Hi:
We have two 5 lb. dogs and I'm having a terrible time training them. Of course, it's freezing here in New Hampshire so I believe it's my fault. They have always been successful with wee wee pads so I've slacked off letting them out.
I've never had to train a dog before. Is the first step to take up the wee wee pads and just start a going outside schedule? I must be confusing them having the pads and taking them out too.
Thanks for any advice. I'm going to get the books suggested above.
Hey there! I'm in New Hampshire too! We are in southern NH..where are you?
Believe me, I've been freezing my behind off but luckily, our little chocolate lab Samson is being very obedient and he goes pretty much immediately when we take him out. I think he's following our yellow lab. They almost pee and poop in unison. LOL
I would recommend an outside only schedule. Do you have a crate? Dogs love a crate because it's like a cozy den to them.
Here's how to crate train a dog in a nutshell:
The crate itself. Should not be too big, and not too small. The space has to be just big enough for them to comfortably stand up, sit, turn around, and lay down. Put a nice blanket in there. Let them eat their food in their crate. My puppy spills his water all over so we feed him his food in his crate and them immediately let him out to drink his water, otherwise the water gets all over the crate. Generally, they will not do their business where they eat and sleep (assuming they are healthy and have nothing going on)
With dogs as small as yours, take them out immediately after eating..within 10-15 minutes. Do not stand out there more than 10 minutes or so with them. Just say "go pee" or "go poop" or whatever command you want to use. When they do, praise them like crazy in a really high, squealy voice the way we talk to babies and they must think we're morons..LOL
Once the dog has peed AND pooped, let them have run of the house and lots of positive fun playtime, but you have to watch them. If you cannot watch them, then into the crate. IF the dog has not gone, then back to the crate for 10-15 minutes and out again till they have done both after eating.
After a while out of the crate running around, they've gotten excited and yup, back out again because they might have to go again. Then, inside, and back into the crate for a while.
Every single time you take the pup out of the crate, the very first thing you should do before their paws hit the floor is take them out to go.
The pet stores have good pet odor removers so if they do have an accident, it will get their scent out and discourage them from going in the same spot again in the house. It's really important that they don't leave their mark in the house or they'll want to keep going there.
If you are consistent, they WILL get it.
For some reason, smaller dogs seem much harder to train.
Good luck!
