potty - Page 1

I have recently gotten my first pup ever in my life. I have an older GSD that I got when he was 1 year old, so Im a little bit puppy ignorant. My new pup is now about 11 weeks old. My problem is, is that she keeps peeing in her crate. Ive been taking her out ever 2-2 1/2 hours but still sometimes there will be pee in there. What I usually do is take her outside as soon as she comes out of the crate where we play for about 30 minutes or so. We then go inside and maybe play for a little bit longer where I start to get her food ready. She will usually run to her crate and sit in there to wait for her dish. After she eats I leave her there for about 1 1/2 hours - 2 1/2 hours. She gets no water after about 7 pm. Last potty break at 1030-11 pm. I will wake up around 3-4 am to take her out, sometimes shes already peed and sometimes she will make it to 6 am. Im thinking maybe I should be taking her outside after the meal, but I also know that a gsd is not supposed to play after eating, which is what happens when we go outside, play. Any constructive criticism, advice, or suggestions are welcomed. The breeder who I got her from is great and I would go to him but I dont want to be a pest with my thousand and one puppy questions. He usually gets about 2 or 3 emails a day from me already. Thank you !

I would suggest that until she understands the potty thing that going outside means potty only and play is done inside with potty time before and after..... She also probably could do with shorter play sessions, no puppy can concentrate for that long at that age.... You are on the right track with the very frequent trips, but she needs to understand what the trips outside are for and that can't happen if something else is involved!! Guess I'd try getting up a little earlier during the night if she's not making it thru the night.. she'll get it... Also, it might be worth bring a urine sample in for the vet to check... maybe a little uti going on

Puppy needs to pee after it wakes up, after food, after play and about 30 minutes after having had a drink. Try to adjust your schedule to meet those needs. When you take her out for potty stay calm til she is all peed out. Often pups have to go when back inside because they did not fully relieve themselves. If you praise her while she is doing the job you may excite her and she may stop to collect belly rubs before she is done. That leads to a mess shortly thereafter when she remembers that her bladder is not acctually all empty. Praise only when she is finished. First thing in the am, puppy goes out. No play, no nothing, only potty. If she tries to engage you in play or praise, ignore her, do nothing, wait. You can tell her in a very monotonous voice 'go pee' over and over, which will train her to pee on command after a while. After potty you praise, then play and then puppy eats and drinks, then puppy goes out again to potty before being retired to the crate. Repeat throughout the day, just make sure she finished her business before she is put away. You might have to restrict water a bit more right now. Try 6pm and if that does not work 5pm for last offering of water. As she lasts longer during the night stretch the evening hours that she is allowed water. Puppies do not have full bladder control til they are about 5 months, so make it easy for her. Before you do all that check that she does not have a bladder infection. She should be due for another vaccination soon, so have the vet check for that. Even a mild one will cause her to have to go more often. If the vet suspects that, he will usually prescribe antibiotics. Not necessary. I would actually recommend against that. Give her some pure cranberry juice, 2 tbl spoon full 3-4 times a day for a week and see if there is improvement. You can put the juice in a freezer tray and just let her have the cranberry popsicles (careful, can be messy). Pups usually like that and its actually good for her.

Good advice from all. Also, make sure that her crate is not too big for her. It should be just large enough for her to stand and turn around comfortably. Dogs are den animals and she will be reluctant to soil her den if given the choice. Don;t give into the human concept of "bigger is better" She will feel safer and more comfortable if she is more contained. You need to realize a basic fact of life too. Active puppies make pee. Playtime should have frequent potty breaks. Good Luck

Thanks everyone. Im going to do as you all have advised. What are the symptoms of a UTI? Would she pee in her crate and then pee again when I take her out? I really think I need to learn her schedule and tighten up the feed and water schedule. It seems like everytime Im just missing it for her pee. Thanks!