Comment

Comment by Heather and Ella on June 27, 2009 at 12:01pm

We are still a work in progress. Ella turned 1 yr earlier this month, and she needs to go out every 4 hours or so. She can last up to 6/8 hours, but would prefer not to. Our problem was that we got her from a farm. She lived on hay and just went when she needed to. We got her at 8 months old and she was covered in pee/poop and used to it. It was a long process of just making sure we took her out every few hours. She's very good now, and walks on her leash at least 4/5 times a day to go out and do her business. We tried the training pads for a bit, but she tries to eat them. What worked for us was being consistent that first few months. She will still have an accident once in a while, when she forgets to let us know she needs out, and always looks guilty.
My best advice would be to watch for when your dog needs to go out and start a routine.

Comment by Jude, Lily and Louise on June 22, 2009 at 6:05pm

We were very lucky with both dogs. Mace was reliable at 5 months with accidents if she was playing (just like a kid). Lily was very easy because someone was with her 24/7 (she goes to work with me). If you keep it positive, consistent times and learn to read their signs it can be very easy.

Funny story, Mace was about 10 months old and she was completely house broken (no accidents at all for at least 3 months). My partner's mom came to visit from out of town. This women is, uh, challenging? OK she is the reason they came up with the b word. The three of us were sitting in the living room trying to make small talk, well, her mom was busy criticizing everything. Like for example, "I like the color you chose for this room..." (wait for it, wait for it) ".....I guess some people like the cold institutional look" (there it is). You get the picture. The tension in the room was so thick you could barely breathe, I was silently kicking myself that I wasn't drunk. Mace was laying in her favorite spot watching the scene. After a particularly mean comment from she-who-shall-not-be-named, Mace got up went to the exact center of us looked at us to make sure we were watching and squeezed out a load of poo about the size of head, calmly looked at us and trotted away pleased with herself. Editorial comment made, her work was done!!! I swear I heard her snicker as she trotted out of the room. God, I was so glad I could excuse myself to clean up the mess. When we were out of sight, I gave Mace a handfull of treats and made myself a strong scotch and water.

Comment by Kyle, Megan and Loki on June 22, 2009 at 3:55pm

Mine has been flawless the last 3 weeks , so about til the 5 month mark. However training him on pads was a waste for us, as far as poop goes as he roves as he poops (can't do it in one spot for the life of him) we did however train him to poo on a 'dog potty' (ugodog) so there are no messes when we come home, just give it a good rinse in the tub.

Comment by Beth on June 22, 2009 at 3:03pm

I'd say he was fairly reliable by about 5 or 6 months. Peeing, he was bad at because if he was playing and excited, even if he'd just been out, he'd just pee in mid-play. #2 he was good early. But he was not 100# reliable til about 9 months, as Sam said, due to physical limitations.

He was 8 months old his first Christmas, and he lifted his leg and peed on my Christmas tree. LOL. I said "What are you doing?!" and he looked at me and said "Peeing on a tree, like always, of course!". LOL I think he just thought it was kind of us to finally get indoor plumbing for him, too.

Comment by Sunni A. on June 22, 2009 at 2:40pm

Eddy has been running to the door, sitting down, and yelling "YARP" to go out (pee or poop) for about 6 weeks now. He will be 5 months old in a few days. He still has accidents, though, like on a puppy play date or just getting out of a bath.

Comment by Derek on June 22, 2009 at 2:16pm

I got my pup at 4 moths old and she was good about pottying outside. If I was not careful about timing then there was a mess, but she was good when I had her out ever 4 hours and she did not have accidents at night. She seemed embarissed when she did have an accident. I guess she learned it from the other dogs at her previous house. If you have another dog, they help teach your new baby where to go. Its great!

Comment by Sam Tsang on June 22, 2009 at 1:40pm

The actual training doesn't take long, the mastering part takes 9 months - 1 yr, that's due to physical limitation and hormonal challenges, read the FAQ for more info.