Toilet training puppy

[RunningLatte]

Very curious to know at what age people's puppies were clean indoors and whether you went with the using newspaper, or taking outdoors approach - or both.
We have a new addition of a lovely 9 week old puppy and I'm interested to know when the majority of you found 'accidents' become unusual,and finally,unlikely ( and whether any of you never managed full house training...)

(RunningLatte with Easter namechange )

Thank you so much everyone! Back for an update as I'm so pleased!

Little puppydog is now (already!) doing the vast majority of his business outside following all your brilliant bits of advice .What a clever boy!

I am excluding him from the carpetted room where he had most of his accidents,which is not too much bother.I'm guessing that when we've got a good grip on house training he'll be able to go back in there again - I'm hoping any lingering smell won't cause a regression to him thinking its the correct place to go.(any thoughts on this theory anyone?)

Now when I take him outside and say 'be quick' it doesn't seem he's taking long (most times) to squeeze out a little bit of pee so he can have one of those lovely treats .

Anyhow,I'm not pushing my luck,and I'm going to keep with what seems to be working for a good while now until thats firmly established before I try to go any further,even though it means going out every hour,if not more...Worth it for a lifetime with a happy clean dog!

Again,thank you everyone!

HI,
I am thinking of the Ian Dunbar method for Rafa, if it has such quick results. ... not sure I can bear to crate him up for such a long time.... has anyone else tried it..., other than Belinda? Is 1 day a reasonable length of time.

Like most of you, we have good days and bad days here..today was one of those days where he sneaks off when you aren't looking and leaves a little pile ... but he gives me one of "those" looks ( see photo) and I can't be cross!

I don't think it necessarily means they're in their crates for very long. It's more about timing. You only let them play 'free' in the house if they e just toileted outside.

But I never had crate guilt as my dog never fussed in his crate. Always had a stuffed kong or something while in it at that stage (now he empties it of stuff before he goes in as he just likes to sleep in there).

OK... operation Dunbar started at 6:30am today ... will report back!

06:30am all well. He did a poo and a wee outside.... lots of fuss and a treat. I let him roam for another half an hour then back in his crate.

Couldn't face leaving him so sad for a whole hour so I have been letting him out, encouraging him outside after 30 mins. So far, no performance at all .. nothing.. nada... so back in his crate he goes for another 30mins.

He has toys in there and food and water, but is still giving me "that look"

This could be a very long day!

Wizzler the puppy obviously isn't going to be actually toilet trained in one day, but shouldn't have any accidents in the house, ever, this way, which makes it a very quick method. Puppies are fully capable of 'holding on' and toileting in the right place from several weeks old (as soon as they can move around) but as far as a puppy is concerned, until it knows otherwise, the right place to go is anywhere except it's own bed. This is why crates are so useful because obviously its absolutely impossible to totally supervise a puppy 24/7 and most puppies will do their absolute utmost to hold on and not toilet in their bed, so by using a crate you're using the natural instinct of the puppy to your advantage.

Just make sure your puppy has plenty to do in the crate and of course, it's fine to have the crate where the puppy can see you, which is one of the reasons Ian Dunbar suggests a large cat box, it's portable.

Well he has performed once now, so I for one feel better. His crate is in the kitchen, where I have been for most of the morning.

Hopefully he will cotton on soon... and as you say Midori1999 there should be no accidents...

Good luck!

So far no accidents... however we have relaxed the rules ( alot).
Although he was not unhappy in his crate, he didn't play, or do anything other than sleep or look mournful ... So after about 3pm yesterday we have been much more easy going, but MUCH more diligent about taking him out on the hour every hour.... and it seems to be working...

He is clean in his cage overnight, so he definitely is capable ... and he tries hard to please so I am sure it wont be too long!

I think you're doing the right thing Wizzler (being more relaxed). This is a very temporary phase you're in. You will find that as your pup grows he can hold it in longer and he will become more regular in his habits. In addition, once you cut down the number of meals he will need to go less often, once you start the regular walks he will start to do his business on his walks and, as you get to know your pup you will recognise the signs that he needs to go. In the meantime help him get into good habits by being vigilant and taking him outside at regular intervals and after meals, play and sleep.

Should have added that my pup was pretty much trained by 4 months but still with the odd accident by 20 weeks (usually our fault for dropping our guard as we got more relaxed about it).

RunningLatte sorry for not checking back. I honestly think it was just repetition & for us taking her outside less often (disclaimer: she is an adult and much more capable of holding than an pup) as it made the whole process much less stressful, we just took her out whenever she got off her bed which isn't very often because she is lazy

Sounds like you are getting there though. I honestly believe you know when they get it although you might still have accidents. Before you know if he will be asking to go out