Dog owners...need your help!

[Mickey Fliers]

Okay, my 11 week old puppy likes to piddle in the house at night. I am not sure what to do. Starting at about 5:00 pm, we can take him outside and 10 minutes later we will catch him peeing on the floor right in front of us. Last night, he did it four times! I know that it isn't a bladder control issue, because he sleeps in his crate all night without an accident (10:00 pm - 6:00 am). Is this normal? I have never had a dog before and really need some encouragement. The book we have says that he will give us some warning, but he does nothing. Just stops walking and goes.

To make matters worse, I can't take him to "puppy school" as planned this week, because he came down with a parasite that is contagious to other dogs. I think he came from the breeder with it. Argh! I don't know what to do.

Thanks for letting me vent and for any help you can provide!

 

[NMAmy]

I'm not an expert by any means but I've potty trained a lot of dogs (including our new puppy over the summer.) How long are you staying out with him around that time period? Perhaps if you stayed out with him longer? Are you giving him lots of praise when he goes outside? DH laughed at me at first because I am SO extremely lavish with my praise and treats for going outside but now, when she's outside with me, our puppy will go on command. She doesn't do that for him.

He might be looking for some attention--they're just like little kids and even negative attention is better than none. If your house is like mine, 5:00 is a busy time what with everyone coming home and dinner and homework and we have to pay extra attention to the puppy or she'll do something bad for attention.

Good luck with it. It can be frustrating but it's wonderful once they're trained well, it'll be worth it.

 

[phillybeth]

11 weeks old is still a BABY. He has very little control over his functions. At this age the crate is your friend. If you cannot supervise him EVERY second, put him in the crate. Let him outside every 30 minutes, and if he goes he gets some 'free' time in the house. If not, it's back in the crate until he does go. After eating, drinking, sleeping, playing, same thing- outside or in the crate. Consistency is the key.

 

[goofy4tink]

11 weeks old is still a BABY. He has very little control over his functions. At this age the crate is your friend. If you cannot supervise him EVERY second, put him in the crate. Let him outside every 30 minutes, and if he goes he gets some 'free' time in the house. If not, it's back in the crate until he does go. After eating, drinking, sleeping, playing, same thing- outside or in the crate. Consistency is the key.

Absolutely!!! The crate is a wonderful tool. No playing outside...just business until he 'gets it'. If he doesn't 'perform' then back into the crate. Try again in 20 minutes and repeat until he is successful. It is a pain but so very worth it in the long run. Good luck.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Thanks, guys, for the advice. Fortunately, he does "go" every time we take him outside. He has learned to do it almost on command. Unfortunately, he thinks he needs to do it again 10 minutes after coming in the house. There in lies the problem. Knock on wood, he is doing great today. I am hoping for no accidents tonight. We will see what happens as our dinner time approaches. Again, thanks for the advice and if you have any more, please keep it coming!

 

[r3ngels]

I have no idea why but my puppy always had a ton of accidents at night. But I agree 11 weeks old is still so young. I would be happy he is dry all night in the crate.

Good Luck... I just went through it-- not fun. aw:

 

[disykat]

I was also thinking - busy time of day, everyone home, lots going on, and possibly a bit less supervision while everyone attends to other things. I agree with those who say a little more crate time at this time of day would be helpful. He's probably very excited to have the whole pack home and needs more time to get used to the routine.

 

[goofyforlife]

Is there any possiblilty of a bladder infection? Our puppy had one that caused her to have a few accidents before we took her to the vet and found out.....

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Well, I don't think he has a bladder infection, because he stays dry all night in his crate (8 hours). Update, though. We had our first "accident free" day.

No accidents at all last night. Of course, that probably means that I am going to pay for it today!

 

[goofyforlife]

Well, I don't think he has a bladder infection, because he stays dry all night in his crate (8 hours).

Yes but they stay dry in their crates because animal won't pee where they sleep instinctively....

Neither of my dogs ever went in their crate.... Not even abby when she did have a bladder infection....

I will say though that when they are that young it does take persistence (that and lots of paper towels and enzyme cleaner) to finally housetrain them. Our lab was pretty much housetrained when we adopted her at 8 wks. Abby, our Bernese, knew to go outside but found it easier to just pee where she was..... (well that and our current house isn't the best setup for housetraining because we have three floors and to go out the dogs have to go down to the first floor (basement level)

Congrats on a dry night.....