6 months old, not housetrained still

[corez23]

Hi all,
I hope someone more experienced than I will be able to help.

We have 2 pups - both Papillons, one boy and one girl. As we got them from 2 different breeders, they are of different ages - there was also a 4 week gap in getting them.

We received the girl first, at 12 weeks, and she was not house trained at all. We decided to get "Puppy pads" - whenever she went to toilet we would put her on the pad (by the door to the garden), when she had done her toilet we would give her a treat. However, she didn't really want the treat usually (she's a very fussy eater full stop - we've tried practically every treat on the market!). We also praised her- but again, she didn't respond too well to that. We use trigger words while she toilets (i.e. "Go wee").

After about 4 weeks, she had just about gotten used to the pad, but there were still a few accidents. We then received the boy pup - he was 7 weeks old (so she was now about 16 weeks). This was sooner than we would have liked but unfortunately we had no choice.

Being 7 weeks old, he couldn't hold on as long but quickly got used to the puppy pad regime- good with water but with solids he would find a sneaky corner/under a chair/table etc. Unfortunately, the girl started to toilet in the wrong places.

Fast forward another 4 weeks - the boy was now vaccinated and so we let both out into the garden at toilet times. Again, we repeated the process of praise and a treat when toileting was done outside.

The boy picked up toileting outside really quickly, but again, as the girl doesn't respond to praise or treats, she picked it up more slowly.

HOWEVER, the first problem is now that the girl point blank refuses to toilet outside. No matter how long we wait, she will wait until she is back in and toilet indoors - but covertly, as if she doesn't want a treat or praise.

We have tried to remove the puppy pad from indoors - but then she just finds a rug, a doormat, or any bit of carpet to toilet on (our house has wooden floors throughout).

The second problem is that the boy still prefers to pass solids indoors - and not on the pad.

I'm a bit overwhelmed. I think he will eventually get used to doing both toilets outside, but the girl is a mystery to me. I just don't know what to do.

Any ideas?

[BetterDog4U]

This is a perfect example of why most ppl choose to "housebreak" instead of "papertrain" .......

I feel the best thing you can do is keep a handle on food and water intake and keep a diary of what the dog eats and drinks and when it "goes".

Doing this will give you a way to establish when the dogs will most likely need to relieve themselves so you can be sure they are in the yard right before they have to "go".

Put them both on strict feeding times and take up the leftovers so they can't "snack" between feeding times. The same thing goes with the water. This will make "potty time predictions" easier to make.

When the dogs are inside you need to be sure to watch them closely. The use of the diary, combined with you watching thier evey move for a while, you should be able to stop the potty times inside. Some ppl also choose to keep the dogs "teathered" on a long leash or a 15' nylon rope for a short time until the problem is corrected.

Praise when the job is done right is ALWAYS good, and even though they dont really care for treats, your vocal and tactal praise is important. Keep it up ......

best luck with this problem, stay calm and have patience!

[calgal]

I don't think a puppy should have freedom in the house while being house trained. Once they start useing a rug/carpet or even going under or behind furniture, it's usually very difficult to train, and even then the pattern has been set and they will continue the habit here and there.
I kept mine in the expen that I attached to the front of the wire crate (so the crate is on the outside of the pen not taking up room and I cover the crate with a blanket to make it like a den for them, plus it warmer this way) with wee-wee pad down, water and toys. I took them outside to run and play every hour. I only praised when they used the pad inside, because it's just second nature that they will pee and poo outside. I never used treats for this. They were allowed on the sofa in the evening with us, but not to get down. We would have a little chewy for them while on the sofa. It was not play time and they soon learned to settle. Then when they were around 6 months old, we gave them the kitchen area with pad down. When they continually used the pad, we took the baby gate away and gave them the breakfast room as well. It wasn't until they were a year old that I let them walk around the house a little bit each time with me right behind them. Then at 18 months old they got to run around the house longer, but if we had places to go that we couldn't take them, they were back to the kitchen and breakfast area.
I like that they are trained on the pads because if it's pouring the rain I don't have to go outside and let them get soaking wet, or when traveling and staying in motels, I don't like going out early mornings or late nights in strange places. With the pad down, we never have to worry that they will mess on a rug or carpet anywhere we go.
I'm now training a new baby.

[dollface]

I'd keep her on a leash and every where you go so does she- when you notice the signs then take her out- have you tried hotdogs most dogs love them- Don't allow anytime off the leash unless she has done her business and only allow time off when you are able to give her 100% of your time. Always take her to the same spot everytime and use the same word and praise/treat/play- which ever works. One of my bostons is not big on treats so i just got really excited with her and ruffed her up some and she would bounce around.

All 4 of mine were papered trained and they go outside, to this day if I leave paper down only one of mine will use it lol I also free feed have never picked up water or food.