Good evening all,

New Member at the end of my tether!!!! I thought long and hard before getting a puppy, what type, what size, spoke to the vet all the usual and finally got a chihuahua/terrier cross. He is gorgeous but am finding it soooooo difficult to toilet train him as I work.

Any tips would be much appreciated. I am killing trees with the amount of paper I leave down every day but he doesnt take much notice of it as he prefers to piddle by the washing machine. He didnt think much of the puppy pads preferring to sleep on them! My husband is non too pleased when he stands in it with bare feet although my daughter and i think its hilarious that just adds to his annoyance.

Would appreciate any help anyone can give me am even thinking of changing his name from Bailey to Bladder!!!!

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DeeDee

There is a product called Train-Um. I belive the compay is Mark and chappel. That has an odour that makes your dog want to cover it up by urinating.
I use to work in the pet trade and this product weas very popular.

Try crate training him - paper down one end his bed at the other it will help him to get the idea and also save your OH standing in any 'accidents'. Most dogs who are crate trained - house train a lot quicker as it is a smaller area 'to get away from'.

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How old is he?

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DeeDee

If you are out of the house i would definately try crate training him as the others suggested, handy for toilet training and also for keeping him out of mischief!! At 6 months he should be able to hold his bladder for quite a few hours. My youngest pup's are 4 months old and can hold on most night's in their crates, yet during the day when they are free to romp about in the house they need to go out every 20 minutes or so or .

I have never used paper to toilet train my pup's as in my mind i feel i am inadvertantly training them to go in the house.

Just out of interest how long is he being left alone while you are out to work? Do you have someone who can let him out during the day?

Ang x

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No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.

Crate training is best as it uses the animal instinct for an efficient house breaking, but I agree it might be difficult for the 6months pup... also depends on how much time you leave him alone

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Brian

Try buying the puppy training pads available from Argos, Instore and pets at home, they have a scent on them and it attracts the dog to wee and the other on and the base is waterproof. Start off by putting it next to the door if possible. This is how i start off and also pick up the water bowl too when ur out.
Michelle

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DeeDee

Just a thought to share with you, when he has left a puddle for you do you point and tell him he is bad, or do you clean it without saing anything to him?
its not the case with all dogs but if in the past when he wee's if you have gone in and pointed to it and told him what a bad dog he is well although that is more then understandable he may be thinkng 'well hold on a minute, if I do a wee here now then my mom should come in to tell me off so then at least i get some attention!' I tell you now it takes a clever dog to be naughty!!! if in the past you have told him off try just going in and not saying or even looking at him, just clean it up and blank him for least ten minutes after, whenever you come into the room in the morning and he is clean make big fuss.