What's the next step?

[HavingAMaybe]

Hello All

I have a generally lovely 4 month old lab/staffie (although complete parentage is unknown as he was a rescue dog, we're pretty sure that is his main mix).

So far, we've had one training session which focussed on general 'being the pack leader' stuff and we will be having a few more sessions over the next few weeks.

My most pressing concern at the moment is house-training, specifically the next step after taking him outside regularly, watching for signs he needs to go, praising him lavishly when he produces something in the right place. We don't scold for accidents, although our trainer suggests growling away to ourselves as we clean up if he's watching.

How do we get him to 'let us know' that he needs to go outside? Will this just kind of happen? I've googled and looked at a few books but they all seem to stop at the part we're currently up to.

Any advice/suggestions? I love this forum

The best advice I can give is to find a different trainer. Pack theory is really very outdated, largely disproven as being nonsense anyway, and using those methods could lead to a very unhappy and stressed dog.

As for toilet training. You should be watching your puppy like a hawk and aiming to have no accidents inside. By building a pateern of behavioru where the puppy is rewarded for toileting outside and by preventing accidents inside, he will learn where you want him to go to toilet.

Are you crate training him? Toilet training and avoiding accidents is much easier for you and the pup if you can confine him when you can't watch him.

Thanks midori, yes, he is crate trained pretty much. I can watch him almost all the time he's inside. I'm lucky enough that he can come to work with me. The only time I'm not watching him is when he's outside (aside from that amazingly quick few seconds every now and then that he manages to leave me a gift on the carpet!).

If I can't watch him for a longer period of time (while I am cooking for example) I tie him up as he does not relieve himself when he is restricted in moving away (a la crate training)

So what I am getting from your reply is keep going and it will happen eventually?

Thanks for your thoughts on training, but at present he is a very happy little dog who has pretty good manners for a pup

Agree with Midori change your trainer the pack theory is outdated, dangerous and a load of old b@@@@cks.

Yep keep going but it will take a long time for some dogs to ask to be taken out - but you will become aware of his routine. SO he may wee at breakfast lunchtime tea etc so you can ask him to go out but know tha the can usually hold it for a while

Thanks of minimu. I suspected it was just a matter of time and consistency!

I feel the need to clarify what methods my trainer uses and teaches. My one line comment about 'being the pack leader' was not a full summary of her methods at all.

She uses standard learning theory, involving conditioning, desensitisation, positive reinforcement etc. The 'pack leader' stuff was not in any way excessive and I don't believe it is/was causing my Louie any distress. In a way it is simply 'do as I ask and you will get your treat/walk/toy'
Through using a balanced (I believe) approach involving some pack theory and some classical traiing methods, we have a puppy who does not jump on people, who waits to be told he can eat and who obeys a 'leave it' command (about 80% of the time at the moment )
Phew! Please understand this is not a rant and I am very grateful for your input.

Not taken as a rant and I am glad that you are with a trainer who is a positive reinforcement fan.

Sorry if I jumped to conclusions but there are some really old school trainers out there - that can cause dogs and owners a lot of heart ache.

Your dog sounds a delight.

He is