In need of advice on puppy training

[disneyfreakk]

If you do get the spray, be sure to spray it outside or the whole room will smell like Strong urine!

 

[JillyBean1899]

Ohh, ohhh, just remembered an idea. Take a BIG jingle bell and tie it to a string on the back door (or whatever door you take them out ... make sure it's the same one each time). When you take them outside, hit the bell and open the door. They'll start to learn that "ring the bell" equals "open the door". A little bit of behavior shaping and they'll learn how to paw or nose the bell on their own.

Check out Karen Pryor's Clicker Training website, it's got awesome information on how to clicker train your dogs, which helps *A LOT* with potty training and obedience training (you are teaching manners in addition to potty training, right? ).

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

We got two lab puppies from a friend when they were 6 weeks old. We crate trained them. We lived in an upstairs apartment and trained them to go outside from the start.

As for the crate being cruel.... I have pictures of each of them (100+ lbs) as adults, sleeping on their backs in the crate, feet up on the top and/or spread eagle..... with their head hanging out the door on the tile. They LOVED their crates, it gave them a safe place and a way to confine them if necessary.

Good luck with your puppies!

 

[Eastern]

Side rant: Crate training is only cruel when people crate the dogs all day and go to work. I have seen this too many times, from otherwise intelligent people. It breaks my heart to see dogs kept in a box prison all day long. When I see this I speak up, even though it is awkward. Many people do not understand that crate training is a means to an end and not a lifestyle for dogs.

OP-I usually take my dogs out back when the weather is good, but when it's really snowy like it has been lately, I clear out a square area in the most convenient spot, even if it is right by my front doorstep. The grass isn't hurt and looks fine in the spring. I wouldn't worry about clearing a long path to a remote area, just do it where it's easy.

 

[lgjjp]

This is what we did to contain both pups when I can't watch them ( hopefully the pic worked ). We are still having accidents constantly so I covered all floor space with pads. As time goes on I will try to eliminate a pad at a time. We also started going out every hr however our weather is not snow and ice but rain so she's not happy outside and she has refused to go at all. We did take a puppy class last night and they said it's probably because she's so little and doesn't like the cold. As she gets older/bigger she should get better. We are also taking a potty training class next week( who knew they even had such a class) so hopefully as the weather gets better and she gets older things will improve. I found out that the people who had her before put pads in her cage and she peed and pooped in her cage so I think it's going to take awhile to change things. Wish us luck!!!

 

[sksjasams]

OP, that looks terrific! I'm sure it will really help with their progress.

Good luck!