I have read many great topics on these boards and I need some advice on housebreaking. We have a Lab mix puppy that is 11 weeks old. We adopted her from the shelter just a week or so ago. We are using the crate for her at night and when we are at work and she has been dry. Once she goes outside and pees, we then like to keep her with us in the living room because she spends quite some time in the crate. Our problem is all of a sudden she will decide to relieve herself on the carpet. We do watch her closely and try to catch her in the act, but sometimes it's not quick enough. It could be only 15 minutes after she has been outside. We then say no! and outside and she heads to the door. Sometimes she doesn't need to pee when outside. I need to know how to give the right reinforcement. When she comes in we keep her in the kitchen and ignore her for a while. We have used baby gates but this morning she learned how the climb them and get over them(Any other ideas?!). Is there anything else we should be doing? Also it seems when she pees she does not completely empty her bladder and needs to go again, sometimes 30-45 minutes later. Is taking her out hourly going to make her need to eliminate more often? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Pretty normal for 11 weeks. She's just a baby at that age, literally. Be patient <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> You can expect accidents even up to 4 months give or take.

Keep an a close eye whenever she is not in the crate and praise her when she does go outside. Don't correct (nothing harsh at 11 weeks) her unless you catch her in the act. Just take her outside, praise her, and be consistent. She'll get the idea. Did I mention keep a close eye on her when she's not in the crate? lol. Taking her out on a regular basis doesn't hurt either. Remember she's a baby.

Eventually the problems will diminish, the accidents will be fewer, although just when you think your there she will have a few accidents. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hang in there. Sounds like your doing things right. Check out the Leerburg articles for more info on this very topic.

This is normal. But there ARE some things to be aware of.

First of all, I see a problem that is a bit counter-intuative. The house is too big for the dog to know that ALL if it is the "den". Dens in the wild are much much smaller. So what you will probably find is that puppy is great in some areas and "not so great" in others.

What to do? Pre-emptive strike! First of all, clean the heck out of the mistakes on the carpet. Something that neutralize order is mucho importanto.

Next .. simply take him out well BEFORE you would start looking for signs. Even if he goes out and doesn't do anything. Its okay. You are are letting him know that there is a right place for it. When you come back (if he has done anything), go to a place that he doesn't pee (usually around his crate or bed). Play for a minute or two and then go back out.

This may take 2-5 iterations if he is new to the "pee" command (very useful later in life).

When he DOES pee outside, praise him like he just saved the house from burning down. He has to know that peeing outside is his way to happiness and acceptance. (otherwise you'll always be mad an unhappy anyways).

In the end, many many methods work. Just keep consistent.

Good luck!
David C

Sorry -

When you come back (if he has done anything), Should read:

When you come back (if he hasn't done anything),

I keep my 13 week old pup on a leash, either tied to my belt loop, or looped around my wrist or ankle, in the house. He won't have an accident that close to me, and I can keep him out of trouble. He gets used to staying near me, gets used to the leash, and we have no *accidents* to clean up. It's either on the leash, or in the crate while in the house.

OK - he does get a small amount of free time indoors, when I can keep an eagle eye on him. But I have found the leash to be the best way to always know where he is!

Thanks for the advice. I have a couple other questions. Is it OK to give free water when we are home or when she is in the crate during the day, or should she be given water at certain times? Also we have a smart puppy and she discovered she can climb the baby gates we use to keep her in the kitchen. I thought about putting cardboard on the bottom to take away the "rungs" she climbs. Any other suggestions? It's hard to think back when we had our first dog, who was with us 12 years, and the troubles we had. As my vet said, we have puppy amnesia. I appreciate any help. Thanks!!

I recommend that you folks read the article I wrote on how to housebreak your dog and the Q&A section on housbreaking. In addition these issues are all covered in the video I recently redid titled Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months. http://leerburg.com/120.htm

I have puppy amnesia, too! This period is over so quickly, it's easy to forget the day-to-day stuff you go through, living with a puppy.

As far as water, I limit the amount my pup gets throughout the day. He is a big water drinker when he is left on his own - sometiimes I think he drinks just because it's there. He can't pass the water dish without wanting to take a sip (something I can relate to, but that's another topic!). I don't leave water in his crate for him, ever. He would drink it all, and then have to pee right away. He is only left in his crate for no more than 4 hours at a time, so he won't get too thirsty in that time.

I've never had a lot of luck with baby gates, and big, active, puppies. They always try to climb them, or knock them down. I still do best with my pup either attached to me by his leash, or in his crate. It's amazing how much he pays attention to me when he's on leash in the house - he has to watch me to know when I am moving from room to room, and since he is tied to me, I am his only source of entertainment. He can't go roughhouse with my old Lab if he can't reach her. I decide then, which toys he will have to play with, and where he will lie - all within six feet of me. Anyway - hope this helps!