Potty training and bathing

Question
QUESTION: Hi Delores

My question to you is I bought a 4 month old cross between cocker and maltese male pup, we are trying to potty train him but he often does it inside the house and when he is out in the backyard he gets himself muddy I give him a bath but I do not know how to avoid his big ears, how do I put cotton in them to avoid water getting in? Please help me on this, also he is teething and tends to bite on mulch and anything he sees. Can you please mail me on my email id that is purnima65@gmail.com

regards

ANSWER: At four months he should be housebroken so I'd need to know how you're approaching this.  You need to "take" him out on leash - wait till he goes - then praise & reward.  Take him out every 2 to 3 hours and immediately after feeding or a nap.

You should be taking him on two walks a day - at least half an hour each.  That will help with housebreaking and getting rid of excess puppy energy.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your prompt reply Delores. We do take him out on a walk every evening but he does not relieve himself then. Its in the afternoons and early morning somewhere around 6am that he does this and that too on the carpets.

Will using the potty training solutions from the pet shop help us? We do praise him and reward him when he does it outside. Also what do I do when its rainy weather? Can a litter box used for cats help me on these occassions?

regards

ANSWER: He needs MUCH more exercise than a quick evening walk.

As to housebreaking - are you taking him out regularly during the day and especially before bedtime?  Is he alone all day?  I'm not sure of his situation.  How often is he fed?  Where does he sleep?  Have you tried crating him at night?  Is this your first dog?

But yes, PetSmart sells "potty pads".  I very much doubt you could train a dog to use a litter box.

I really need to know more about his schedule.  Routine is your friend when training a puppy.

Delores



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply. I am not able to take him out twice a day and yes he is alone when we all go to work. He sleeps in my son's room and we feed him thrice a day. He is our first dog though we have had dogs earlier but my mum took care of them so I am quite new to potty training.

I cant really make him sleep in laundry as we treat him like a child.What is crating? I am not sure of that vocabulary.He does have his own bed.

His routine is he gets up at 6 am bfast at 8am lunch at 1pm and dinner at 7pm. when he was new he would relieve himself at about 9pm every night but now he doesnt do that i would sit with him in the backyard to get him used to doing his potty out. He pees outside so that is not the trouble its only potty.

Answer
So this behavior is fairly new?  Does he always do this when no-one is around to let him out?  I'd definitely take a stool sample in to the vet and have him checked for worms.

I'd also like to know what you're feeding him and how long his one walk is in the evening?  And...how does he let you know he has to go out to urinate?
Delores