toilet training

just wondering what methods people use/used to toilet train their puppy?

we have only had howie since wednesday and so far touch wood hes been amazing, we take him out every hour and without fail he will do something. even after being in his crate all night there is no mess, as soon as we take him out he squats and goes and comes running up for a treat, its like he already knows not to do it inside. i just hope he keeps it up!

Ah bless him! What a superstar. Keep up with what you're doing - praise whenever he goes outside. A toilet command might help - you could say "do your business" or something similar whenever starts to go outside, before praising when he's finished. My girly has a slight aversion to the rain, and a toilet command helps when she's standing looking miserable, but refusing to get it over and done with!

If he does happen to have an accident and you don't witness it, just clear it up quietly with a suitable cleaning agent (biological washing powder/warm water diluted 1:4 or stain/odour remover from pets at home are your best bets) and remember to keep a better eye on him next time. If he toilets in front of you, pick him up and take a him outside, give the toilet command then if he knows it!

Sounds like you're doing everything right.
Great advice from Rachel.
Well done to you and Howie.
Pete

Sounds like a great start. You may also want to take him out after eating, waking up from a nap, or play

LOOKS LIKE I SPOKE TOO SOON, WE HAVE HAD 2 ACCIDENTS INSIDE AND A NEAR MISS. CANT UNDERSTAND WHY AS HE GOES OUT EVERY HOUR, AFTER MEAL TIMES AND AFTER NAPS. STARTING TO FEEL LIKE WE ARE GOING BACKWARDS

Really, really, really... DON'T WORRY! He's still very young and toilet training can take time. Puppies don't have any great control of these things and when he needs to go, he'll go.

Keep on doing what you're doing, especially after meals when a full stomach presses down on the bladder and bowels. If he has an accident, as Rachel says just clear it up. You should find that he gets better and better, and that you can start to extend the time between wee breaks.

It can also be useful as you go on to try and look for your puppy's routine. If you see he needs a wee at a certain time, maybe a bit later after a meal or something, then adjust the times you let him out.

But please don't panic, it's all very normal and part of the joys of being a puppy parent!

Puppies don't have full control of their bladder until at least 6 months so DO NOT WORRY!!! Accidents are bound to happen at that age!

Be sure to take your pooch outside after feed, after play, after any kind of excitement and after sleep. Make sure to go crazy with praise and reward with high value treats like mini sausages or cheese (training only treats!)

When he goes in the house and you don't witness it, do nothing but clean it up. If you do witness it, I would use a firm 'no' and simply put him outside.

Training takes time, its fantastic your pup has only had two accidents! Its all part of bringing up a pup, so please don't panic. We're here if you need any more advice and be sure to keep us posted x

Thank you everyone, I'm definitely not going to give up was just worried I was going backwards.
A real silly question, when you say cheese, that's just your everyday mature cheddar?

doie1 wrote:Thank you everyone, I'm definitely not going to give up was just worried I was going backwards.
A real silly question, when you say cheese, that's just your everyday mature cheddar?

Yeah I just use what ever is in the fridge at the time. cheese is cheese to a dog ! Preferably something you can cut in to small chunks. Id avoid the smelly stuff mind

Just remember its a high value treat so use only for training otherwise it becomes the norm if you feed it to him whenever!

For a male staffy pup thats excellent, just keep doing what you are doing plenty praise when he does go. Make sure you use the same command each time. You dnt want to know mias commands

Lexi was 4 months when I got her and still not trained. (She is 9momths and still has over night accidents occasionally) I use "be clean" and let her out 15 min after a meal. Clean any accidents with bio washing powder NOT BLEACH. X