two new puppies.. training problems

Question
i have two puppies in which i got at the same time. one (Rylee) is 4 months old and is a carin terrier and the other (Mia) is a 3 month old poodle/westie mix. my problem is i take them outside and put them in their "play pen" and this is where we take them to go outside to go to the bathroom. they wil be out there for about 15 to 30 min. and then i will bring them inside and they will pee in the matter of minutes sometimes. i dont get it. and i also only allow them to drink a little each at certain times. they just dont get going to the bathroom outside.

another problem i am having is training them. they are kind of getting used to coming to me and listening to me if i take one at a time outside with me to run around, but i just cannot have both outside together because they do not listen to me at all and just run off and i have to run after them. should they be trained together on their basic stuff? or separate? and also we keep them in the same crate at night and while we cannot watch them, is it ok to always do this? or wil they get to used to being together all the time and not like being alone?

thank you!!

Answer
SOme basics:  All dogs need obedience training. That will solve most of the issues you have including the run-away. In OT the trainer should teach that the dog is controlling you if it runs and you chase it. You have to go the other way and make the dog chase you. Now you are controlling the dog. All of this is in my book and DVD on obedience training and dog behavior and part of basic obedience.  

I have lots of posted resonses for potty training. A., it takes a while depending on the breed and other pets. B, you need to be with the dog when they go outside to offer praise and encouragemet. C, the dog needs an immediae activity to get its mind of potty when it come in and d) if the dog goes inside and you catch them in the act (the dog has completely forgotten about it in 3-5 seconds later) you can correct the dog and immediately put it back outside to go. The other issue may be the dog is marking its spot because of the other dog. Neutering will usually cure this within a few weeks, but the soiled area must be thoroughly cleaned. Bleach, Odo-Ban, Natures Miracle or Kennel odor eliminator. If the animal can detect any trace it will continue to go to the same spot.  

As long as the dogs get along there is no issue with crating together, however, we don't do it because we want each dog to have its own den. If they go in together to one, no problem. But if they have to share food, toys, treats, bedding and it becomes a competition, then the den needs to be divided. We have four in house dogs, the oldest, a greyhound has a blanket onthe kitchen floor that he chooses to share with one beagle or some of the cats. The doberman has his own crate and the new puppy beagle has his own. So each has and shares space as it needs.

While a bit harder, you can tandem train both dogs at the same time. But it is easier to do both at the same time with 2 people so the individual needs can be addressed.

Regards,
Henry Ruhwiedel
Westwind Kennels LLC
www.dogkennel.org