 days ago even got to the stage where there was no messing in the house and she was crying to go out. However, the last 2 days we have regressed and she isn't doing anything outside and is actually waiting to come in before doing her business. We ignore it when she does it inside and when outside praise her and give her a treat. What has happened? There has been no incidents with other dogs. She's been through the mill and bit and we know it will take time to settle but we were doing so well.

We started puppy classes last week so hopefully that will help.

We've always had older dogs, this is the first puppy we've had so its new territory. Any advice greatly appreciated.

[daisydotandgertie]

You have only had her a week! It will take way more than that to get house training sorted reliably. Way more!

Keep plugging on, it'll be a good month or so before the penny starts to drop.

[vigglewiggle]

Our puppy is 4.5 months and has recently started weeing and pooing inside again. This coincided with the cold snap - I think we have a wussy dog.

[mumgoingcrazy]

Thanks daisy, maybe I'm expecting too much from her. I just couldn't understand why we were pretty much there and then we went backwards.

[mumgoingcrazy]

Sorry cross posted.

Actually we were doing well until 3 days ago and that does coincide with it getting very cold. Maybe our pup is a wuss too!

[daisydotandgertie]

You'll get there, but there will be a few more backwards and forwards times yet. Keep going as you are; praise the good, completely ignore any accidents and to speed things along, make the pup and toileting the focus of your life for the next fortnight.

Try to take her outside every half hour, after every snooze, every meal and every game. She will get there. Promise.

Put on your warmest coat, gloves and shoes and wait outside until something happens. In no time you'll be able to read her signals and wee/poo intervals and the hours spent outside will reduce.

[mumgoingcrazy]

Thank you daisy, we'll keep on going and hopefully she'll get it.

[mumgoingcrazy]

Sorry whilst you are all helping, can i ask something else. It's a bit gross but she likes eating her own poo. Why is this?

[SpicyPear]

At that age they are only just starting to be able to hold it. My pup is 15 weeks, had him from nine and still has the odd accident. He also regresses sometimes, e.g. yesterday after three days consistently ringing his buzzer to be let out he came straight in from a walk and peed in the kitchen. I agree the cold probably has something to do with it. You just need to go back to basics, not waiting for her to ask.

[daisydotandgertie]

Could be a number of things.

Possibly in her previous life she has been really bollocked for poo/wee accidents and now thinks the problem is the poo itself, so to avoid a bollocking eats the evidence.

Certain foods can encourage poo eating, as can dietary deficiencies. So can hunger.

Dogs are pretty grim and some like troughing on poo for the sake of it. One of mine is particularly partial to it. Today she has eaten swan poo, goose poo and a helping of peacock poo to finish off.

To try and break the habit, or at least discourage it from continuing bag the poo immediately it is done. And really really ignore any accidents in the house. No hand clenching, huffing, tutting, commenting or anything, don't even look at her. Clear up with no emotion at all - just in case she was bollocked before you had her.

[mumgoingcrazy]

Thank you, we have no idea what her first few weeks were like so these suggestions are all possible. I will definitely bag the poo once done,at least then she doesn't get a chance to tuck in!

Thank you all