Puppy and toilet training. Truth please!

[angelinwellies]

Ok. So I am now the incarnate of the mummy bags “all the gear no idea” slogans but on puppies. We have a 17wk Old cockerpoo who is simply wonderful. I’ve grown up with dogs (shi tzu, mutt and dobermans) but this my first ‘all mine’ not shared in any form with another.

What’s the crack with trainers and puppy toilet training? It’s a minefield of misinformation and selling me shit nearly as bad as toilet training my two kids was!

How often do your cockerpoos or similar sized dogs go to wee an poo. And I’m curious do u stand next to it clicking or treating and yelling ‘good busy’ in its ear?

He originally went in a crate. Now as it’s summer the doors open he takes himself to the garden often as I work from home I simply cannot be stood next to him. I’ve been told by someone I’m causing myself issues my dog issues and clearly I’m a crappy doggy mummy. Surely as they grow they hold longer? Much like kids do. I managed not to break them. I can as I’m home often walk several times, there’s a garden, I’m pretty flexible and he’s usually right next to me!

Or is everyone genuinely doing this and I’m going to be in trouble? I’m trying to write this with the same exasperation I get about the regimes I was bombarded with for children but also slightly nervous I am in fact going to be up the proverbial.

Thoughts?

I do not know what it is about puppyhood that makes people think it is rocket science and just want to scare everyone off.

Toilet training is simple - usually because dogs are way more intelligent than us!

Dogs will usually want to wee outside.

Does you dog take himself outside to wee?
Does he wee indoors?

If he is taking himself outside to wee (with or without you hoovering over him) he is pretty much sorted - clever dog.

You may have a bit of a problem if the door is shut so keep an eye on him for signals that he does need to wee and make sure he has access to get outside.

If he is still weeing indoors you may need to change the routine a bit

Reading about having a puppy and having a puppy in my experience (ad I have had loads) are just not the same experience as many people try to scare you with. Your exasperation is well founded ignore and stick to you instincts! Enjoy him it goes so quickly

Everyone has an opinion on how to bring up pups. What I think people forget is that all puppies are different just as all households are. What works for one person won't work for everyone.

Ask yourself this. Is everything progressing as you expect? If so they keep doing what you are doing.

Ours goes outside now at fourteen weeks. He has learned to whine at the door or hit the handle if he needs letting out. At night he wakes us up if he needs to go out.

We take him outside every hour. If he goes, he gets a treat. If not, no big deal, we try again the next time. If he shows any signs of needing to go (circling, digging, sniffing) we take him out then too. This only works because he's never left alone - he's either home with one of us, or at work with DP.

If your technique is working for you, then keep at it. All dogs are different and will respond to different things.

I was never that over enthusiastic when my pups wee’d outside. Mainly because it was winter and freezing and their reward was we got inside again pretty sharpish . One of mine got it in days, the other one still does the odd pee indoors at 10 months. All pups are different and all owners are too. Just go with what works for you.

Brilliant!!! I am relieved. Thank you. Yeah it has been made quite scary - in fact exactly the same fear as toilet training kids was which is why I’ve been so exasperated.

He goes outside happily. Only accidents if I’m not at the door quick enough if shut / missed a signal. No ‘wanton’ mistakes.

Great, well, Gin all round then! Thank you very much 😁😁😁😁

Whoops that was supposed to be a grin not a bared teeth emoji!