Potty Training Yoshi

[Xervitude]

First time dog owner here (I has one as a child, but it wasnt really my responsibility to raise or train him).

My pup is about 10 weeks old and I am looking for guidance as to train the little guy to be the best he can be.

For now my biggest issues are biting and potty training.

First, the potty training. We have been using pee pads since we got him, and there has been varying success there (he 75% of the time goes on his pad but there is still the occasional 'accident'). Sometimes it is a genuine accident as he has his front paws on the pad, but his aim is a little off so he hits the carpet. That doesn't bother me as much as the other times when there is a fresh clean pad out for him and he chooses to go on the carpet instead.

My main question for this is a) am I being unrealistic? at his age does he have the bladder control to make it to his pad or is he just going because he absolutely cant wait? He doesn't seem to go more frequently than I would think is normal or anything. b) how long is realistic to be keeping him in a crate for at this age? I do want to enforce this good behavior but I dont want to be unfair to him by expecting him to perform better than he is physically able.

Like another poster here, he refuses to go outside and will often wait until we come in for walks to do his business (although a couple text messages from the girlfriend today indicate we have had limited success in convincing him that going outside is okay if we dont give him any other choice).

As for the biting, it isnt really aggressive biting but I see it as playing or teething or something. Whenever I pick him up to pet him he is always biting. At what point should I consider this a behavioral issue and not just 'something he will grow out of'

Thanks for any / all help

Xer

[sugarcatmom]

One of the best online sources for all things puppy is this website by Dr. Ian Dunbar: http://www.dogstardaily.com/ There are some great articles on house-training (like here) as well as how to teach bite inhibition: http://www.dogstardaily.com/training...ite-inhibition

[Xervitude]

Originally Posted by sugarcatmom

One of the best online sources for all things puppy is this website by Dr. Ian Dunbar: http://www.dogstardaily.com/ There are some great articles on house-training (like here) as well as how to teach bite inhibition: http://www.dogstardaily.com/training...ite-inhibition

Thanks for the quick reply. I will check those links out shortly

[Dee-O-Gee]

You REALLY need to get rid of the pee pads Sorry! It sounds like he could potentially become dependent on the pads and it (they) will deter your ability to properly house train. The key is persistance...persistance. Take him outside every half hour if you have to and when he does do the job outside, verbal praise goes a long way.

Aahhh the puppy biting. My theory has always been to use a wedge of fresh lime (not lemon). Keep a little wedge within arms reach and when he goes to bite/nip or chew on something you don't want him to, gently rub the lime onto the tip of his nose and gentle squeeze the juice with a firm verbal "NO". This has always been a successful remedy to our puppy training/behavior.

[Xervitude]

Originally Posted by klmccallum

You REALLY need to get rid of the pee pads Sorry! It sounds like he could potentially become dependent on the pads and it (they) will deter your ability to properly house train. The key is persistance...persistance. Take him outside every half hour if you have to and when he does do the job outside, verbal praise goes a long way.

Aahhh the puppy biting. My theory has always been to use a wedge of fresh lime (not lemon). Keep a little wedge within arms reach and when he goes to bite/nip or chew on something you don't want him to, gently rub the lime onto the tip of his nose and gentle squeeze the juice with a firm verbal "NO". This has always been a successful remedy to our puppy training/behavior.

Okay fair enough but what about while we are at work or asleep? Going on a pad is better than going on our carpet, no? I'm not arguing that you are right, can you just explain how I might make the transition (especially during the times I cant be there to supervise)?

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by Xervitude

Okay fair enough but what about while we are at work or asleep?

Read this link about setting up a puppy playroom, aka long-term confinement area: http://www.dogstardaily.com/training...-amp-doggy-den

[Dee-O-Gee]

Originally Posted by Xervitude

Okay fair enough but what about while we are at work or asleep? Going on a pad is better than going on our carpet, no? I'm not arguing that you are right, can you just explain how I might make the transition (especially during the times I cant be there to supervise)?

Persistance, patience and the old fashion way Xervitude. Take him outside every half hour to climatize him to the elements rather then an alternative to inside disaster. In about 6 to 8 months in time, Yoshi's will click and he will know that outside is the place to be only IF you are persistance in eliminating the indoor alternative.

[Pink-ET]

I see what Xervitude is saying though, if you are going to be at work all day and there is no-one to take the dog out to pee, what do they do? How long can they 'hang on' and on average at what age do they achieve that?