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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

8 week old puppy. Losing the plot.

62 replies

MrsWineasaurus · 07/05/2017 07:05

Our new puppy is being crate trained. Seems to be getting the hang of it. Sleeps in there at night and when we go out (2 hrs max a day).

Only problem is he keeps having accidents in there overnight. Despite taking him out to go to the toilet and making sure he goes.

This morning I've woken up and there is shit everywhere and now he's refusing to wee on the mat. My house stinks and I'm literally at my wits end thinking I've made a mistake getting a puppy.

I really don't know what to do? 😩

OP posts:
GinIsIn · 07/05/2017 07:09

You need to stop using puppy mats for a start - all that teaches them is that it's ok to go inside. Think of it as being like a newborn. You need to put the crate somewhere you can hear him let you know he needs to go out. 8 weeks is so young - how long have you had this puppy for?

HmmmHashtag · 07/05/2017 07:09

He's not going to be able to hold his bladder/bowels all night yet. Is there room to put a puppy pad in the crate? As he gets older he will grow out of it.

LedaP · 07/05/2017 07:11

The puppy is only 8 weeks old. This is entirely normal.

As is your house being a bit whiffy at the moment. Our pup was 9 weeks when we got her and it was about a week before she stopped going in her crate. Even though we got up with her.

Personally i dont like mat training. It adds an extra step. Just make sure the dog goes out at least every hour and goes. Also after eating, playing and napping.

LedaP · 07/05/2017 07:13

Sorry forgot to say once she stopped going in the crate. We slowly extended the time at night between toilet trips.

Annahibiscuits · 07/05/2017 07:15

It's a bit concerning that you don't know 8 week old puppies can't go all night. There is lots of information on line to help you understand raising a puppy

NoSquirrels · 07/05/2017 07:15

8 weeks is only just left Mum stage isn't it? You need to get up overnight with him, like you would for a baby. When did you get him, and what did the breeder advise?

Original poster
MrsWineasaurus · 07/05/2017 07:16

We've had him for two weeks, breeder told us he was 8 weeks turns out he was just over 6! Is such a good calm puppy when he's laying on you. The minute you move or leave he barks and whines constantly. Not sure if this has anything to do with leaving Mum so early?

Can you go in the garden even though he's only had his first vaccination and not the second yet? That's the only reason I've been using pads.

We've been getting up once maybe twice during the night when he wakes to let him out to do his business and then putting him back in. Feel like such a bad owner for getting so upset and stressed. Knew it was gonna be hard but Jesus this is wayyy harder than I thought! Respect to all those people who have multiple dogs 😂

OP posts:
GinIsIn · 07/05/2017 07:17

Woah, that is WAY too young for a puppy to be separated from its mother!! Didn't you read up about it before you got one? 8 weeks is the absolute youngest they should be taken from their mothers! Of course it is messing in the crate - it shouldn't have been away from its mum at all at that age!

Original poster
MrsWineasaurus · 07/05/2017 07:18

Only problem is he keeps having accidents in there overnight. Despite taking him out to go to the toilet and making sure he goes.

It says there in my post we take him out during the night, I don't expect him to go all night at 8 weeks old. I'm really not that naive ☺️

OP posts:
GinIsIn · 07/05/2017 07:18

Have you had the puppy thoroughly looked over by a vet? Because it doesn't sound like it can be a reputable breeder.

Original poster
MrsWineasaurus · 07/05/2017 07:20

Yes, he had the vets on Monday and had a full check before his vaccination, he's completely healthy but on the small side. It was the vet that explained he may have been younger than 8 weeks, she put him around the 6-7 week mark. We honestly thought he was 8 weeks otherwise I would've refused to take him. X

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 07/05/2017 07:22

Yes you can take him into the garden as long as you don't share it with unvaccinated dogs it's fine.

LedaP · 07/05/2017 07:23

Right well the breeder is a dick.

How do you know he is 8 weeks? Is it in his papers? Did you not check the papers before buying the puppy?

Yes your dog can go in your garden.

I dont want to sound judgemental but have you done any research? At all? Asked the vet questions? Did the dog come chipped?

GinIsIn · 07/05/2017 07:23

You need to think of the puppy as a premature newborn in that case. Take him out every 30 mins in the day, and set an alarm and do it every 2 hours overnight. After a few days you can change that to 1 hour and 3 hours, then to 1 and a half hours and 4 hours.

Annahibiscuits · 07/05/2017 07:23

Don't you have the pups date of birth?

Why is the vet vaccinating a 6/7 week old puppy?

Besides that; you just have to keep at it, he will get it. I have a dog flap which makes it easier I think

GinIsIn · 07/05/2017 07:24

What breed of dog is it? Some learn faster than others.

LedaP · 07/05/2017 07:25

The dog should have gad a vets check when it was born. You should have paperwork for that, that confirms the dogs age.

My dog is small for a cocker. She has always been on the small side. But i know for a fact that she came from a reputable breeder and her age is correct?

What do you know about the breeder?

Original poster
MrsWineasaurus · 07/05/2017 07:37

Unfortunately we don't know anything about the breeder, they've said it was their first 'accidental' litter and it won't be happening again. We didn't see any papers/vet notes. Hence why we took him to our vet as soon as possible. They had said he was paper trained this was a lie (we did think he was a lil young to know this), they also said that he wasn't feeding off Mum which I do believe because he eats like a pig. We've had his check, vaccination, chip and flea/worming done by our vet.

He's a lovely pup, he's a PatterJack (Patterdale cross Jack Russell)

OP posts:
GinIsIn · 07/05/2017 07:39

Why the HELL did you get a puppy from a breeder you know nothing about?! For gods sake!! Hmm

I'm sorry but you've been a complete idiot. Also, patterdales and jack Russells are incredibly high energy, high needs breeds. Have you done any research into them at all?

measuringthemarigolds · 07/05/2017 07:40

You should report the breeder. Poor little pup. Poor mum.

Original poster
MrsWineasaurus · 07/05/2017 07:43

We've done quite a bit of research into the breed, decided he was the right size for us and my husband has plenty of time during the day to take him for walks and socialise him once his vaccs are done.

I came on here for advice, not to be judged. I feel bad enough as it. Just wanted some advice. X

OP posts:
LedaP · 07/05/2017 07:47

So it was an accidental pregnancy? Do you believe that?

No vets checks done at all, no papers? No chip?

Please tell you didnt pay for this dog and it was more of a rescue mission.

You do realise that the breeder is lying. And probably does this several times a year. Poor bloody dogs. By buying these dogs you are supporting their abuse.

As for training the puppy. Get up and take it out every 1-2 hours at night. Start training the dog to go outside. Not mats. You need to spend lots and lots of time with this very young puppy.

Annahibiscuits · 07/05/2017 07:47

Yeah, it doesn't sound like they ARE breeders, but an accidental mating. I don't think OP needs a hard time over that.

Going forward though, it just takes time. Try putting paper down rather than pads if that is what he is used to. It can be a hard slog but he will learn.

GinIsIn · 07/05/2017 07:47

I'm sure you do feel bad, but you should - the more people don't bother doing their research, the more these dodgy breeders and puppy farms gain traction. By not bothering to do this properly, you have supported puppy farming.

You have chosen a high maintenance dog, so it may take longer to toilet train, and it's still very, very young. Move the crate somewhere you can hear the dog signal it needs to go. Set an alarm and get up at regular intervals to take it out.

And don't ever get another dog without bothering to do so responsibly.

Original poster
MrsWineasaurus · 07/05/2017 07:49

Thanks everyone, going to start trying him outside is it every hour or half hour (advice online goes between these two) not sure which one to do?

I will continue to take him out during the night, not sure if I should increase the amount of times though as he's still having accidents despite this.

OP posts:
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