[coastmom]

I'm not sure if we are doing this right or not.

Oliver does go outside to pee and poop but 9 times out of 10, we have to initiate it. He isn't standing at the door whining or pawing to get out. However, if he is in his crate, he will whine/bark to wake us up to go outside. If he is at my office, he will go to the babygate I have up and whine/bark for me to take him out. Why doesn't he do this at home with all of us right there? Instead of letting us know he needs to go out, he will just go pee or poop somewhere in the house.

Now, he is only 3 months old, but when do they start catching on?

Is there something else we should be doing to teach him?

 

[PonkiPoodles]

I'm not sure if we are doing this right or not.

Oliver does go outside to pee and poop but 9 times out of 10, we have to initiate it. He isn't standing at the door whining or pawing to get out. However, if he is in his crate, he will whine/bark to wake us up to go outside. If he is at my office, he will go to the babygate I have up and whine/bark for me to take him out. Why doesn't he do this at home with all of us right there? Instead of letting us know he needs to go out, he will just go pee or poop somewhere in the house.

Now, he is only 3 months old, but when do they start catching on?

Is there something else we should be doing to teach him?

I've heard many times not to expect them to get it and be fully house trained until 1 year. Before that you should know that there will be accidents.

We trained our dobes to use a bell... to start training, everytime we let them out we ring the bell.... keep the bell on the door you want them to use and low enough that they can either reach it with their nose or paw.
Then you teach them to touch the bell with their nose and everytime they touch it the door should open for them to go outside... it doesn't take long for them to put two and two toghether.

 

[BFF]

Awwww....the joys of puppy hood. I'm just wishing I had my little puppy. I know your frustrated, but PonkiPoodles is right. I've heard it can take up to 6 months for a toy bladder to get muscle control and a few more before they really figure it out. I don't have experience with a standard. My guess is he will get it all of a sudden. What a joyous day it will be! Hang in there.

 

[aki]

I think to be most effective with potty training you should have your pup on a feeding schedule. You don't have to, but it could save you and Oliver the hassle. He seems like a dog that would work well with a feeding schedule since you have to initiate most of the time. Take him out after meals, after any length of time in the crate, after naps, etc and make sure you feed him around the same times everyday so you notice a pattern of when he has to go. I'm sure he'll figure it out eventually, just give him some time and don't set him up for failure. He is still a baby and potty training takes time.

 

[momto4paws]

Aki has a excellent suggestion, but I'll throw in my 1.92 cents (with exchange) and say to save your floors (a favourite naughty spot is forever a favourite naughty spot) you might like to try a doggie diaper--my two rescue toys where over a year when I got them and while the previous owner did really love them about potty training she didn't have a clue--putting on the diapers together with a leash umbilical meant that when they had to go their antics were noticeable--an I got the timing right. Your Oliver might be a silent signaler--it took me a while to figure out that Tino's firm stance and over the shoulder longing look was 'out' --he's not a barker. Thankfully Joey is and they do everything together! When they have their jeans on they stay dry till they're off--I still use them in situations where they might be tempted to mark--like big family gatherings with lots of strange dogs and people--or if we are gone most of the day, like an Easter dinner (where they aren't invited.--vengeance thy name is poodle...)

Potty training works two ways, they figure out what it is and where it goes and we figure out how they say so!

Far and away the easiest method is to bring a puppy home to an older dog--then the older dog does most of the work for you! In case that isn't workable hope so of the above is helpful. If interested, the dog diapers are available from seniorpetsupplies.com

 

[PonkiPoodles]

I've never liked doggy diapers.... (never liked pull-ups either).
I can understand how it can be put to good use for a dog unable to control it's bowels, but I kinda think cleaning it off the floor is easier than trying to get it out of the hair of my dog's butt! LOL! But that's just me

 

[coastmom]

Thanks y'all.

Oliver is on a feeding schedule and does great in his crate and at my office. Just sometimes, he just pees or poops in the house. It's as if he hasn't completely figured out to let us know he needs to go out. Sometimes, he will go to the door and just stand there, I let him out, he goes out and does his business. But then other times, it's as if he just decides to do his business inside instead of outside. And I think he knows he isn't suppose to, because the last few times he has gone inside, and we've discovered it, he takes off in the opposite directions.

I think I may try the bell thing. He likes to do things so maybe this will be interesting for him. LOL!

 

[*heather*]

soooo not looking forward to this part!
keeping my fingers crossed that my little guy figures this out sooner than later! Hoping the fact that I'm home full time will help with the training process!
Good luck with little Oliver! He's so adorable!