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Pup seems to be going backwards with house-training

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  • 31-01-2017 10:36am
    #1
    kingaaa
    Registered Users Posts: 1,337 ✭✭✭


    I've a 4 month old puggle who was great at using the puppy mats or letting us know she needed to go out to the garden...but in the last week she very rarely uses the mats, opting most time to urinate right beside it, or even a couple of times on the furniture. We have a mat in every room, so she has access to one at all times. We are punishing her when she does it by putting her on a "time-out" in the back garden - or on the rare occasions she does use the mats we heap praise on her. Would love some advice on this on where we are going wrong, it's getting a bit frustrating now, especially since she was so good !!!


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    #2
    DBB
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,727 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Do you have to use pee pads? Regressions like this are all-too-common when you use them, as they can reinforce the dog for peeing inside the house... Peeing and pooping are inherently reinforcing in themselves, and you have essentially been heaping praise on her for toileting (on the pads) in the house.
    It seems to me that this regression is what has happened with your pup. There is simply no substitute for bringing them outside regularly, and not just heaping praise on them, but letting them hit the jackpot with a couple of tasty treats each and every time they go outside.
    Also, that is an inappropriate use of the Time Out as a punishment.
    If you're going to punish a dog, it must happen as the dog is carrying out the unwanted behaviour, not one second after. In addition, using any punishment around housetraining is very risky, because (a) it makes the pup not want you in the picture when they're peeing, which results in them trying to pee in places you can't see them, and makes it difficult for you to reinforce them for peeing where you want them to... And (b) it makes them anxious, and anxious dogs not only pee more, but pee more in inappropriate places.
    When it comes to housetraining, any mistakes the pup makes is squarely in the owner's shoulders, not the pup's. They must not be punished for housetraining mistakes. Instead, the owner should duly note that perhaps they're leaving it too long between garden visits, and not making it worthwhile enough for the pup to toilet outside the house, rather than inside.
    I'd suggest you go back to square one... Ditch the pads, arm yourself with treats and a huge bag of patience, brace yourself for some consistent, persistent opportunities to allow her to "get it right" with repeated visits to the garden, and most of all, stop punishing her for mistakes.


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    #3
    kingaaa
    Registered Users Posts: 1,337 ✭✭✭kingaaa


    DBB wrote: »
    Do you have to use pee pads? Regressions like this are all-too-common when you use them, as they can reinforce the dog for peeing inside the house... Peeing and pooping are inherently reinforcing in themselves, and you have essentially been heaping praise on her for toileting (on the pads) in the house.
    It seems to me that this regression is what has happened with your pup. There is simply no substitute for bringing them outside regularly, and not just heaping praise on them, but letting them hit the jackpot with a couple of tasty treats each and every time they go outside.
    Also, that is an inappropriate use of the Time Out as a punishment.
    If you're going to punish a dog, it must happen as the dog is carrying out the unwanted behaviour, not one second after. In addition, using any punishment around housetraining is very risky, because (a) it makes the pup not want you in the picture when they're peeing, which results in them trying to pee in places you can't see them, and makes it difficult for you to reinforce them for peeing where you want them to... And (b) it makes them anxious, and anxious dogs not only pee more, but pee more in inappropriate places.
    When it comes to housetraining, any mistakes the pup makes is squarely in the owner's shoulders, not the pup's. They must not be punished for housetraining mistakes. Instead, the owner should duly note that perhaps they're leaving it too long between garden visits, and not making it worthwhile enough for the pup to toilet outside the house, rather than inside.
    I'd suggest you go back to square one... Ditch the pads, arm yourself with treats and a huge bag of patience, brace yourself for some consistent, persistent opportunities to allow her to "get it right" with repeated visits to the garden, and most of all, stop punishing her for mistakes.


    good advice...duely noted!!

    Thanks DBB


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