Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject: Toilet training - when to start scolding?
Hi All
Caoimhe will be 17 weeks old tomorrow and, on the whole, toilet training is going well.
She hardly ever has accidents in the house when we are in to take her out as she sits by the door when she needs. Also, she is able to sleep right through the night on most nights without having to go.
The problem is when she is left for any length of time she wee's and poos on the floor. My partner and I work but have somebody to come in for her over lunch so she is usually left from 8 - 11 and 2 - 5. Is it just that she can't hold herself yet or is she taking this as norm? Should I start giving her into trouble for it?
ps. she also eats her own poo when she does it inside (never outside) gross, I know, but apparently normal for puppies (I'm REALLY hoping she grows out of that one!)
There is really no point in scolding if you dont actually catch her doing it - she wont know waht you are scolding her for.
What times do you feed her? Altering these may help her last the 3 hours when you arent there, also what do you clear it up with, it has to be a special biological solution (washing powder will do) or they will still be able to scent where they have been before and go there again.
The only thing I did with Ruby if I caught her in the act was clap hands saying outside outside - and that was at about 5.5 months when she had a UTI and her house training regressed.
I am wondering if Caoimhe is exhibiting some seperation anxiety issues when being left, albeit for short periods. Do you use a crate/pen? These are marvellous as puppies can be put in them and you know they are safe and so is your house from chewing! Also, puppies do not like soiling their own immediate environment. Before you started leaving her, did you do it gradually ie 5 minutes at a time and then returning without making any fuss of her whatsover? Then, leave her for 10 minutes before returning and not making any fuss of her. This way, Caoimhe knows that when you go out, you will come back and that by not petting her or making a fuss of her, she will look to you as pack leader and that you are able to come and go as you please and she doesn't need to worry about you.
Try reading a book called the "Dog Listener" (paperback) by Jan Fennel. In the book, she has written about case stories about seperation anxiety. I think this is what your little girl pup might be suffering from, especially as she is eating her own poo (coprophagia) only when she messes indoors and not outdoors.
I am sure someone else will be along to give any suggestions.
She gets fed about 7.15 and gets taken out twice before I leave. At lunch it's about 12/ 12.30. I've noticed she does drink alot though (and is really messy about it too! We have a Caoimhe towel for mopping up her spilt droolings).
I do wash the floor with washing powder about once a week but to save hassle I use antibacterial wipes on a daily basis.
We don't crate her as we had a lot of bother with it int he beginning. She hated it and was really anxious whenever we shut her in. She is left in the lobby area which joins onto the kitchen and seems quite happy there. We left her gradually for longer times and the majority of the times we return now she has been sleeping up until we come back.
I do wash the floor with washing powder about once a week but to save hassle I use antibacterial wipes on a daily basis.
are they specifically for pet mess? If they arent then the scent to her wont be removed so she will think its her toilet space - I used to use simple solution - dead easy you just soak or pick up the mess and then pour it on and leave it to soak in here it is simple_solution
I havent a clue about SA so will leave that to others
yes it works on all surfaces - or you can mix up a solution of biological washing powder and use that too I have never used this method but understand it works just as well
Alfie is 15 weeks old and is very good in the house now, we still jhave some accidents with the wee! When they are left on their own Alfie is in his crate and never messes/wee sin it. We take him outside as soon as we get home and he does his business. It's a shame you didn't have much success witrh the crate, it's been a godsend with both of mine. Sorry I haven't been at all helpful
As others have said, if you scold her she will have no idea why you are cross.....it could also have a very negative effect of making her anxious everytime you go out, so making her even more likely to soil indoors.
Try not to let her see it bothers you and try not to clear it up as the first thing you do when you get in, as she may inadvertantly think that by pooing and peeing indoors, this actually makes you come home.
When you get home, walk straight into the garden, say a quick Hello to her out there, then shut her out there (so she can't see you) while you clear up, using either Biological Washing powder or Simple Solution...Never use anything with bleach in as this smells like urine to a dog and so encourages them to use that place again.
Lastly, dogs which are not crated *can* take up to 6 months old before they are clean, so at 17 weeks you may still have a few weeks yet to go.
Oh and if she is eating her own poo, try adding a little pineapple or grated courgette to her food, this should make her poo taste really disgusting. Also try not to let her see you clearing up her mess, especially as soon as she has done it....Some dogs think that you are wanting the poo for yourself, so try to get in quick to eat it.
On the whole dogs just don't think like humans at all.
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gross, I know, but apparently normal for puppies (I'm REALLY hoping she grows out of that one!)
