Help with Housebreaking a 4-1/2 Month Old Puppy.

Updated on December 01, 2009
J.A. asks from Morton Grove, IL
7 answers

Hello parents,
We have adopted a sweet 4-1/2 month old female lab-mix from a local shelter. We have had her for 2 weeks and she has picked up all the basic commands and is willing to learn. However, the housebreaking is another story. She eliminates outside without problem, both #1 & #2. We bring her out, she does her stuff and then we give her some playtime/freetime outside of the crate for a little while, let her go out again if she has had anything to drink and then back in the crate for an hour and repeat process with sometimes longer times in the crate. BUT during her freetime, sometimes only minutes after peeing outside, she'll find a corner in the dining room, living room or family room (like this am behind the X-mas tree) to pee, again. When we go outside, we are out for long enough to let it all out, but there seems to be more. Anyone that has any tips or suggestions to help us out, or a book recommendation (we are using The Loved Dog method now) I would gladly appreciate it. We've also rolled up all of our area rugs to make any accidents easier to clean up. It has been over 10 years since I had to train a new dog so any advice is certainly appreciated!!! Has anyone used the bell by the door for training their dog, and where do you buy the bell???
Thanks!
J.

1 mom found this helpful

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S.E.

answers from Chicago on

Hi J.,
Congratulations on your new addition! Our healthy new puppy had a bladder infection so I would definitely have that checked out as one writer suggested. I think there may have been a little blood in the urine - you could call and ask your vet what to look for before taking her in. Also, I highly highly recommend two awesome books on training/raising puppies and dogs. Both are by the Monks of New Skete. One is called The Art of Raising a Puppy and the other is How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend. They helped us immensely. Their approach is right on and they not only raise world class shepherds but take in "problem dogs" and retrain them, so they know what they're doing. Good luck to you. It does get better!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hi J.,
If the very frequent urination continues, I would definitely take her to your vet and have a urinalysis done to rule out the possibility of a bladder infection. Young puppies (especially females) get bladder infections VERY commonly. There may be a medical reason for her accidents.
Hope this helps,
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi J.
Congradulations on your new puppy!!
I can give you lots of tips if you want to give me a call, I'm not the best with typing so it would take me forever to type the suggestions.I have worked with animals for almost 20 years now, so I have lots of experience and would be glad to help.My bus # is ###-###-####.
the first thing to start with is she should only be allowed in one room, she should not be in all the rooms of the house she is too young.
V.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Chicago on

I think you are doing the right things, but will just take a little longer. Maybe try to shorten the free times a bit until she catches on. The Loved Dog method is good. She's still young...just keep working on it. Possibly after taking her out, bring her in for 5 minutes then take her out again to eliminate the "extra peeing" she does.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.D.

answers from Chicago on

J.:

Contact Ami Moore www.chicagodogcoach.com

she is amazing.

warmly,

P.
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.C.

answers from Chicago on

even if you have a fenced in backyard, your dog needs to be walked. he/she will eliminate several times on his walk, probably close to 5 times depending on how far you go. after the 5th or so time you will see your dog trying to pee more but finally nothing will come out:) also, there might be some other animal that peed in the house that your dog is trying to make his territory. so go buy some urine odor eliminater at a pet store and spray on the spot. that should help too, but most importantly, the walk will help.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Our puppy is almost 7 months, so I feel your pain. The bell works as long as you ring it everytime you go out. We got it at the pet store in the bird or cat dept. The thing that helped the most is to praise them while they are actually going potty. All you have to do is whisper good dog while they are actually going. We still keep her on a leash a lot and tie her up to the kitchen table, etc. That way she can get around, but only has accidents where they are easy to clean up. Good luck!

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