Questionthank you for the response! i do understand. you are right...it IS our fault.
one thing is though, is that he shows NO signs of having to go potty at all...the only reason he goes outside is because i let him out regularly. is that normal? and when will he start coming to me when he needs to go outside?
for the last two days we have put a gate in the kitchen while we are at work i let him out in the morning, and then come home in the middle of the day and let him out again...he hasn't had an accident yet this week! is that the right thing to be doing? My husband is wondering how it is teaching him anything...but i THINK i heard somwhere that they rather NOT go inside...so if they trust that you will come at sometime or another...they wont go inside?
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Followup To
Question -
I have a cute puppy named gizmo. he is now about between SEVEN months old. he is a fun great, smart puppy.
but i am worried about his potty training. and my husband is getting VERY irritated and mad.
we both work for 8-9 hours a day. he DOES potty on command (if he hased to go) and if we are watching him...he doesn't ever go potty inside. but when we are busy doing things in the house or have company, he will go potty inside. should he be fully potty trained by now? he KNOWS that he shouldn't go inside.
i just bought a gate for the kitchen so that him and our older dog can be confined...but my husband doesn't think i should leave him in there while we leave, he thinks he should be outside. i am confused at what to do.
also, he loves to chew. if you say NO he stops....but it won't be long til he gets somthing else. AND he somtimes likes to run away when we go outside...
i am ok with this...i was thinking it was just how puppies were, but my husband is angry and thinks he should be house broken by now? should he? 7 months old...should he still have accidents inside? PLEASE help!
thank you for your time:)
Answer -
None of his potty training problems are his fault... you say yourself he is potty trained. If he cannot open the door himself then how else is he to eliminate if you
"but when we are busy doing things in the house or have company, "
There is a funny saying amoung Pom breeders going through this sort of thing.
If you notice your Pom has had an accident you get a rolled up newspaper and begin hitting yourself on top of your head and repeat "I wasn't watching my Pom, I wasn't watching my Pom!" :o) Be accutely aware of where he is and what he is doing until you KNOW he is potty trained. Then make sure you are available to let him out when you see the signs he has to go. He is still a baby.
The chewing is probably because he is getting his adult teeth in and his gums are sore and chewing makes them feel better. Check his teeth. If you see a row of tiny baby teeth and then some adult teeth coming in you may need to have the baby teeth pulled. But keep some chewies around for him, beef knuckle bones, a raw chicken or duck foot is good. Lots of things for him to chew and if you catch him chewing a bad thing take it away and give him the acceptable chew item.
Lastly-teach him not to run away. It could save his life.
Best of luck!
--Trish
AnswerI have not known a Pom to not give a sign of having "to go" :o) They circle or start sniffing and then work up to a squate. Generally they will all sniff before they go. If you see him paying special attention to a certain spot, call him to the door and give the command "outside" or whatever works for you. Letting him out regularly is a great idea! He may never "go to you" to go out but should start going to the door. If you see him go to the door, just let him out-before too long he will go there and wait or wimper or scratch. But he may just go there and stand. Watch him. You are right, coming home and letting him out IS teaching him that out is where he is to eliminate.
"but i THINK i heard somwhere that they rather NOT go inside...so if they trust that you will come at sometime or another...they wont go inside?"
this is true. They would rather go in the same place all the time and they would rather not go where they eat and sleep. If they can hold it they will wait for you.
As far as the running away, it will take time and training.
Here are some links that may help-
http://www.dogsr.com/Dog%20%20Runs%20Away.htm
http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/bryer/running.html
-Trish
