Housebreaking questions

Kade · 06-28-2005, 08:54 PM

Hi! So Winston is eight weeks old, and up to now his potty skills have impressed us immensely. I know I shouldn't expect too much from him at this age, but I feel like I'm not doing all I can to help him optimize this process.

He's good about getting himself outside and peeing/pooping if he's feeling tired. But if he's playful, forget it. He'll just run around and bark and try to eat every leaf and every piece of grass. Is there anything I can do to limit this behavior?

Because now I find myself being paranoid and taking him outside every time he looks sideways at the back door.

He had a normal poop this morning at about 7:30, and then a loose stool at about 9:15. He's been eating and drinking since then (and his appetite increases day by day so it seems to me like he's eaten a lot for not pooping -- on a typical day, he'll go three or four times). (Can a loose stool in the morning mean a constipated day?)

I'll probably take him to the vet tomorrow, because he's been butt-dragging. I want to make sure there's nothing wrong with him.

But how do I distinguish between "I have to go out NOW" whining and "Why aren't you lavishing me with attention every waking second?" whining.

I know you can't expect too much at this age, but he's reached a certain level, and I don't want to actually regress. And he's been so good at settling himself down that I hate the thought of encouraging any whiny behavior.

Barrett · 06-28-2005, 09:05 PM

One thing you can do is keep him on a leash when you take him out to potty. When he goes potty give him a super yummy treat and lots of praise. Then you can let him off leash to play a game. You can give him a command like "go potty" and say it over and over until he goes. Immediately give him a treat and praise. This helps him understand what he is supposed to do and helps him learn to go potty on command too. It is very useful when you go on driving trips or even when you want to leave the house and make sure he goes potty before you leave.

Kade · 06-28-2005, 10:45 PM

Thanks, Barrett. We kept him on the leash initially but found that he was a champ at running right out and doing his business without the leash. Apparently we underestimated the deliciousness of the grass out there. And now I realize that he needs to be willing to go on leash as well as off.

We'll try the leash. We've never given him treats for pottying (phasing them in slowly so they don't upset his stomach), but maybe it's time to try that.

But it's driving me crazy! Just because today is an odd potty day, every whimper I interpret as an impending accident in the house. I'm rolling my eyes out of my head at myself!

Barrett · 06-28-2005, 10:52 PM

Oh yeah, I re-read your post..... Butt-dragging is a sign of worms or his anal sacks needing to be expressed. I'm leaning torwards worms since he is so young. Has he had a dose of de-worming meds yet? Definetly go to the vet for a worm check and dose of meds. He probably won't actually TELL you he needs to go out for a few more months. You will have good days and bad days with him..LOL...thats all aprt of puppy hood. Some people have had success putting a bell on the door for the dog to ring when he needs to go out. This would let you know the difference between "Love me now" and " I have to go potty".

Kade · 06-28-2005, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrett

Oh yeah, I re-read your post..... Butt-dragging is a sign of worms or his anal sacks needing to be expressed. I'm leaning torwards worms since he is so young. Has he had a dose of de-worming meds yet? Definetly go to the vet for a worm check and dose of meds. He probably won't actually TELL you he needs to go out for a few more months. You will have good days and bad days with him..LOL...thats all aprt of puppy hood. Some people have had success putting a bell on the door for the dog to ring when he needs to go out. This would let you know the difference between "Love me now" and " I have to go potty".

He went to the vet last Tuesday and got a clean bill of health, but back he goes tomorrow.

Right now I'm a little worried about the constipation. But I suppose we'll figure that out tomorrow. Or tonight.

06-28-2005, 08:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kade 9 months old?! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 903 Rep Power: 89	Housebreaking questions Hi! So Winston is eight weeks old, and up to now his potty skills have impressed us immensely. I know I shouldn't expect too much from him at this age, but I feel like I'm not doing all I can to help him optimize this process. He's good about getting himself outside and peeing/pooping if he's feeling tired. But if he's playful, forget it. He'll just run around and bark and try to eat every leaf and every piece of grass. Is there anything I can do to limit this behavior? Because now I find myself being paranoid and taking him outside every time he looks sideways at the back door. He had a normal poop this morning at about 7:30, and then a loose stool at about 9:15. He's been eating and drinking since then (and his appetite increases day by day so it seems to me like he's eaten a lot for not pooping -- on a typical day, he'll go three or four times). (Can a loose stool in the morning mean a constipated day?) I'll probably take him to the vet tomorrow, because he's been butt-dragging. I want to make sure there's nothing wrong with him. But how do I distinguish between "I have to go out NOW" whining and "Why aren't you lavishing me with attention every waking second?" whining. I know you can't expect too much at this age, but he's reached a certain level, and I don't want to actually regress. And he's been so good at settling himself down that I hate the thought of encouraging any whiny behavior.

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06-28-2005, 09:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 156	One thing you can do is keep him on a leash when you take him out to potty. When he goes potty give him a super yummy treat and lots of praise. Then you can let him off leash to play a game. You can give him a command like "go potty" and say it over and over until he goes. Immediately give him a treat and praise. This helps him understand what he is supposed to do and helps him learn to go potty on command too. It is very useful when you go on driving trips or even when you want to leave the house and make sure he goes potty before you leave.

06-28-2005, 10:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kade 9 months old?! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 903 Rep Power: 89	Thanks, Barrett. We kept him on the leash initially but found that he was a champ at running right out and doing his business without the leash. Apparently we underestimated the deliciousness of the grass out there. And now I realize that he needs to be willing to go on leash as well as off. We'll try the leash. We've never given him treats for pottying (phasing them in slowly so they don't upset his stomach), but maybe it's time to try that. But it's driving me crazy! Just because today is an odd potty day, every whimper I interpret as an impending accident in the house. I'm rolling my eyes out of my head at myself!

06-28-2005, 10:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 156	Oh yeah, I re-read your post..... Butt-dragging is a sign of worms or his anal sacks needing to be expressed. I'm leaning torwards worms since he is so young. Has he had a dose of de-worming meds yet? Definetly go to the vet for a worm check and dose of meds. He probably won't actually TELL you he needs to go out for a few more months. You will have good days and bad days with him..LOL...thats all aprt of puppy hood. Some people have had success putting a bell on the door for the dog to ring when he needs to go out. This would let you know the difference between "Love me now" and " I have to go potty".

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