Teaching To Hold In Potty

[Poedogruns]

So Aspen is 15 weeks old. We have had her for 4 weeks and housetraining is going along ok for a puppy. We don't have a fenced in yard, so all potty breaks are done by leash walking her from the house into the yard. She will do her potty and poop when she is outside without a problem. My challenge is making her realize she can hold it a little longer to make it to breaktime. I will take her out about every 30 minutes when we are home (except for night time. She sleeps from about 930pm to 400am without an accident). However, when she is just randomly walking, running, zooming around, she will squat a potty even when her last one was done outside just 15 minutes before. How do I get her to hold it in until breaktime?

 

[Ann]

You would think that because a puppy can hold it overnight they can do that anytime. But puppies' muscles that control elimination aren't fully developed until they're 6 months old, so you can expect accidents until then even with a puppy that seems to be trained.

When your puppy is running around and playing, it stimulates her urge to go and sometimes she just can't help it. She's not being bad, and may even know she should be outside but just can't control it yet. The best bet is to take the puppy out immediately after playing for a certain period of time.

From 16 to 18 weeks, your puppy will be well along toward house training and be able to hold it a bit longer, but you still have to be prepared for cleanups!

 

[Poedogruns]

Its not a big deal when it happens. Our carpets have definitely seen better days between 4 kids and 3 dogs. I dream about getting them replaced or just having one of those "homey" concrete floors that I see on designer shows.

I haven't scolded her for it. Its a pretty easy clean up. I do sometimes feel like it will never end although she does go potty outside when she is out there, so I know we have made some progress.

I just love her to death. This is crazy I know!

 

[Mitchy]

I think it is just as noted above - that when she is playing she is just stimulated.

Might consider having her urine looked at by a vet if it is urination all the time, just to be sure there isn't an infection.