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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]How do some of you have time to do this? I’m not being snarky, but how does anyone who works deal with a puppy? I don’t think most people have all day to be playing games with the dog, putting them in and out of the crate, etc. [/quote]

It really depends on the dog, but many get the hang of it within days, not weeks or months, and then it's just a matter of having a routine and keeping a sharp eye out until they get bigger and have a mature bladder. Our current dog was fully house trained within a few days (using the method pp outlined above). I then taught him to ring a string of bells hanging on the door when he needed to go out. The only problem was that my DH and children were out of town while I house trained him, so for a while he thought he could only poop for me. If they tried to take him out, he would literally hold it and then come find me to take him out. On the other hand, I had one dog that lived to be 15 that I never fully trusted alone in the house. [b]IME, it's the smaller dogs that are harder to house train[/b]. I loved our little guy, but I don't think I'll ever have another little dog. [/quote]

I agree with the bolded. Cumulatively, small dogs make the bigger mess.

I think they do understand the idea of it in a few days, especially if you're consistent, but they aren't "potty trained" for months. And the more "oopsies" they have, the longer it takes.

Also, what you said about bonding to one person... This is why, as I said upthread, the reality of sending your dog off for doggy day care or boarding for training isn't likely to be the result you're seeking. The dog will do great for someone whose whole job is this; we're really good at noticing the cues that they need to go, and a good trainer/boarding facility will pay close attention to your dog. But if you don't keep up that same level of effort/energy and awareness once the dog gets home, it will revert to whatever it's used to doing with you. And yes, if you have multiple people helping with the dog, you all have to be on the same level with your training.[/quote]

I think a lot of novice dog owners get small dogs thinking they’ll be less trouble, and it’s a mistake. I’d had large dogs all my life and never had an issue house training a dog until I got one that weighed ten pounds. The dog never learned to “ask” to go out. He would just look agitated. I always said that my ten pound dog was at least twice as much trouble as my 60 pound dog. I researched this, and experts say that small dogs have a smaller sense of their territory or “den,” so it is harder to impress on them that the bathroom at the other end of the house isn’t outside their “den.” Never again. [/quote]

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