Expert: Anne Springer, B.S., Dip., CAPCT - 2/24/2010

Question
We have a 12 week old Aussie, we got him when he was 8 weeks.  We are keeping him in the house, but his potty training isn't going so great.  I know these dogs are very smart, and he shows that except with his potty time.  Some days he will do great, others horrible.  Maybe I am expecting too much of him, I've never had a large breed dog.  He has held it for 4 hours before, but then sometimes he has to go out every 20 minutes.  Should I limit his water or what suggestions do you have?  Some days he will have several accidents, other days 1 or none.  Is this normal?  Thanks in advance!

Answer
Maybe it will be more helpful if I just give you the info that all my students get.  It may be that you are training incorrectly, since Aussies are usually VERY fast at getting the idea.  So, review the cheat sheet below, and if you have any questions on it, feel free to send me a follow up.
TAKE THE HEADACHE OUT OF “HOUSE TRAINING 101”

1.   Keep your eye on the dog. Any time the pup is out of his crate, you need to be watching, and not from a distance!  Use a waist leash or tether the dog to your belt.  If Spot looks like he’s looking for a “spot”, say “Outside?” and gently, but quickly, take him out to the “approved area”.  Learn your dog’s signals – does he sniff?  Does he circle?  Some pups are subtle and don’t ask in obvious ways – act preemptively and take him out.  Use the same words all the time for the same functions.  They can learn to do pee or poop on command!  Your neighbors will be jealous in January when you aren’t standing outside for a half hour waiting for your pup to poop!

2.   No scolding for accidents.  Mistakes are nothing more than lack of supervision. (See rule #1 )  If you scold, an unintended consequence might be that your puppy learns that it’s dangerous to pee in front of the human – I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be standing in the rain for 20 minutes waiting for my pup to pee, only to have him not pee until he could manage to escape my gaze and do it behind the dining room door.  Accidents are the human’s fault for not watching the dog!

3.   Crate or tether the pup to your waist when you can’t watch directly.  Most dogs are reluctant to soil the “den”.  Be sure that the crate is only large enough for puppy to stand, turn, and lie down.  Any bigger and he can “get away” from the mess, so he might soil one end and sleep in the other.  Buy a small crate, or partition off a larger one.  

4.   Reward for quick results.  Have a few Cheerios in your pockets all the time.  Tell puppy “hurry up” or “go pee”.  When puppy piddles in the right spot, wait till he’s done (or he might think he’s being rewarded for shutting off the stream), then quickly say, “good pee” and offer a treat.  Soon, you will have your pup pee’ing when you cue him to “go pee”.  If he doesn’t go, crate him and try again every fifteen minutes until he does.  Reward!!!

5.   Important: Don’t just put the pup outside, he won’t be learning anything – stay with him.  Reward him for a good performance and teach those cues!  Once he gets it, start rewarding every other time, or every third time.  Start using pats, or play, intermittently instead of food.

6.   Don’t clean accidents in front of Fido – Dogs are interested in what you are interested in – don’t accidentally train your dog to be interested in poop!  He may start snacking…

7.   Use an enzymatic cleaner to remove all trace of odor from indoor accidents (Petastic, Simple Solution, Nature’s Miracle).  Dogs return to the aroma – you need to get rid of it.

8.   Urine marking is NOT a housebreaking issue – it’s a territory issue.  Males destined as pets should be neutered before marking begins (5-6 months of age).  Some dogs never stop marking once they start.  Unless your dog will compete in conformation shows, get the “snip” early.

9.   Times to take Fido out:  Very soon after he wakes, eats, drinks, or plays.

10.    How long can he really hold it? One hour longer than his age (in months) if he is awake.  Small breeds have small bladders and may need more frequent trips outside.  Pups that can sometimes hold it all night may still have to go if they awaken, and may not be able to hold it for the same length of time during the day.  If he does go out in the middle of the night, put him quietly back in his crate when you come in, with no treat, no fuss, and no play!  He will learn that nighttime is sleep time, even if you do get a potty break.
If you are a 9-5’er, day care or a dog walker is a good temporary help.