Puppy came home yesterday! toilet training tips?

[AmIAWeed]

So we've been talking about a dog for a few years, we always said when we have our own house we'll get one.
We've been in our house since February and yesterday the puppy came home, he's a cocker spaniel called Puppy-dog, hes currently curled up at my feet in the office after a pretty exhausting night, although in his defence he slept from 10-3:30 and settled again at 5.
My concern is toilet training. The carpet in half the house is being ripped up in 2 weeks time and being replaced with kardean so i'm not too fussed if he poops now (although the smell is gag worthy!!)
He is 9 weeks, I've been outside with him for almost 40 minutes after his food, he did a wee and got lots of praise but no poo....I go on the school run, come home and he's poop'ed!
so any tips? What's the best way you've found to get your puppy going ?

I took a month off with my puppy and to be honest I hardly left the house during that time and spent most of it freezing cold in the garden as it was the middle of winter.

Take the puppy out after every meal, drink, play, sleep and frequently in between. I soon learnt that it takes about 30 mins after a meal for my puppy to poo and running about in the garden helped that happen. Manically praise every time they go outside and have a key word(s) so they associate toileting with it as this can help to encourage them later.

Expect accidents though, even when you think you are watching them they suddenly decide to pee :)

Hi Bitey
Thank you for the advice. I did ask the breeder if I should be taking hi out every hour to go and she said I was nuts and would drive myself insane, she felt the time after feeding would be best...but thats only 3 times a day and I read puppys poo upto 6 times a day :/

As soon as he wakes from this current nap I'll take him out..
Ok so as I was writing he woke up, we went out, no wee - he just kept running up to me. We came in, instantly tried weeing, I picked him up popped him outside....no wee, other than the bit that dribbled down my hand (nice!)
so should I leave him to wee in the house if he starts or try and move him outside, is that as bad as shouting at him??

As soon as he indicates a wee straight outside. No fuss or chat just out!!
As soon as he wakes up - outside and stay with him don't just put him out - he won't have a clue why he is out alone!! Lots of praise for wee and poo!! No fuss or chat if you need to clean anything up. And enjoy him!!

super, I did carry him out and it's a super short distance from the office to the front garden where he's hopefully going to start doing his business, I was just concerned that moving him as soon as he starts might spook him
I do stay out with him as whilst we have a large front and back garden there are a few gaps in the hedge that he could escape if left whilst he's so small.
It's like having a newborn all over, it doesn't matter how much I read it doesn't seem to prepare me!

If I caught mine mid pee I picked up and carried outside but said nothing to him. When he peeded outside I looked like a loon praising him and initially treating him with a little food. This reinforced that outside good things :)

I still even now find myself praising him and he is 7 months old and fully toilet trained

At the beginning taking him out lots is key because as soon as he goes you can praise and it is that I think that they use to start to associate outside is good.

Also look at the puppy survival thread on here (and join as you will get lots of support).

You have to give this time - he is just a baby and has a lot to learn.

I would be taking out a lot for the first few days so he gets the idea of where he should pee.

Definitely take him out when he wakes and after eating. Stay out for a while to give him chance to pee it can take a while to start with . As he is a new to the area he will get sidetracked by things around him so may not wee so give him time to mooch around and then he is more likely to wee.

When he does pee give him lots of praise. Try not to let him wee inside as it will be confusing for him. The only way to prevent weeing inside is to take him out regularly. If he does ignore him clean it up and say nothing.

Enjoy your new puppy

I brought home my puppy at 8 weeks. This is what I did.

• Crate trained. This is their safe place for rest and sleep. Never use as a punishment! Also they don't mess in their beds.
• 1st week took them out every 15 minutes and gave prompt to 'go'. Their bladders are weak and can't hold longer than this.
• 2nd week took them out every 30 minutes and after each feed. On waking and before bed.
• Regular routines for feeding & exercise.

Puppy was going to the door herself to be let out within the first two weeks. I can honestly say we only had one accident where I did not get to the door quick enough and puppy went on the door mat.

Never used puppy mats or newspaper in the home. Why train to go on paper to then have to train to go outside.

Hope this helps.

Dog crate with bed.

Also I use a cover on our crate so puppy can't see out. This keeps them feeling secure and stops draughts.

PUPPY DOG DID A WEE OUTSIDE!
I went to make a cuppa and he woke up, I stared at the kettle boiling and realised I was not allowed to drink my tea whilst encouraging him to go, on account of he woke up before it had fully boiled!
But he went out, did a wee almost instantly and we jumped and coo'd and made so many happy noises and fusses it was lucky I wasn't holding a mug of boiling water!!
Clever puppy dog....now we just need to repeat, lots!

That's great news!

Use words too - as soon as they pee say "go wee" (or whatever words) and for the other we used "go poop" - eventually they will be able to go on demand which does make life easier.

Obviously fuss and happy noises afterwards too - but try to get the words associated with the act.

Every half an hour
After eating
After playing
After sleeping

Don't let the dog out of your sight. As soon as they start sniffing around the floor, whip them straight outside if they haven't been for a while.

I got my pup on Saturday and so far we actually haven't had many accidents.

She had a couple the first night, and a poo last night when I didn't take her out in time, but apart from that, she's gone outside almost every time

Well she woke up, went outside and did a wee, we had 20 minutes running about and no poop, came inside and the little monkey did another wee, so straight back outside for another 10 minutes. trying to have some quiet time with pup curled up on my lap before lunch at 1230 and we spend more time outside waiting for poo's and wee's!
The lady we got her from used wee and woo as her words but it just doesn't come as naturally as 'get busy' which I am used to.
oh well, we will get there!

@DevilsDumplings Brilliant advice - follow that and you can't go wrong!!

This is a great guide to toilet training and there's also an excellent one for crate training should you decide to go down that route.

It's very common for puppies to do the weeing as soon as they come inside thing. If you've taken the pup out and think she needs a wee bit hasn't done one then bring her inside but carry her round for a little bit (we're talking a matter of seconds up to a minute or so at most here) then take her straight back outside and pop her down on the ground. The vast majority of the time if the puppy needs to go they will straight away.

Thanks Cornflake, I'll try the carrying inside tip and see if that works.
We've had lunch and 2 poo's outside and a wee, so much excitement.

I am considering not doing the crate, only because both my children are much older and very good for leaving puppy when he's in his bed. Last night he had the spare bathroom with his bed in as his room so there wasn't too much space but enough room to move about if needed...also that's one of the rooms we're ripping the carpet out of in 2 weeks time! i'll see how he goes though and if he appears to be feeling a little lost i'll get him a crate

Holy moly I had no idea a puppy was so demanding! That's worse than a baby human!

Yep!

why isn't it warmer to keep going in and the house

It was -4 at night when I got my puppy. I remember shivering lots thinking hurry up and pee

Kidakidder - I keep telling myself it'll be hard work for the first 6 months to a year and we'll be rewarded many times over with a well-behaved family dog....my kids 11 and 13 years on are still demanding and not as well behaved!!