Housebreaking help

[Lil'Darlin1972]

<span class="ev_code_PURPLE">Anyone else out there had recent experience with a young puppy ??

Mitzi, our mini schnauzer is 11 weeks old. We've had her since she was 7 weeks old. She is the youngest puppy I've ever had. In the past our dogs have been 12-14 weeks old.

I know the how....that's not an issue. I am just wondering the WHEN. I don't remember at what age they can start holding until until the next time they go out. She goes out 20 minutes after eating/playing and right after she wakes up.

I FEEL like this it taking forever. It seemed like my other pups had it in a couple of weeks. But I am thinking that's because they were older when I brought them home.

Does anyone remember how old their pups were when you considered them "house broken" ?? </span>

[Lil'Darlin1972]

<span class="ev_code_PURPLE">Anyone else out there had recent experience with a young puppy ??

Mitzi, our mini schnauzer is 11 weeks old. We've had her since she was 7 weeks old. She is the youngest puppy I've ever had. In the past our dogs have been 12-14 weeks old.

I know the how....that's not an issue. I am just wondering the WHEN. I don't remember at what age they can start holding until until the next time they go out. She goes out 20 minutes after eating/playing and right after she wakes up.

I FEEL like this it taking forever. It seemed like my other pups had it in a couple of weeks. But I am thinking that's because they were older when I brought them home.

Does anyone remember how old their pups were when you considered them "house broken" ?? </span>

[Pusherman]

Shan, it takes a while. I think several months for the puppy to get it down pat, and even then, there may be accidents.

Baby Bessie (who is now 19 months old - not much of a baby anymore) took her time, but she finally got it. We got her at 7 weeks also.

As you know, consistency is the answer. Out she goes after playtime and after eating. Not to mention lots of times in between.

Did you try the bell on the door trick? Place a bell on the door, and have the puppy ring the bell (with your help) with her nose every time she goes out. Eventually the puppy will associate ringing the bell with her signal to you to go out. It works!

Our older Golden Chelsea to this day rings the bell to go out. Unfurtunately Bessie did not learn this one.

P.S. We got a canvas kennel for use in the motorhome. It worked great, as that was her safe spot to travel in until she got comfortable outside the crate while traveling. Also contained the 'accidents' to an area easily cleaned. We started camping with Baby Bessie at about 8 weeks.

[mom2mastiffs]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lil'Darlin1972:
[color:PURPLE]Anyone else out there had recent experience with a young puppy ??
I am just wondering the WHEN. I don't remember at what age they can start holding until until the next time they go out.

It depends on the breed also--some are very easy to housebreak but for some reason some of the smaller breeds are a bit more difficult.
Sparkle was pretty solid at 4 months but we crated her when we couldn't watch her every minute and we took her out OFTEN. Pusherman is VERY correct--consistency is critical!
I had a friend with a French Bulldog and it took her until almost a year old!
I have read that it takes most puppies until they are about 5-6 months before they can hold it more than 2-3 hours--again depending on breed.

[TXiceman]

Our older male schnauzer was potty trained at 11 weeks...fast learner. The you nger female we got from a rescue center and do not know her history as she was 1.5 to 2 years old at the time. SHe will on occassion have an accident in the house, but they are less frequent now.

It helps to keep them in a crate when you are not around and stick to a pretty regular routine. Right after feeding they need to go out, right after they get up in the morning and right after a nap. WE also put ours out everynight when about 9 PM. If we don't they come and remind us that it is time to go out.

If we are up later than normal, we will put them out one more time.

The biggest help is a regular schedule until they are grown and have a full size bladded. She will learn (or I should say, she will have you trained) pretty soon.

Ken