potty training signals
So- Cambridge is doing fairly well with the potty training. As long as I instigate taking him out. If I don't see he needs to go, he doesn't try to tell me he needs to go. Every other dog I've had has barked, gotten mouthy, or like Cooper, uses a paw to tell me. I've always tried to stay away from doggie door bells because I know dogs many times will use them anytime they want to go out, not just for potty time. all that to say..... should I give Cambridge time to find his own way to tell me he needs to go, or is there something else I can do so he and I can be on the same page? thanks! |
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| I would keep doing like you are doing for a bit yet. It will help really cement in that "only go outside" habit. Then when you do start lengthening the interval, you can be on the lookout for some sign. It will be interesting what he uses...they all have their own was of "telling" us. I've got 2 who are silent and just stand by the door, and then all the way to Simon the basset who whines and paces and comes and gets me until I ask "do you have to go potty?" and he goes bonkers barking and bouncing  .... (and he's almost 13...  ) |
| dawn, thanks for the laugh. my silent stand by the door guy learned as the yrs went by if the newspaper was in front of my face he better waddle on over and nose bash that paper or head bash my arm from the side.  |
| Simone stares, gets frustrated because DH isn't paying attention, so huffs. I catch on a bit earlier. Jack paces the hall. He used to use the bells. I need to reinforce bell use again. Harry is a noser, right into your face, "Hey, I gotta go!" |
| I have never had one of my dogs "tell" me thay had to go out unless maybe they were sick. My dogs are housebroken with a normal routine that lasts their lifetime. The important thing is to take him out frequently now so when he does happen to do his businees outside there is plenty of opportunity for praise. Gradually lengthen the time in between for going outside. And don't assume that within a few weeks he's trained for good. At about the 5-6 month mark you will swear his brains fell out of his head thru his ears. |
^^^^^^^^   Some are slower to find them and reinsert than others too. |
| ok, so far no one has specifically taught anything then, other than those who use the bells on the door. I typically take a puppy out all the normal times. Just waking up, just finished eating, just finished playing, etc... I teach pee/potty on command and in the past I've taught all my dogs to potty when I decide to take them out. When I wake up, when my daughter walks them in the afternoon when her stuff is finished. Because those times can vary my dogs usually have a way to tell me hey mom! hello! did you forget me? I need to go out now! My mini poodle can go twice a day and be fine. Normally he gets more chances because we go out to play, or ride in the car, whatever. But he is fine with twice. My goal, long term of course, is for C to be the same way. I guess I'll just wait and see what sign he decides to pick to let me know. |
| yeah!!! Cambridge has started going to the front door when he needs to potty. you DO have to be watching carefully, as it's more a drive-by than an actual stop, but he's getting the idea! whoo-hoo!! |
ruforgvn wrote: I've always tried to stay away from doggie door bells because I know dogs many times will use them anytime they want to go out, not just for potty time. It sounds like you are making progress, but if you want to use the bells this is no reason to hesitate. If the dog has ANY way of telling you they want to go out, then they can use that way to go out even when they don't need to potty. |
SheepieBoss wrote: ^^^^^^^^ Some are slower to find them and reinsert than others too.I love that. We have all the fun to look forward to |
| Kenny is very inconsistent with peeing....i can usually tell when he needs to go but for no good reason. Sometimes he starts sniffing...sometimes he goes to the door. Sometimes he just looks like he's going to pee. |
| true... but I won't have to listen to bells jingle all the time for nothing. I don't care if he ends up parking himself by the door just 'cause he wants to go out and play! |
| We used to use bells for Bones' potty training, but did deal with the issue of her ringing them just to go outside and play/get a treat. The difference between those trips was that yes, while she was rewarded with being able to run around, we never ran around and played with her, and she quickly learned that if she didn't go potty, she didn't get to play with us, AND she didn't get a special awesome super delicious treat! So now every time we go outside, she potties first thing because we always praised her the most when she went right away. No potty, no play, no treats! The consistency of that worked really well for her. The turning point was when it clicked that potty-time was strictly outside business. Once she understood that in no circumstance could she go potty inside, she learned that she HAD to let us know in some way. There's now a distinct sense of urgency that lets me know when she actually NEEDS to go-- the way she breathes her hot breath straight into my face and gives the tiniest of whines and frustrated huffs-- but I guess that doesn't help you in the short run.  It took time, but I've figured out every cue she displays and I know the difference between needing potty-time and needing play-time. Just keep a sharp eye out, and pay attention to his behavior when he is going potty; that way, if you see him doing anything similar inside, you can quickly show him that he can't do that inside (a quick "NO!" did it for me), that he does need to go outide (and once he goes, praise him to high heavens!), and eventually (hopefully) he'll understand that he'll need to let you know.Good luck! |
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