Potty training problems

[New Owner]

I am having problems potty training my 9 week beagle/bichon frise puppy. I take him outside for a walk and he cries and won't walk or go to the bathroom. When I bring him inside he walks around and goes to the bathroom on the ground. I yell no and take him back outside but he still cries and won't walk. This doesn't happen all the time but enough that I am worried he's never going to learn to only go to the bathroom outside. Am I doing something wrong?? I try to keep him outside as long as possible but he is so stubborn I don't know what to do? Any advice?? Thanks!:)

[p0g03]

Oh I know the feeling! Patience and Persistance is the key. Your baby is very young sometimes it takes a few months to get them potty trained.

Don't know if it will work for you but this is how I house trained Mojo. I crate trained for the overnight time. Once a pup feels comfy in thier crate they will not soil it. Ten minutes after feeding and or water we would go outside and would not come in till he relieved himself ( after first time I made sure I took him back to the same spot he used before). I also did not give him run of the house till he had it down to a science we used baby gates and started with him only being loose in the kitchen (which is where everyone is usually at any how) as he got more reliable we started giving him more freedom in the house. I also made sure plenty of praise everytime he did his job of going outside and the verbal command potty time when he would go so now we go outside and I tell him potty time and he takes care of business and then it is playtime.
It sounds like he is scared of being outside but again he is very young still too. Try walking around outside while holding him so he feels secure sooner or later he will not feel so helpless when put down outside for potty time. It is alot of work but is worth it in the end. Good Luck :)
Amy

[pittiegirl]

The best way to do house training is to use a crate that is just large enough for the pup to stand up, turn around, and lay down. The pup stays in the crate unless it can be very closely supervised -or- is being taken outside (or to potty pads) to potty/play.

Take the pup to potty as frequently as you can (once an hour if possible). Don't let the pup be on the floor in places that he shouldn't pee except right after he has already peed. The fewer mistakes the pup makes the faster he will be house trained.

The rule of thumb is that the pup can hold it (in hours) for its age in months, plus one. The pup should be taken out at least that often during the day and whenever the pup wakes up and whimpers at night. If the pup doesn't whimper and soils his crate at night, you may have to set an alarm. At night the pup should do his business and be put back in the crate - no playing.

Crating the pup for longer than it can hold it is cruel, so if the pup needs to be left for longer than that set up a restricted area (e.g. in a bathroom or in a x-pen in the kitchen). The area should have the crate, plus puppy pads (in a doggie litter box - helps with aim). Teach the pup to go in the litter box - as well as going outside (if feasible). [Larger breeds will outgrow the litter box, but small breeds can continue to use one as adults - if you wish them to do so.]

When the pup does potty where you want him to, "throw a party" - praise him, give him treats, and make a big deal about it. Convince your neighbors that you are completely crazy. Whenever possible, let the pup play for a few minutes afterwards so the pup will want to immediately do its business.

Never ever yell at or punish the pup for peeing. You will just teach the pup to hide to pee. Don't even let the pup see you clean up because some pups think it is a game to make their owners get down on the floor.

The first area of freedom for a pup should be a restricted area (like above). When the puppy is reliable there and you do allow the pup more freedom in the home, keep the area small and then slowly expand it. Watch closely, have a towel handy and scoop the pup up if it shows any sign of soiling. Feeding the pup in the new areas will help develop a prohibition against soiling there.

As the pup starts being more reliable, some people use a leash to attach the pup to their waist as they move around the house. That allows the owner to interrupt the pup before it soils and teaches the pup to stay with the owner in the home. Close proximity also helps with teaching the pup to chew only on appropriate items.

Be sure to clean all pee spots in an area with a good enzyme cleaner or the pup will be attracted by the smell (even if you can't smell it). A lot of places sell small black lights for detecting urine.