Puppy potty training question

[Anonymous]

We are really diligent about potty training or new puppy. That is, we bring her out at least every hour (I work from home). She often goes to the bathroom in the house - right after we bring her out! We feel like we have tried everything - treats when she pees outside, for example. Any suggestions potty training make it work?

[Anonymous]

This will sound snarky, and it's not meant to be- if she is continuing to have accidents, you are not being as diligent as you think you are.

If she goes when she gets back in the house, then that tells me she is unsupervised. You need to crate her or have her immediately near you at all times. Puppies usually give some sort of warning when they are about to go - walking in circles, sniffing the ground, etc. those are your cues to get her outside NOW. Then, the moment she pees, act like she is getting the Nobel and praise, treat RIGHT THEN. Too many people wait until they return to the house to treat, and the message gets lost to a little puppy brain. Reinforcement must be positive and immediate.

If you catch her mid-pee, you simply say "whoops!" and move her outside so she can start to relate that pee=outside. Set her up for success.

All that being said, she's just a baby, and accidents will still happen.

[Anonymous]

It takes a few weeks. You need to make sure that you are taking really high value treats outside with you every time you take her out. Like chicken. Every time she pees, give her a little piece of chicken and day good potty, puppy! Then take her back inside and lock her in the crate. It seems mean, I know, it feels terrible to lock them up, but she will just pee on your floor if you don't.

[Anonymous]

Also, are you taking her out and giving her sufficient time to go, or just letting her out to run around on her own? Puppies often pee more than once so take her out, let her go and then play with her or let her sniff around for a minute or two while seeing if she goes again.

How old is she?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I think my problem is that the kids and DH are leaving the food and water out, as if she can eat/drink free range - which of course, would not come until much later (after potty training, obviously!). It is unnerving to be the only one on board. Of course, DH is the one who promised the children a puppy without my okay. So yes, we have bigger problems here. But for now, I am trying to address one issue at a time - this one being potty training. Keep the helpful hints coming.

[Anonymous]

OP here. She is six months.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the advice above re: direct supervision or crate. Also, I would HIGHLY suggest you get off the free-feeding pattern. We made the mistake with my dog and it is a major inconvenience to have a dog who won't eat a full meal at once when we travel and he is with other dogs who will. We have a really hard time feeding him under those circumstances.