| Subject: Re: We need help.... |
Author:
Lee McCartney
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 07:29:21 07/09/07 Mon
In reply to:
Jennifer
's message, "Re: We need help...." on 20:16:03 07/08/07 Sun
10+ hours is too long for any dog to be crated and expected to hold it, but especially a puppy. They simply do not have the bladder control that an adult dog has, and it is also not good for their kidneys to have to hold their urine so long, it can lead to recurrent bladder infections/UTIs.
I suggest you try to find a neighbor or pet sitter to come in at least once, preferably twice a day (mid-morning & mid-afternoon) to let him out for a potty run.
In addition, simply putting him outside and letting him play after you get home is not teaching him to potty outdoors. He's simply going because that's where he is. You need to get him on a very defined potty schedule, use key words such as 'go potty' and use lots of praise & rewards when he does go potty in the appropriate place. When he awakes of a morning, take him out to potty, use your key phrase until he goes, then praise & reward; after his morning breakfast, take him out again; when you get home, immediately take him out, using the same key phrase, praise & reward; after dinner, do it again; and just before bed, do it again. As I said, optimally a puppy his age should be going out at least every 2 hours.
He is not going to put two & two together until you get him on a schedule, you stand there with him while he does his business & praise/treat. Simply letting him outside to do as he may is merely play time to him and he's not making the connection that outdoors means potty time. You have to show him what you want, praise & reward when he does what you want, and then he'll start to make the connection. As it stands now, he simply does not understand what you want from him.
I also suggest that you get him neutered as soon as possible before he starts with marking territory behavior. Some vets will do pediatric spay/neuters, others require the dog be at least 6 mo. of age.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 