glenmar
Posted : 4/25/2007 5:32:14 AM
Pups are going to need to go at pretty predictable times...after eating, drinking, playing, upon waking, and moving around gets things "moving".
You need to be patient, get the pup outside at what are HIS predictable times, and of course this means really watching to see, and then praise like crazy for the appropriate behavior.
When I have a foster litter, we follow a loose schedule, but one that is designed to maximize the message.
I use a large metal crate for nighttime and naps. This is open to an exercise pen. The crate has bedding and in the far end of the ex pen I have papers for them, just in case. With a single pup, I will get up at night, but with seven or eight, not so much! [

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First thing in the morning we all go "OUTSIDE to go POTTY" and once out I remind them that it's time to GO POTTY. Back in for breakfast and immediately back outside. This trip is a play, potty session but I wait until each and every one has gone outside. Then back in and this is the basic routine for the entire day. I determine when they will go OUTSIDE to go POTTY and I praise like crazy when they do.
If someone starts to make a mistake I interrupt with a GENTLE "unh uh...we go OUTSIDE to go POTTY" and scoop them up in a towel and get them outside pronto, once there, again it's THIS is where we go POTTY. If someone does make a mistake and I miss catching them, no biggie, I just clean it up when they aren't looking and go about my business. It's helpful to teether the pup to you when you can't watch with 100% attention.
To successfully housetrain a pup tho, you have to put in the time, the energy and the patience. And, watch like a hawk for indications that it's time.