housetraining - Page 1

Ok, I haven't had a puppy in about 14 years so I'm rusty at this.  We just acquired a fun-loving good-natured 9 week old GSD puppy who can actually last in the crate without urinating for about 7 hours over night.  This is great!  And during the day, when we take her outside, she pees immediately in the right area (good!) but then she might pee again 10-15 minutes later in the house.  Having mulitple urine accidents in doors.  She has only been with us for 12 days, and only started the process of housetraining when she arrived.   When can I expect her to let us know when she has to "go?"

Even though they can hold it at 9 weeks old for 7 straight hours, I wouldn't force them too.  You could end up with some bladder issues.  Make it easy on them and try and get up in the middle of the night to let them out.  Your inconvenience is minor to them holding it and ending up with bladder problems or pissing in the crate.

Your dog is a 2x pee'r and therefore you need to stay outside and wait for her to use the bathroom 2x.  This could be a side result of holding it for 7 straight hours.

Take her to the bathroom more frequently.  In the house keep her within eyeshot, preferrably tied to you so when you see that she is about to go, take her outside and throw her a party.  Her way of "telling you" that she has to go to the bathroom is her circling behavior.  It isn't hard to miss if you watch.

Right now at 9 weeks I would be taking her outside every 2-3 hours.  She may not go all the time but get her in the habit.

Remember, play times is play time--business time is business time but give her praise afterward.

I always adopt the attitude that if they have an accident it's my fault in something that I missed in watching or training a pup.