Toilet training seems to be going backwards

[Honey1962]

Hello, I have a 9 1/2 week old Bichon Frise cross puppy Charlie. I got him when he was 8 weeks old and although I have a crate for him for first couple of nights I didn't close the crate door when I went to bed so he could come out into the kitchen, and I left newspaper down. I was getting up in the morning and he had used the newspaper and I was quite pleased with that. I then started putting him in the garden at regular intervals and stopped putting paper down and he was really good and didnt do anything inside the house. We then decided to try closing the crate door at night and since doing that get up every morning to a wet and soiled bed inside the crate. I have been taking his water up at 8 pm and he has his last meal at around 6pm. He has also started going on the carpet even when the back door is open for him to go out. I feel like we are going backwards now. Got up this morning to a messy and wet bed again, so I put him outside and he just cried and barked. I didn't let him back in until he stopped crying and barking but I ignored him for a while just pottering about in the kitchen. He just kept on following me and I just ignored him for about half hour and he just kept on crying, I felt bad ignoring him but I have read somewhere that you should ignore a puppy if they have done something that they shouldn't have done. Where am I going wrong, and what else can I do. He is such a lovely loving puppy and so well natured but I just want to get this training right

[nick_j007]

I would aim to walk him out to his toilet spot (create one in the garden) each and every hour during the waking day. Use a lead for this so that you show him what and where to go. At present you are leaving it to chance rather than creating a positive and repeated habit. Show him directly what it is you want, and then reward him for it.

I personally close a pup in the crate from night one and after a few expected accidents have clean dry nights from a very early start. I don't return to them once they're in for the night, not do I provide pads or paper as I feel it just encourages soiling in the home.

It is a bit hard line this way, but it gets good results with a minimum of fuss in a very short period. Try last food and water at 7pm say. Assuming you go to bed at 10:30/11pm? Water should be available at all other times during the day of course.

What brand of food is he on pls?

Btw, you're not going backwards, just experiencing the delights of puppy hood

[Honey1962]

Thanks Nick, he is on Tesco complete puppy food, but I have also been mixing a bit of puppy tinned meat in with it. I now have some Burns dried complete food which has been reccomended by the vet but I was going to finish off what he has left of the other first.

[nick_j007]

Make a transition over 4 days and stop the Tesco and tinned regardless of how much you have. It's not good food and may be part of the issue anyway. Just hand it in to your local pet shop and they send it to charity where cost is critical.

Burns is good. Is your dog a fussy eater btw?

Nick

[Honey1962]

Hi Nick, No he's not a fussy eater. I have just found out that he is two weeks older than I thought he was as the woman I had him off told me he was 8 weeks old when I got him but Just asked her for his date of birth and when I worked it out he was 10 weeks old so that means he is now 13 weeks not 11 like I thought. I have read all this stuff about the importance of training before 12 weeks old and now have passed that without realising. I hope it wont make any difference?

[nick_j007]

Socialisation period ends between 14-16 weeks depending on the book you read. No panic, just keep getting out doing all that you need your dog to accept in life. Dogs and other people are the main ones. Calm, controlled meetings and greetings are important, so daily please.

Keep up the good work.

Nick

[Honey1962]

Hi Nick, I am feeling really stressed today with Charlie. I dont want to be one of those people that has a puppy for a few weeks and then gets rid of him but I am feeling like I cant cope with him at the moment.

He has become very naughty and has mad fits running round like crazy and barking at me. If I sit down he wants me to pick him up on my lap (my fault for doing it the first couple of days) I am trying to ignore him barking at me but he just carries on and nips at me. He seems to be getting aggressive. He just wants constant attention, and when I get up in the morning he will bark at me and claw at my legs wanting to be picked up. I cant afford to go to a trainer with him so hope you can give me some advice and encouragement. I am really feeling like a failure at the moment. I just want him to be a happy content dog and not sure what to do. Karen ;-(

[nick_j007]

Originally Posted by Honey1962

Hi Nick, I am feeling really stressed today with Charlie. I dont want to be one of those people that has a puppy for a few weeks and then gets rid of him but I am feeling like I cant cope with him at the moment.

He has become very naughty and has mad fits running round like crazy and barking at me. If I sit down he wants me to pick him up on my lap (my fault for doing it the first couple of days) I am trying to ignore him barking at me but he just carries on and nips at me. He seems to be getting aggressive. He just wants constant attention, and when I get up in the morning he will bark at me and claw at my legs wanting to be picked up. I cant afford to go to a trainer with him so hope you can give me some advice and encouragement. I am really feeling like a failure at the moment. I just want him to be a happy content dog and not sure what to do. Karen ;-(

C'mon Karen it's only a little Bichon!

Let me tell you that whilst I find puppies cute, I feel they are of more interest and use from 6/7 months of age. They can be mad, bad, mindless and rude at this age so do stick with it.

Running about and barking is normal enough, but I stop that excess in the home and allow it in the garden or outside only as a rule.

Only pick him up (or offer any affection) when he is calm and sitting before hand. Be consistent with this. I suggest a mission for you NOT to pick him up ata ll for 7 days from today. You can sit on the floor assuming he is calm enough to start with, but again he must be calm. Small dogs are no less a dog than a larger ones, so rmemeber you're training him, not the other way round.

Some things can only be ignored to a certain extent. Everyone seems to think that poor behaviour will go away when ignored....wrong! Once it gets past a certain point we need to calmly step in (stand on the house line) and regain control of the little darling to redirect poor behaviour. Hold the lead and offer a 1-2 minute time out on a radiator valve or secure door handle until he is quiet. release once calm and quiet. No shouting please. If he does it again, then time out again. Simple and consistent on your part. Easy really

This may help:

Calm and sweet = Green light for go. Offer calm strokes and love and access.
Excessive/OTT = Red light for stop. Walk away and wait for the green light. Use time outs if needed.

Read my sections in the expert articles as some of that may help you.

Also pick through my Youtube channel as there are bits there re puppies.

It'll be fine. Just hang in there

Don't be a push over and stay calm.

Nick

[Honey1962]

Thanks for your advice Nick, I was getting quite stressed yesterday but I am going to follow your advice and persevere with him. Thanks again

[nick_j007]

Originally Posted by Honey1962

Thanks for your advice Nick, I was getting quite stressed yesterday but I am going to follow your advice and persevere with him. Thanks again

Good for you. Your dog is normal and so are you. Puppies can be pretty stressful I know. Be firm but fair and use my green light/red light idea.

Keep me posted babs.

Nick