Question about house training

[CanadianSherry]

Hi guys,

 

First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Sherry and I reside in Nova Scotia, Canada. My husband and I just purchased our first border collie after having golden retrievers most of our lives. We named our BC Nala; she is 9 weeks old and has been with us for five days.

 

We are crate training Nala and so far it's going beautifully. She pretty much sleeps through the night, without whining, and will even venture into her crate, on her own accord, during the day for naps. We are, however, having a wee problem with house training. When we take her outside, Nala immediately lays down on the ground and won't move. We've waited as long as 20 minutes but she just lays there and sniffs the grass. We've tried coaxing her along but still she lays. As soon as we bring her inside, she will run to the living room and do her business on the rug. I have never seen this behavior in a puppy before and I'm confused as to what to do next.

 

I should mention that Nala was reared in a barn with very little human contact so, naturally, she is somewhat timid and overwhelmed by human activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions that we might try to, first and foremost, address the potty issues and secondly, her timidness? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Best Regards,

Sherry

[MaggieDog]

Have you cleaned the rug well with an *ezymatic* cleanser? If you haven't, do so as it's likely she's returning to that spot because it "smells right". If you can, the next time she potties inside take the soiled paper towels outside to where you want to have her go and see if that triggers her interest. There are also "scent stakes" you can buy that may do the same thing.

 

With the above in place, I would tend to be a bit hardcore about pottying outside: When it is likely she needs to go, she goes out with you on leash and has 5 minutes to eliminate; if no result, carry her inside (so she can't have an accident) and put her in her crate for 10-15 minutes. Take her out again for 5 minutes, rinse and repeat. When she does potty, make a huge deal out of it, go on a walk, play a game, and/or take her inside for some free time in the house. The idea is that not eliminating = boring crate time and having to hold it (no relief), pottying outside = PARTY!!!, relief, and time out of the crate.

 

Generally the 5 minute rule training takes about a day or two to really start the puppy on the right track, but it *works* and in the long run, the time investment is WEEEELLLL worth it.

[jessc]

Have you cleaned the rug well with an *ezymatic* cleanser? If you haven't, do so as it's likely she's returning to that spot because it "smells right". If you can, the next time she potties inside take the soiled paper towels outside to where you want to have her go and see if that triggers her interest. There are also "scent stakes" you can buy that may do the same thing.

 

With the above in place, I would tend to be a bit hardcore about pottying outside: When it is likely she needs to go, she goes out with you on leash and has 5 minutes to eliminate; if no result, carry her inside (so she can't have an accident) and put her in her crate for 10-15 minutes. Take her out again for 5 minutes, rinse and repeat. When she does potty, make a huge deal out of it, go on a walk, play a game, and/or take her inside for some free time in the house. The idea is that not eliminating = boring crate time and having to hold it (no relief), pottying outside = PARTY!!!, relief, and time out of the crate.

 

Generally the 5 minute rule training takes about a day or two to really start the puppy on the right track, but it *works* and in the long run, the time investment is WEEEELLLL worth it.

 

I completly agree!

[Murphys mom]

First of all, welcome and congratulations!

 

Have you cleaned the rug well with an *ezymatic* cleanser? If you haven't, do so as it's likely she's returning to that spot because it "smells right". If you can, the next time she potties inside take the soiled paper towels outside to where you want to have her go and see if that triggers her interest. There are also "scent stakes" you can buy that may do the same thing.

 

With the above in place, I would tend to be a bit hardcore about pottying outside: When it is likely she needs to go, she goes out with you on leash and has 5 minutes to eliminate; if no result, carry her inside (so she can't have an accident) and put her in her crate for 10-15 minutes. Take her out again for 5 minutes, rinse and repeat. When she does potty, make a huge deal out of it, go on a walk, play a game, and/or take her inside for some free time in the house. The idea is that not eliminating = boring crate time and having to hold it (no relief), pottying outside = PARTY!!!, relief, and time out of the crate.

 

Generally the 5 minute rule training takes about a day or two to really start the puppy on the right track, but it *works* and in the long run, the time investment is WEEEELLLL worth it.

 

 

Excellent advice! I started right off with a routine like this and haven't had a problem since the first night. Whenever I took Murphy outside I would give him the command to go potty or poop. After he got treats and lots of praise. To this day if I tell him to go potty or go poop he does!

[CanadianSherry]

Thank you to everyone who offered advice. We have had success this morning! I took Nala outside and, as usual, she just layed on the ground and wouldn't go potty. I brought her inside and immediately placed her in her crate. I then took her out fifteen minutes later and she did exactly the same thing - layed on the ground - so back into her crate she went. On the third try she FINALLY stood up and began wandering, albeit very cautiously, around the yard. After about 20 minutes she went potty. I praised the heck out of her!!

 

I do have a question though. I was always taught that using the crate for means of punishment is not a good idea. Is putting Nala in her crate for not going potty considered a form of punishment? She is doing so fabulous with the crate right now, I'd hate to go backwards.

 

Thanks again for your suggestions!! You've been a tremendous help.

[Lewie'sMom]

Hi Sherry, and welcome to the BC boards.

 

I think using the crate as a punishment is more like a “time-out”. Think of it as sending a child to his room to think about his behavior. It’s not a bad place; he still sleeps plays and enjoys his room because it’s a safe-haven. So it is with your puppy’s crate. She doesn’t see it as punishment the way you do, it just gives her a little down time so you can redirect her attention. I use the crate even now if Lewie needs some redirection. Crates are good.

[MaggieDog]

The crate is not punishment - it's a way to keep the puppy from pottying (errorless housetraining) and restrict any environmental or self rewarding. The pup should be placed in the crate calmly, with no emotion.