My 15 week old still not housetrained

[Stewart]

I have a puppy that I've had for four weeks now, just recently she has been urinating in her crate and off and on on our floor. I shortened the crate, cleaned with the required cleaner (checking with a blacklite) and have followed a structured schedule, bringing her out every one hour then two hours. I also bring her out for exersize in the morning for about an hour, and again at 4:00pm for another hour. The "trouble" is that she manages to hold her waste overnight. Thus, it makes me believe this maybe a behavioural disorder, or a case of submissive urination. Has anyone had the same problem or know how to deal with this behaviour?

[adunphy]

Submissive urination usually occurs in front of people. When you pet her for example she would piddle. But if she is just pottying in her crate then she just hasn't gotten it yet. 14 weeks is still a bit young. I would remove bedding from her crate, make sure it is just large enough for her (not too large), continue to praise her with a cookie after pottying outside and just stay consistent. If taking her out every hour is not working then try every 30 minutes. You could also have her checked for a urinary tract infection. Finally make sure you are monitoring her water intake.

Amy

[Stewart]

Thanks, I took her to an off leash park -where we played for about 4 hrs! Too much exercise! She came into the house and immediately pee'd on the floor without warning, is there some way I can train her to warn us, or will she get it eventually? Just wondering, you've been so helpful.
Tom

[adunphy]

You can train her to ring a bell. Though I always think that the dog will often start to ring the bell just to get outside I find its best though to keep the dog on leash right next to you. Most dogs will sniff before they potty, if you notice that, you could take her out.

Most dogs will use whatever cue works. You could teach her to sit at the back door - thats the easiest Just ask for the behavior every time you go out. Reinforce it with a treat. Over time you can eliminate the treat and the reward is going out.

amy

[Peggybee]

I'm sure this sounds harsh, but I've trained puppies who pee or doo on the floor by yelling "No!" at the same time that I grab them up and rush them outside. They get the idea very quickly. People I know who have tried to train in cages find it takes longer. Well, if they are in a cage, you can't grab them up while they are in the act, can you? My way, they realize that what they are doing is unacceptable. If you then feel you have to be nice, praise them while they go wee outside.

[adunphy]

Yelling at the dog can create two issues

1. You will have a dog who will run away and then pee (because you aren't teaching them where to potty, you are teaching them not to pee in front of you)

2. Submissive urination - this is something many dogs can't control and should NEVER be punished.

I always recommend keeping the dog on a leash, supervision, lots of trips outside with a schedule, and reinforcement for going outside.
Amy Dunphy CPDT

[tinymh]

My Lab only peed in our house one time when he was a pup, this was while we were playing and totally my fault.

I would take him outside every 15 minutes (when I was home) and everytime he peed I would praise him like mad for being a "goodboy"....Now when he needs to go he walks to the door and "knocks" on it, I let him out I tell him to go be a "goodboy" and he goes pee right away. I am now dealing with a 9 month old rescue GSD that was not totally housetrained and I am finding the problem to be her walking and sitting next to the door when she needs to go and making no noises to let me know when I am in the other room. I am going to try the bells myself with her. Best of luck with whatever route you take. Just be paitent.