I have a west highland terrier called Zac who is now 16 weeks old. He's is no bother, sleeps all night, doesn't chew things, good with people, but I need some help house training him.

If I take him out for a wee in the garden he seems to keep it in even if we are out for ages and as soon as I bring him back in the house he'll have a wee on the floor!

He goes out at for a walk at least twice a day (usually 3 times) and he'll have wee occasionally but not all the time. He's better with poo's usually has one when out for a walk and I can tell when he wants one but he doesn't give me any warning when he needs a wee and once his started that's it.

Can anyone give me any ideas please

Take him out as soon as he wakes up, after every meal, every play session and at about 20 - 30 minute intervals throughout the day while he is awake. Use a key word when he goes to the toilet like "be quick" "toilet" "wee wee's" etc. Pick one word or phrase and stick to it and use everytime he performs. When he is weeing or poohing outside as well as using the key word give him praise at the same time so he knows what he is doing is correct.

If he toilets indoor and you catch him just as he is going to the loo, say a firm NO and pick them up and take them outside to finish off and do above (keyword & praise), don't worry they won't pee through the house as they will stop when you pick them up. If you miss them having an accident never tell them off as they will just associate going to the toilet as being a bad thing and will try to hide doing it, so just clean up with absolutely no fuss using a good pet smell cleaner or biological washing powder to make sure the smell is completely removed as if they can still smell where they have been they will keep going back to the same spot.

Puppies are like little sponges and pick things up surprisingly quickly.

Good luck with everything, I'm sure he'll crack it all soon

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I agree with Gillieworm

I always say the puppies never have accidents, us owners do - If we don't notice they need to go out then it's our mistake not theirs

With Lilly I was sometimes stood outside for 45mins waiting for her to 'go'.
You have to stay out until he does his business, he'll get there soon.
Good luck

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A dog Possesses Beauty, Without Vanity,Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man, Without his Vices.

Thanks for that. I've been taking your advice and so far he's only had 1 accident today which wasn't really his fault as he was in on his own. So far so good!

Realistically how long before he's fully house trained?

Around 5 months but it can be longer than this before they reliable

I have heard that you can't expect a dog to be 100% house trained until they are a year.
I suppose it depends on the dog and your training methods.

x

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-MY DOGS ARE NOT MY WHOLE LIFE- BUT THEY MAKE MY LIFE WHOLE-

Both mine were not having accidents in the house when we were home by about 12 weeks old because they were asking to go out, obviously if we weren't there they were still having accidents because they couldn't hold it for too long.

My youngest is 9 months old and she hasn't had an accident in the house for months.

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I used the same technique of Gillieworm, taking him out when awake/after every meal/play and at intervals throughout the day and before bed.

Pugsley is 9 months now and is doing really well, no accidents in day but we sometimes have accidents in the night. I shouldnt think it will be too long before we dont get any accidents.

Lea