A question about "housebreaking" Rudy
His first few days he averaged two "accidents" in the house. Going out constantly, with Hudson, seemed to give him a pretty clear idea of what the expectations were, and he's doing great. Then we had one accident one day, and went four days without any. Then just one (overnight) and a day and a half of doing great. Honestly, I'm delighted with his progress. We were told he did not have the housebreaking thing down before we got him, so we were prepared for anything. My question is this: I've been taking him out A LOT, and he usually will pee whenever he goes out (small amounts as they are frequent). So, at this point, I don't know if he's aware that he is NOT to go in the house or if he just happens to not go in the house because he's out so often and drained. So, is it better to keep taking him out frequently or should I be trying to extend the amounts of time between trips outside to get him used to the idea that he has to 'hold it' until he goes out again? (My worry in extending it is that it may cause him to have more accidents, and then it could take longer to undo that.) Or, maybe I'm just completely overthinking this. When he's crated during the day he holds it for an extended period of time, and when I come home he goes out and will often play with Hudson for a few minutes before he pees so I know he's got some control. If the duration of the pee is short (he's eager to get back to playing) I'll encourage him to "make a pee" again before coming in. He'll often do that and then I feel he's able to be trusted indoors for a while at least. I still tend to send him out right after a wild play, right after eating, and whenever he wakes up from a nap. Hudson just stays at the top of the stairs and doesn't even want to come out during these times. He just feels it's not needed I guess. I know that in my mind I'm following more of the guidelines for training a young puppy. And since Rudy is at least a year old, I am just wondering if I am possibly doing him a disservice by never giving him a chance to "hold it" for a bit longer period of time while uncrated. |
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| I do just like you have done - even with dogs not reported to have any house training issues. I want to start them off successful and keep it that way!
When you are ready to lengthen the time, pick a time when you are there and can watch him for signs of "I gotta go" and let him out. Then he should not regress w/ accidents. I shut doors to other rooms to minimize the possibility they might sneak off and do the job out of sight too. 
My Riley and foster Harley are like Hudson - many times they choose not to go out and go out maybe every other time the other dogs go out.  But, both have proven they really can hold it - so we honor the preference.  |
| I was alway told that when you brought a dog into a new living situation to treat it like a puppy where housbreaking was concerned for about 1 month. No matter the age. They have to learn all over again what it is that is expected of them. I would think that the continued praise for going potty & poo outside (numerous times a day) would start to sink in after 3-4 weeks. At that point I think I'd start to lengthen the time. My dogs have all lived here for years & I still have them on a schedule of: 1st thing in the morning, 1hour after breakfast., 1st thing when I get home from work(right now that is mid-afternoon), before dinner, 1 hour after dinner & right before bedtime at 10PM. If they happen to act antsy at other times I take them outside. Again, I am a firm believer in trying to avoid negative incidents. |
| poor tracie, overthinking the the issue. she should re-read rudy's blog and realize just how sharp he is.
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| Hi Tracie, I don't have my Oes yet, but I do have 2 other dogs. I put a bell on the back door and have trained them to ring it when they have to go out. This seems to work really well. So well that my cat trys to do it so she can go out too!!!,LOL . Also when you go out with him to go potty you can make sure that he know that is why is is out there my taking him right back in after he goes and you praise him Then he know outside means potty. |
Housebreaking can be so frustrating. Chloe came to me with polite house manners. However, our 15 month old grand-boxer still has potty/poo accidents if not taken out hourly.  Today, after reading all the posts, I decided to scold, and put her into time out! She has been in the Hall of Shame once today.  I gate her in for roughly ten minutes without toys, etc. She cannot see us, but if I do come within sight, I continue to scold her, or ignore her. I'm anxious to make this work, and she is going to be here for ten days. I'll post a "shame" picture..really, she's adorable. |
| Cappi has only been with me 3 days 4 (long) nights, a couple of accidents in the night but mostly daytime he has been ok.
i also have him out alot and the door has been open almost all the time, so he knows to go outside and has been. but i'm not teaching him to hold it longer, last night was not fun, he had a great time waking me up to go out and not doing anything. i darent ignore him, when will i know the difference? sunday night was great only twice and he slept the rest of the time. he's playing me, i know it, this morning, but not in the middle of te night. |
| Hi Lesley
Cappi won't be able to hold his bladder yet .Rule of thumb is if he Eats or drinks he usually needs to go out within 20 mins .When he wakes up put him out straight away.If he plays for a while he will need to go out. Are you limiting his water at night ? Cappi sounds like a bright pup he has already worked out if he makes certain noises mam comes running  |
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