Help! Toilet training! (and now sleep help needed)

Toothfairy4

Croatoan wrote: »

We're basically following Ian Dunbar's teaching as much to the letter as we can and are crate training ours. We've had three accidents in the first fortnight and none so far this week. The accidents were our fault as we weren't watching him.
Basically if you're not there to watch him every second then he should be in his crate (which should have plenty of chew toys). Take him out every hour to see if he wants to do his business. If he hasn't in two or three minutes put him back in the crate for 15 mins and then take him out again, and continue until he does - it won't take long. Having done his business then play/train for a few minutes then back in the crate. After eating/drinking wait five minutes and take him out. After playing take him out. It won't be too long before he spends more time out of crate than in it, and he'll be telling you when he wants a wee (as ours is doing now).

I highly recommend this website.
http://www.dogstardaily.com/

Great website Croatoan i'm sure your wee boy would create a lot more mess than mine lol.

Person_one

zaksmum wrote: »

That's what I did with my dogs. Then when they do produce, praise them to the skies. But if they do it indoors, point to the offending poo or wee and say "No!!" a few times. He'll soon get the message.

The first part is good, the second is not so good.

If they go indoors and you see it happening put them out straightaway. If you don't catch them in the act just clean it up. Pointing, showing, shouting, rubbing noses etc. just confuses them.

Dogs need instant consequences/results.

Katiehound

This is possibly a silly comment! but if your pup doesn't like the cold and wet I assume you have a coat on him?
My hounds have thin coats- I mean they have very little fur themselves. One will not go in the garden alone if it is raining! If I put her coat on and mine too, ie walkies! it is a different story.

Toothfairy4

Very proud! No accidents today at all and he is whining to let us know he needs to go, walking out by himself and going quite quickly once out. Think he's figured if he wants to get back in quickly he has to go! Hopefully on the right track now

Screamed the house down last night when put to bed mind you so still need to crack that one lol.

rising_from_the_ashes

YAY! Great news Fairy!

Gingham_R

Sounds like it's going well!

I kept my dog on a lead in the house until he started going to the door when he needed to go, rather than circling or squatting in the house. We only had 2 accidents in the house. Very full on, but ultimately worked wonders. Very quick, very straightforward for the dog and no confusion by allowing mistakes.

Also, for anyone else training a dog at the moment, shouting or punishing for mistakes in the house teaches the dog that it's safer to do it when you're not looking, so often that method will lead to a dog that will stand outside for ages, then pee behind the sofa when she gets in.

Toothfairy4

Ok so toilet training is now going well hes still not a fan of the rain but is slowly getting used to it.

Now need some advice on getting him to sleep at night. We have his bed by the radiator in the kitchen with a hot water bottle and the kitchen door closed. He gets a treat as he is put to bed and some reassurance. As soon as we go upstairs he SCREAMS, not just a whinge but a proper squeal! This goes on pretty much all night, in fact i dont think he slept at all last night. He is scared stiff the poor thing, when i went in this morning he was trembling and crying still

Anyonr got any ideas on what to do to help him?

Person_one

You need to do some 'alone training' I think.

This is gradually getting the pup used to spending longer and longer periods of time alone. If he's never separated from his humans except at night when they leave him in the dark for 8 or more hours you can understand why he gets stressed!

Start slow, just leave the room for a few minutes and gradually build it up. Don't be tempted to go to him in the night because of his crying as he'll just learn that it works, only go to him for his scheduled toilet breaks and don't interact too much, only a quick praise when he pees or poos, and then back to bed.

Good luck, you'll get there and it'll all be worth it!

Croatoan

It's really difficult but unless you're someone prepared to have your dog with you all night, you just have to ignore him. Under no circumstances go down. He'll eventually get used to it.

Toothfairy4

We dont go down to him, it is very painful to listen to though... Should we try putting him in the kitchen alone for a while during the day then? He literally screams as soon as the door is shut, even during the day. Poor soul