Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dogs > Housebreaking my puppy

Housebreaking my puppy

19 9:39:16

Question
We adopted a Min Pin almost 3 months ago, she is now 5 months old. I started to housebreak her with the potty pads in the house because she would not go outside as it was too cold. She was doing pretty good with them, only having a few accidents and then she broke her leg and had to be in her exercise pen for 20 days. Ever since she got out, it is like she has forgotten what to do. Sometimes she uses them, other times she just pees or poops next to it or somewhere else in the house. It is so frustrating. I feel like she will never be house broken! Do you have any tips? Do I just have to start all over? I would like to try to start getting her to go outside, should I just take her outside, if so how often? We have another dog, he is a 45 pound Schipperkee/Chow mix and she will go out there with him and I thought she would see him and maybe learn from him but that hasn't happened. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I love her but am really tired of the peeing and pooping in the house! Thank you.

Answer
You need to start over, and you need to not use pee pads. If you use them, it teaches the dog it is ok to go to the bathroom in the house. You said the dog wont go out when it is cold, but if she was taught that is where she needs to go, that would not be an issue. You need to use a crate and start over with potty training outside.
Good luck