Puppy potty-training help!

[HopeShelties]

That's a shame that you are crating that puppy 16-20 hours a day. I'd be really upset if I learned one of my puppies got sold into a home where all it did was sit in a crate all of the time.
She's basically a baby. She's only 3 1/2 months old, and you can't expect a puppy that young not to make mistakes. Their bladders are tiny, and they just can't hold it for long. This isn't her fault, and she shouldn't be punished by being made to spend so much time crated up. Even if the puppy knows it's supposed to go outside, sometimes it isn't physically possible for that puppy to hold it inside if their bladder is full.
There's another thing about crating all the time.... if she's always up, how is she ever supposed to learn the house isn't a potty if she isn't hardly ever loose in the house (I don't mean loose and unsupervised, just loose).

 

[enigmaquandry]

That's a shame that you are crating that puppy 16-20 hours a day. I'd be really upset if I learned one of my puppies got sold into a home where all it did was sit in a crate all of the time.
.

HopeShelties thank you for your concern. We have taken steps to make sure she is able to get out more but I want you to know that these hours are an estimation, she goes on vacation with us and often in the car with me wherever I go. Some days she is only in the crate for maybe an hour (except at night) and sometimes it is much more. When she is out she is always excercised very well until she starts to get sleepy and nap and that is when she goes back in the crate. She never is just sitting in there with nothing to do, if she is awake we usually take her out or she has a puppy kong with some peanut butter. We love her very much and are trying to do everything for her best. Thank you for your advice.
We were told puppies her age need to sleep/nap 18-20 hours a day anyway. Is this not right for a 3 1/2 month puppy? She usually gets those bursts of energy and then naps and so on for the whole day.

 

[lizzettestetson]

My best friend is in the exact same situation with her sheltie puppy - she takes it on marathon walks, constantly watches it indoors, but it still has potty problems.....

It sounds like you're a great sheltie mom with a "strong willed" pup - keep up the good work and don't give up on her.




.......this is why cat's are the ultimate pet

 

[davemize]

She goes outside every 4 hours or so. We take her out every time we take her out of the crate. After she goes out she'll play and then go back in the crate. If she's been playing more than 30 minutes we take her out again. She probably spends 16-20 hours a day in her crate. It's hard to have her out more often because we have to watch her every second.

Potty breaking takes some planning and effort, all right. We take our 8 wk old puppy out every 30 - 60 minutes when he's up during the day. Your young puppy can never be out of your sight for even a minute during this phase. Every successful outdoor potty must be praised excessively, every indoor accident quietly cleaned up, de-scented and ignored. Your puppy should never be outside without you at a young age, as he won't be learning anything from his potties. Also take outside after naps, 20 - 30 mins after food/water and immediately after horseplay.

You might have to take your older puppy back to these basics again to make sure he gets them down pat. It can be really tough if everyone works during the day. Perhaps you can arrange for someone to help during the day?

Good luck to you!