How long on average does it take to potty train a puppy?

[ChiPeanut]

Hi everyone!

I have a 5 month old neuteured chihuahua, I have had him since he was 4 months old.

I am just wondering how long potty training approximately takes please?

Peanut is crate trained and holds it all night (he goes outside right before he goes to bed) and I take him outside the minute I get him out of the crate. I also take him straight out once he has had a drink and eaten. I probably take him outside at least 10-15 times a day. But every now and then I still get mistakes in the house!

All accidents are cleaned and then sprayed with pet odourising spray. I do not tell him off, if I catch him I say ahah and pick him up and take him outside (although this doesn't usually work very well as once he is going, he won't stop whether I am carrying him or not!!) and if I just find the accident, I won't say anything, I will just clean it up.

I have been altering between always having him on the leash so I know where he at all times, other times, I will section of parts of the house so he can only be in one room at a time, but I am wondering if this is confusing him as then he can't let me know when he needs to go out. I would like him to sit by the door so I know (he has done this a few times).

I would like him to explore more as well as I fear I am either holding him or cuddling him too much (especially if I go out with him somewhere as he won't pee if I am holding him but as soon as he is on the floor he goes!!)

Are all dogs different with how long it takes before being potty trained? Or is there like an average time period? Is there also anything that anyone thinks I am doing wrong?

Sorry for the long post, just wanted to make sure I explained everything!

Thank you!

[Cassiepeia]

When you're at home with him, either keep him leashed or crate him when you can't watch him.

As far as I'm aware there is no average time. It depends entirely on the individual dog (and the person/people potty training them). Some dogs get it in a few days, some a few weeks, some a few months, some a year and there are some who are never fully potty trained.

I'd say that apart from what I mentioned in the beginning, you're doing everything right. Just keep it up and don't expect him to get it right away (just like a toddler takes a long time to "get" what the potty is for and to understand to use it all the time).

As far as him sitting by the door when he wants to go out. You should make him sit every time you take him out to pee, so he understand that's what you do (unless it's an emergancy and he's already mid-pee LOL). Alternatively, you could use a bell and put it at 'paw' level for him and ring it every single time you take him out. I'll see if I can find some info on training them to ring a bell...something that makes more sense than my ramblings. LOL And I'll post that here for you.

Cass.

EDIT: Some sites...
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2001b/bell.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Tra...Potty&id=33557
There are lots of clicker training videos on YouTube.com and there is one (actually probably more than that) that shows someone teaching the bell trick, but I can't for the life of me find it. You might have more luck yourself. I'll keep looking for it though and post it if I find it.

Edit again... The video I was thinking of has been removed for some reason it was pretty good, but I found another one that deals with potty training and the bell trick is in it (although only for a moment ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsSsxU12xGU

[ChiPeanut]

Thank you! Yeah I was thinking of a bell, but my partner laughed at me and said I would never get him to be able to do that, but then I spoke with my Mum and she said she trained her bird to do it when he wanted out of the cage!! So I think I can do it and I will show my partner!! I just need to find a bell now!

[greekblue]

You can find one at Petco.com; I got one for puppy, but I can't use it yet as my puppy does come until a month later. It cost something like $25. I am sure you can find another cheaper one, but that looked really cute to me It looks like a colorful dog paw and the dog learns to put his paw on it whenever he wants to go potty. The bell goes along with something like a speaker. You put the bell on the floor in the room where your dog is, and you take the other piece with you in the room you are (ex. kitchen, yard, etc.). When the puppy ring the bell, you would hear the sound through that speaker even if you are out cleaning your yard. I thought it is great.

A book I read said that everytime before you are going to take your puppy out, take his paw and softly put it on the top of the paw bell and say the word you want him to associate with potty; then, take the puppy out for potty. When you do that a few times, the puppy will eventually associate the bell with going out for potty, and will go and ring it himself (be consistent and patient).

Hint: Also taken out of this book. Puppies are smart!!! Sometimes they will start ringing the bell everytime they want to go out and play. If that happens, do not give him the chance to play out when he rings the bell. The bell should be used only for going potty, and the puppy needs to learn that he cannot get away with that. Keep him on a leash when he goes potty even in your yard, so he does not get to play and wander about.

Good Luck and Enjoy your Puppy!

[ChiPeanut]

That sounds good thank you! I don't have him on a leash in the yard as its sooo small!! I only have a little yard and there is nothing exciting apart from some rocks which he potties on! Once he is done he come and sits on the step next to me!!

I will go and check out the bell, it sounds cute thank you!!

[greekblue]

Here is the name of it. I was trying to send you the image too, but I could not.

Lentek Koolatron Pet Chime Pet Doorbell