Puppy housebreaking

[Tammy525]

Rosie is a 14 week old sheltie mix. She is a GREAT puppy and getting along very well with Scout the BC/mix/wonder dog. BUT housebreaking is not going so well. She potties on command outside, but can't go more than 30 minutes without having an accident inside. If I keep her on a tight crating schedule, she does well. Outside, 30 minutes of free play inside, in the crate for one hour, outside..... But I have to set the timer, and if I forget for 10 extra minutes, there is a surprise for me on the floor. She has never gone in her crate and stays there all night, with only very occasional trips out.

 

My only other housebreaking experience was with our golden puppy. She took about 5 days at 7 weeks old and only had 2 accidents EVER in the house.

 

Is there an average age for housebreaking?

Is Rosie just young and she will grow out of this?

Am I doing something really wrong? We are doing all the other things, plenty of exercise, goes out right after she eats, lots of love, etc. She is out of the crate from 4pm on, taken out every 30 minutes. We just use the schedule during the day.

She is super smart and learned all of her commands in one week.

 

We tried the supervigilance thing, but something always distracts us for a second and there's an accident (we have 4 kids). We have been working on the crate schedule for about 2 weeks.

 

Suggestions? Shelties take longer than others? I was hopelessly spoiled by all the good dogs I have had?

[Shetlander]

Originally posted by Tammy525:

Suggestions? Shelties take longer than others? I was hopelessly spoiled by all the good dogs I have had?

With both my shelties and also another puppy, the magic age seemed to be 4 months. At that point, I could see the blocks falling into place and they seemed to really "get" the concept. Smarty pants Quinn seemed to have the concept down at 9 weeks which made up for what a miserable time he gave me otherwise those first couple of months.

 

So maybe just a little more time and patience will get you and Rosie there, especially if you have only been doing the crate schedule for a couple of weeks.

 

I know it seems like forever when housebreaking a puppy, but really it is much quicker than with a baby Once she "gets" what you want, still take her out frequently if she is awake and moving. Puppies get very busy and sometimes by the time they realize that they need to go, there isn't much time to get them outside before they must go.

 

Also be sure to learn and respond to her signs that she needs to go out. Quinn for example has whined in the house almost solely to go out. Keep telling her she's great for going in the right place. Don't take it for granted, in other words.

 

Oh, and I'm not saying Rosie would do this but both my shelties at around the age of 1 year peed in my bed. One of them did it right in front of me. This bit of insanity was never repeated by either, but young dogs/teenagers... what can you do?

 

Good luck.

[Tammy525]

I can't see any signs that she needs to go out. We have watched carefully, but she gives no indication, except she leaves the room she is playing in. If it is with me or my dh, we chase after, but may be too late. (this does not frighten her, she loves the chase game). I can't get my kids to be that observant. I am having trouble keeping my eyes and attention focused on her all the time, that is why we have been using the crate more.

[rosefarm]

I hear you on the watching 4 kids and then trying to house train a dog. I'm laughing at myself this morning... I have 1 child on meds, Edith the beagle is on thyroid meds 2ce daily 2 different antibiotics 1 and 2x daily pain meds for her and my Lilly who just got spayed. My brain is absolutely fried keeping everything straight right now. Thank goodness the potty training is not an issue here. I do notice that Lilly is a more emotional pee-er (is that a word) then my beagles were.

Good luck

--Denise

[2 Devils]

Have you tried putting up babygates so Rosie has to stay in sight instead of wandering off? If you can't watch Rosie then you need to crate her or at least section off an area so she does not get out of sight.

 

I have friends with shelties and their shelties are not 100% reliable (1 was given to her at the age of 3 or so)...

 

Housebreaking is a pain...

[Shetlander]

Originally posted by 2 Devils:

I have friends with shelties and their shelties are not 100% reliable (1 was given to her at the age of 3 or so)...

I think that is more the exception than the rule for the breed. Generally they learn quickly and are very biddable, cooperative dogs. However, I totally agree on housebreaking being a pain. You really need to be very persistent and patient to help the dog get it right.

[karrie]

Tammy ((((HUGS)))) been there done that. Next dog is coming from rescue potty trained already! I'll even be willing to pay extra for just that. I never remembered having trouble before potty training before, but Tuck and Sam (especially) have really shaken my belief in my ability to potty train dogs. With Tuck he picked up after awhile that ringing the bell would get him outside( course this was after I pretty much had him knowing to go potty outside). To make the bell, I tied a few jingle bells to some yarn and then hung it from the door knob. Good Luck and you have my sympathy.

[Tammy525]

Put the baby gate up, much better. I had been resisting because my 4 year old can't get through it without help, major pain in the neck, but it is better than half a million stolen toys and a quarter million wet and stinky surprises in the bedroom!!

 

We are sticking to our schedule and there have been no accidents with our crate schedule. Outside with confirmed potty, 30 mins of free time, 1 hour in the crate, then do the whole thing over.

 

Rosie gives no indication when she has to go, she doesn't go to the door or anything. We used a bell with our golden and that worked great!

 

Thanks for the sympathy, Karrie, hope all is going well with you are your brood. I actually have one afternoon a week childfree, of course that time now all taken by a rowdy puppy who we love more than anything!! I am a glutton, no doubt.

[RaisingRiver]

My BC was fully potty trained after 6 mons. She also never gave indication she had to go out. I also have 3 kids.

[Shetlander]

Originally posted by Tammy525:

Rosie gives no indication when she has to go, she doesn't go to the door or anything. We used a bell with our golden and that worked great!

She is still very young. Give her time. Some dogs give signals that are subtle (a certain restlessness, for example). I think as dogs mature, they often become clearer at communicating their needs in this area. Rosie is still a baby.

 

It is true that some dogs never do give any kind of reliable signals they need to go out. You have to anticipate for them but it can still work fine. I had a dog who probably asked to go out twice in the 15 years he lived with me, but he did great just be waiting until I took him out.

[Tammy525]

I know she is very young, but it sure helps to be reminded. I was just having a rough day (had to make 8 pies for school, + two turkeys, all four kids home d/t inservice, my dad got some bad test results, found out my mom needs hip surgery soon, at least, no lie, 22 loads of laundry in the basement, blah blah blah). My patience for BP (Barky Puddles) was thinner than it should have been!!

 

Scout very rarely gives an indication he needs to go out, but like yours, has no trouble waiting. Obviously she will have as much time as she needs, we love her very much and she is such a great fit for our family. She is giving Scout so much fun and she is sweet as she can be and learns so quickly.

 

6 months is only 3 months away at this point, so there is hope!!

[Tammy525]

And don't worry, though I was stressed that day, I didn't yell at her or anything, just cleaned up and moved on per usual.

[Shetlander]

Originally posted by Tammy525:

And don't worry, though I was stressed that day, I didn't yell at her or anything, just cleaned up and moved on per usual.

When I was getting Quinn last year, I mentioned to a friend that I didn't like puppies. She stared at me open-mouthed, then said "But this is your 5th puppy!" I said, "I know. But that doesn't mean I like them!" Of course I like puppies but there is a lot about them I don't like -- chewing, sleep deprivation and housebreaking are at the top of the list. My mantra with puppies is "Housebreaking is a journey as well as a destination." Frankly I am always a little amazed that any dog (or little kid for that matter) can be trained where to potty.

 

My current plan is for the next dog to be a rescue age 7 months or older I even have some names picked out and he won't be coming for at least a few years.