Jack Rusell

Question
Hi Melissa,
I have grown desperate with our 13 week puppy. I have to point out its our 8th day with him. Initially started well, we are crate training him and taking him out in the middle of the night if he starts crying. At nights he is perfect but in the day, I am home nearly all day, but either he will cry for attention , eventually he will stop, but he has started doing potty in the house, while 3 days ago he was much more controlled. I take him every hour and a bit, does nothing, but the minute he comes back he will find the opportunity to go potty on the floor. It seems he makes the effort to keep it in while outside , but non inside. Everytime he goes potty outside we praise him and give him a treat, now he seems wait his legs to hit the floor outside and he waits for the treat.

Please help!

Answer
Hello Stephen;
I know 8 days seem along time to work with a new puppy...but, you are just beginning!!!

There are many different ways to "Potty Train" a dog, but, the most effective I have found through the years is the "Crate" method!
Buy a Crate that will be large enough for him to stand up and turn around in, no bigger! This will stop him from wanting to soil in his area where he sleeps.
Use the crate to train him to go out to "Potty", and or Sleep overnight, to preclude accidents in the house.
Also, use the crate as a "Time out" to help earn his way outside to have a training session, or to have time to play and enjoy your time together.

Pick him up and carry him outside to where you want him to go "Potty". Don't leave him in more than 40 minutes during the day, as a young dog cannot keep it in that long...increase the time when he becomes about 6 months he can go about 2 hours.
Also, give him water and food after he Potty's in the morning...wait about 40 min. and then take him out again. Use this pattern all day. He will learn from this restricted activity, that he only gets to go out when he goes "Potty" first! Then, he gets to have the reward of staying out for awhile to have fun with you!
This is the time you can play ball, train on a leash, and eventually do obedience.

If you don't have time to work with him like this all day...then set up a Kennel (6ft fenced) area on your Patio, or garage, to show him where he is allowed to go "Potty" while you are busy.
This is the way to teach a dog, with a "REPEAT" pattern. This is the only way a dog will learn..
Keeping a young dog in your home all day, does not give the dog the understanding of what you are requiring from him.
So, do use this method while you are training, and as he gets older in a month or so, he will do very well. Keep consistent. Don't change the pattern, otherwise, he will become confused!

Also, try to get away from giving him treats! He is obviously now associating going outside with a treat, and not to go "Potty".

I like the "Praise" method, or Reward your dog with some play...again, positive reinforcement.
Also, don't scold him for making an accident in the house, as this will only train him to hide it or like the attention, even if it is "Negative" reinforcement...a game you don't want to begin to play!

Also, if you have a crate, it will help him while you are busy to take a "Time out" as well..so you will stop the "barking for attention" thing. Give him the "Quiet" command, keep him covered up, or alone in an area while you are busy doing something else. Again, don't keep a young dog in there for more than 40 min. Keep him busy with a toy in there as well..This helps keep him happier!

You will need to be looking for a lot of results after about 4 weeks! So, hang in there.
Jack Russell Terriers are very active dogs, and they can be "Stubborn". So, again lots of patience!

Let me know what goes on...hope you can survive the training...and then get to enjoy your dog, as they do have a lot to offer!!

Best regards, and please give me a rating to the site on my answer.

Sincerely,
Melissa