I have two approximately 7mo female puppies. We got them both when they were around 3mo. One is a whippet/terrier mix, around 20lbs and the other is a rat terrier/chihuahua mix, about 6lbs. They have both been crate trained from the time we got them and now can successfully hold it for 6 hours while we are gone.In addition, they hold it for 9+ hours at night.
The problem arises when we let them have time out of their crate. They play constantly, which isn't a problem, but I think it's a factor it why they have accidents. So far we are always home when they are out. However, both of them will not hold it while they are out in the house. We only give them access to the living room and kitchen area. The chihuahua is the worst, she can barely hold it for 2 hours when she is out of her crate. The other one can go longer, but still has accidents.They seem to know it is wrong because they always hide someplace or wait until I'm out of the room to have an accident, which doesn't help with the 'catching them in the act' process.
This is my first time ever owning puppies, so I know there is much I don't know. So please correct me when I'm wrong, but I think if they can hold it 6hrs in their crate it is reasonable to expect them to be able to do the same outside their crate. I always take them outside and have them potty right before they are going to be loose in the house, but that doesn't seem to help. I've also tried putting puppy pads down in the kitchen, but they never use them. I live in an apartment with no yard, and I would like to get rid of the crates eventually because they take up so much space. I just don't know how to teach them that they have to hold it until I take them out. I've considered trying to teach them to ring a bell at the door when they want to go out, but I know I would end up taking them out every 15 minutes...not because they have to pee but because they want to go outside to mess around. They already go to the door about as regularly now, and I've just stopped taking them out because they don't actually have to go, they just want to go out.
Any help would be appreciated...I'm really new to this puppy thing, having only had older dogs in the past.