How do you train a puppy to go outside?

Right from the beginning?

When we got Molly she was only 1.5lbs and it was the end of December so we couldn't put her outside yet. She was wee wee pad trained. I started out w/ wee wee pads all over my house and slowly eliminated them so about a week before she died - there was NONE!

We are getting this new puppy this week - it's still nice out - and the pup is older then Molls was. She's 5 months. I would LOVE to get her outside asap. I will keep one wee wee pad on each floor in my house just in case - but with the baby - I would rather not have them at all.

Any tricks you can teach me? I now know much more then I did when I first got Molly. I know to let her out after she drinks/eats. First thing in the morning. What else should I do or look for?

THANKS!

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

This is what we did when we got Daisy at 7 weeks old.

1. 20 minutes after each drink of water, or after a meal, we'd take her outside. If she peed/pooped, we rub her and say "good girl" and when she came in, she got a treat. She slowly learned that she should put her paw up at the back door when she needed to go out.

2. During accidents in the house, one of us would pick her up as it was happening and take her straight outside to finish.

It will take a some time, but the dog will learn.

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

I am so torn too because I am also at the point right now though - where I know we used to yell at Molly if she would have an accident - and I don't feel like I can really do that anymore.

To be honest - I don't care if this puppy pees all over my damn house and carpets. I can always get new carpets....ugh - I'm a mess -- this poor puppy has no shot with me. She will be running this house just like Molly did!

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

The one positive with you getting a dog at 5 months old. She'll have a larger bladder and may be able to hold it longer.

Daisy still can't go 7 hours without being let out, but she's learning. When she's scared, she pees though.

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

Posted by PotofLuck06

The one positive with you getting a dog at 5 months old. She'll have a larger bladder and may be able to hold it longer.

Daisy still can't go 7 hours without being let out, but she's learning. When she's scared, she pees though.

Message edited 10/30/2007 9:39:33 AM.

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

IMO the best way to potty train is crate training. You want a crate big enough for them to stand up, lay down and turn around. No bigger, cuz she will go to the bathroom on one side and sleep on the other. But the crate should not be used for behavioral purposes and only at night, when you are not home, and when you can't watch her. First thing in am puppy comes out of crate, goes on leash outside to go potty, then feeding, then about 10 minutes after you eat back outside, reward her when she goes outside with a little treat. When you leave for the day she goes in the crate, as soon as you get home she goes out and. DOgs don't like to go tto eh bathroom where they sleep, she might have an accident or 2 but after that she should realize that she doesn't like it and will hold it. All of my dogs were trained within 2-3 weeks using this method. Good Luck

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

Honestly - we tried crate training with Molly and it only lasted one night - I couldn't do it.

I am basically home all day long so it's not even really an issue. Molly had the run of the house - as will this pup once she gets situated.

I think I have to just be really aware and get her out as often as I can.

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by PotofLuck06

The one positive with you getting a dog at 5 months old. She'll have a larger bladder and may be able to hold it longer.

Daisy still can't go 7 hours without being let out, but she's learning. When she's scared, she pees though.

Thanks for helping!

I know - I'm happy this dog is a little bit older. I just want it to get here already now.

ETA: How old is Daisy now?

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

Diana-
the biggets tell tale sign that the dog needs to go out - they'll be sniffing around the ground. That's how we learned with Daisy before she learned to go to the back door.

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

When we adopted Morgan she was 5 months old...we kept her in the crate during the day and at night, which she actually liked. and when we were home, we would just bring her outside about 15-20 minutes after she ate or drank.
She was trained very quickly.

We are doing the same now with our new pup Riley. She is going to be 6 months old in Nov and she is crated while we are at work, and then right after come home, she goes immediately outside.
She can hold it for the whole 8 hrs, while we are at work, then when we are home I let them all out (I have 3 dogs) probably once every 1-2 hours.


I taught my dogs to go to the back door when they have to go out, by taking them to the back door first, letting the sit...then taking them outside. After a few days they started sitting by the door on their own.

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

Thanks everyone! Keep the advice coming!

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

I used both the wee wee pads and the crate training. We take our puppy to my parents who have two dogs, she learned quickly being around them.

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

When ours were puppies we took them outside ALL the time. Seriously, like once an hour, and after they ate, drank, woke up from a nap, played, etc. We praised them when they went on the grass, and told them "NO" and took them outside immediately if they started going in the house. They got the hang of it pretty quickly.

Re: How do you train a puppy to go outside?

We live in NYC and could not take Marley outside until recently. She is 100% pad trained and we have just started transitioning her to outside. The best time to take her is first thing in the morning. You know that she has to go, so just wait it out. Reward her with a treat and lost of praise. Marley doesn't always do both numbers right away, so after 10-15 mins, I bring her back inside and put her in her crate. I shower and get ready for work and bring her out about 40 mins later. At this point she has to go. Then DH feeds her and brings her out a half hour later. We leave pads while we are at work, but Marley likes to go to the bathroom when we get home so we bring her out as soon as we get home. We also bring her out about 1/2 hour after dinner and before she goes to bed. If she does not go, we just watch for the signs (sniffing, does not want to play with toys, etc.). It takes alot of patience. Good luck!