Housebreaking (crate training)

Question
Four weeks ago I bought a 7 week old Boston Terrier/Miniature Poodle mix puppy.  I've been crate training him and trying VERY hard to stick to a regular schedule and do it "right"!  He has an "accident" approximately once every two days.  ( usually caused because he didn't go "pee-pee" while we were outside)  Other than that, he seems to be doing pretty well.  It's been four weeks now and I'm wondering how long this process will take???  I'm getting a little discouraged because I read in "The Loved Dog" by Tamar Gellar that it usually takes about four weeks.  What is a "normal" or "average" amount of time this usually takes?  Also, have you ever seen a dog who couldn't be housebroken using this or any other method?

Answer
Once every two days isn't that bad. It sounds like he is getting it and you are doing a good job. 7 weeks is VERY young, and that would make him what? 11 weeks now? Quite young to expect perfection. How long does it take? It depends on the age, depends on the breed(s), sex (males tend to be harder, but have less submissive urination issues than females), depends on the dog. You can't take one estimate and make it work for all dogs. Small dogs actually tend to take longer to housetrain than larger dogs - for a few reasons. One, they have a REALLY small bladder and two, if they have an accident, sometimes it's hard to catch because the amount of urine isn't that noticeable. I hope you are going out with him and making sure that he is actually pottying. If he doesn't go within five minutes, I'd pop him back in his crate for five minutes and then try again - until you get elimination. THEN he can play. You want him to know that he has to take care of business before he plays and explores. Be sure to clean any soiled areas with a good enzymatic cleaner - anything less may eliminate the smell for pitifully inept human noses, but not for your dog! I'd limit his freedom in the house by closing doors and putting up baby gates, possibly even tethering him to you so you will notice when he starts sniffing for a place. Be patient. Keep up the good work and you'll be there soon. Sandy Case MEd, CPDT www.positivelycanine.com