Ok peeps, we need help. We have a 9-10 week old cocker spaniel. It's only been 2 weeks since we have had her but there is ZERO progress in the potty training area. We take her out after she wakes from naps, a little while after she eats... and just about every half an hour anyway. She's rewarded with a treat when she potties outside. We she does pee inside... which is just as much as she does outside, we clean up all traces of urine. She's not hit or scolded when she goes inside... we just tell her no and take her out. She can go 3-4 times in the yard, we'll take her in and within 5 minutes she'll have gone again on the floor. Like I said, it's been two weeks and she's a puppy... I understand there is a learning curve for her, but I thought there would at least be SOME progress with it. Any ideas... anyone?

-HH

First - she should have a confined area indoors, with papers etc. You can buy adjustable 'playpen' gates, or just make one out of stuff she can't get around. Maybe 4' x 4'. She'll be far less likely to go in her space. A crate at night is good too, with blankets and toys, with the door open to the confined area for peeing (hopefully not) and drinking water. It shouldn't be too long before you can close her sleeping crate at night, because she should be able to go all night without peeing.
Second, is there any chance of a UTI?
Third, aim for a schedule. Dogs love them. You can change them of course as she gets older.
Fourth, do you know if she had any training at all before you got her? Puppies can learn a lot very early. If she didn't, more work for you. Certainly doable pretty quickly. If you think she's peeing out of nervousness from too much going on around her and too many people or other animals, cut down on all that.

We had a UIT issue with our cat and once we got him medicated for it things cleared up real fast. Most likely the dog is going to see the vet this week for that. That would, of course, explain her inability to hold it.

As far as crates and cages that is exactly what we're doing. She won't go IN her bed, but believe me she has no problem peeing RIGHT next to it. Washing her bedding and sleeping animals is a daily thing at this point because they always get peed on. We do of course have two younger girls, and I've talked to them about settling down in the house so the dog doesn't get too worked up. Honestly most of the time when she goes it's and quite and calm as things could be. She does well on walks, as I said always goes as soon as we take her out. Just can't get it through to her where NOT to go. I'll keep you posted on the UTI. Thanks

I do not agree with Joy on this. Do not put papers down, and do not use puppy pads, unless you want to train your very young puppy to continue pottying inside.

Your puppy is 10 weeks old. At this point you're training, but you won't see results. She's far too young to hold her bladder for long, and far too young to really understand what you want of her. That's not to say that you shouldn't be training her. You should, and it's great that you are. But don't expect her to really get it until she's at least 4 months old. Until then she really can't even tell when she has to go pee.

At her age she should not be crated for more than 1 1/2 hours a day (the rules is one hour for each month of age). Take her out at least 15 minutes after each meal. If she doesn't potty then, wait a few more minutes and take her again. She should be going out every hour at least.

At night crate her, but be prepared to take her out every 3 hours for a break. Make sure her crate is not too big, just big enough for her to stand, turn around, and lie down. Most dogs don't potty where they sleep but that does depend on where you got her from, and the conditions she was living in. If she's a pet store puppy she'll have a harder time learning to potty outside, and she will likely also potty in her crate, because that's what she was taught to do.

Keep up the training, but be patient. She still has to grow up a bit before you can expect her to be reliable with potty training.

Good luck :)

Puppies, like babies, take time and patience to potty train. Pads and papers should not be advised. This only causes confusion to the young pup.

Along with what Alty said, you need to watch for cues. Sniffing and circling are two such cues that puppy is needing to go out.

I feel your pain as I have a 13 week old catahoula leopard puppy. We've had her for about a month now. She's getting better and she might go a day or two without accidents, but she still has them. Our old lab/Aussie mix housebroke all of our other dogs but she's just too old to train this one.

Great added advice J. Another note, if you catch puppy mid pee or mid poo, pick her up and bring her outside. You may end up with a spray of urine all over you, but most times when puppy is picked up, she'll stop peeing, same with pooing.

This gives the clear message that doing this inside is not okay. Then you just have to wait for puppies body to catch up with the training.

Also, when you're outside use a potty word. Choose one word, and stick to that one. When she does go outside throw a huge party. I'm talking pets, belly rubs, good girl, such a good girl, treats, you name it. When she does it inside, a firm no, then take her outside.

Dogs live to please their people, and will do what they're taught to do. But it takes time, it takes patience, and it takes work. You have to be just as strict with yourself as you are with her. If you do this half way (not saying that's what you're doing, but too many people do), then you'll only get half the results you want.

If by the age of 6 months she's still pottying in the house, then there may well be a medical issue. If you do think this could be a UTI, then mention it to your vet when she goes in for her next set of shots, or before if she's showing signs that this could be a UTI. But for a 10 week old puppy to pee a lot, or pee in the house, is not a sign of a UTI, it's just a sign of being a 10 week old puppy. :)

We'd love pictures.

Then there's this.

http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/dog-nutrition/Submissive-Urination-Problem

I too don't agree with papers or puppy pads; but I cant expound on alty's advice. You have to remember that she is a baby, small bladder, same as young children peeing in bed because their bladders haven't caught up to their growing bodies yet.

Joy, the puppy in that article is 10 months old, almost a year! HH's puppy is 10 weeks old. Weeks! This is a baby. Like all babies, it takes time for their bodies to catch up. At 10 weeks of age a puppy doesn't even understand the feeling of having to pee. They just do it. If you're lucky enough to be outside when they do it, than one less puddle to clean up. But at this age it's unrealistic to except this puppy to be potty trained. Most dogs don't have actual control of their bladders until at least 4 months of age. You should do some googling about that instead of googling older puppies with potty issues. That doesn't even begin to apply to this case. Not even close.

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Well, it does seem we are doing pretty much everything mentioned above. She actually had a very good day... except she went literally right when I was telling my wife how good she had been tonight ;) We do use a pad in her cage, but only at night. Surprise surprise it was dry this morning. I wasn't, she went on me as I picked her up to take her out (but I was blown away she held it all night!). Since she was able to hold it that long and then some while my wife ran in to town today I'm not worried about a UTI anymore. As everyone has mentioned, she is just very young still. We'll see how the next few days/weeks go... she made progress today that was noticeable so I'm sure it'll all be fine. Just like an infant, I can't wait to get her out of diapers. Thanks all, I'll keep you updated.

A pad in her cage? Not good HH, not good at all. Not unless you actually want to teach her to potty in her crate, which is not only unnatural for her, but setting yourself up with a lot of issues later on.

The reason that her crate was dry is because it's not natural for a dog to pee or poo where it sleeps. She's a good girl, but boy she must have been ready to burst if she had to hold it all night. Poor pup. Sorry to say, but her peeing all over you, well, you kind of got what you deserved by making her hold it all night at 10 weeks of age. Not okay. Sorry if that sounds harsh, I don't mean it to. Just stating the facts.

Look at it this way. In the wild, dogs live in dens. From the moment they're born momma dog doesn't allow them to pee in the den. She carries them outside to do their business, and she does it often because they're little and need to potty often. Puppies are born knowing that it's not okay to pee and poo where you sleep.

Sadly, once we started bringing dogs into our homes, they relied on us to show them where we want them to potty. The crate is her den, and unless she has no choice, or she's taught to pee and poo there, she won't. It goes against her nature. But, if you got to go, and no one takes you out of the crate so you can, then you'll go, and you'll quickly learn that that's what your humans want you to do, to go against your nature.

Work with her, not against her. Take her out often, even at night. It's like having a newborn. You had to get up every few hours then to change diapers, and it's the same with a young puppy.

By around 4 months of age she shouldn't have to get up at night to potty anymore, but at her age she does. If you continue to make her hold it all night, and she continues to be a very good girl and not allow herself to pee, even though I'm very sure she's ready to burst long before you take her out of her crate, then she will soon have the UTI you thought she had.

Sad. The links didn't work. It told me I was trying to view a link that was no longer available. :(

For the pictures? Hmmm... I just checked them and could still view them. Anyone else unable to?

I see them.

So it's just me?

Darnit! Maybe it's the skin I'm on. :(

I can't see them either

Now I can't see them.

It's a plague! We're destroying the internet! ;)

It's those Russian hackers!

LOL! Okay, before we hijack this thread, pictures would be nice, but they're not necessary to answer this question.

So I'd like to ask how HH feels about the advice given so far, and if he needs any more advice on how to properly raise a puppy. :)

I think he should report on this thread daily, successes as well as failures. That way, we'll be on top of the potty training. (His pup is darn cute!)

Wish I could see the pup, but I know cocker's, and they're adorable. Not my breed of choice, but not because of temperament or looks, just the size. I like bigger dogs. Having said that, they're smart dogs, very docile, and easy to train. Great with kids, and very easy going. Prone to ear issues because of the size of the ear, so keep that in check. Regular ear cleaning is a must or it will lead to infection.

I agree with it all. Most of what was mentioned we are doing, with the exception of the pee pads. We only use those when we have to. We are both gone during the day and she is too young for us to leave her in the yard yet. I try to get to her at night to let her out but sometimes we don't get up... having a pad is all we can off her at those times. I understand it possibly will confuse her and delay training, but it's all we can do in those situations. She is making small progress. She's starting to head to the door sometimes when she needs to go and does a lot of sniffing around... noticing those little things helps us get her out in time (most of the time). I know seeing a picture of her won't help answer anything... but she sure is cute :)

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Its probably already been said, but she could be having a urinary tract infection. Before giving up all hope, I'd get her checked over good by a vet.

She's adorable! Love her colors.

I do agree that she could have a UTI, but like I said before, a 10 week old puppy pottying multiple times a day, isn't abnormal. By all means mention it at her next immunization visit, but unless she's actually showing signs of a UTI, I wouldn't make a separate appointment at this time. But it's your call.

One thing that may help with overnight and during the day. Don't leave water out all day long. Remove the water an hour before you leave for the day, and an hour before bed time. Make sure to take her for a potty break right before you go to work, and right before bed. That may help keep her dry.

But, I also have to mention that at her age she cannot be left in a crate for a normal work day. The rule is 1 hour for every month of age. So at her age she shouldn't be in the crate longer than 1.5 hours during the day. You can push that to 2 hours, but no more than that.

I'd canvass the neighborhood, find a retired neighbor, or stay at home mom, that can come over and relieve her during the day. Just a quick jaunt outside for a pee and poo, a bit of affection, and then back in the crate.

When we got Rascal (my now 3 year old border collie) I was working. He was 8 weeks old when we got him. I came home during my coffee breaks, and my lunch break, to take him out for a pee and poo. That's what you have to do with a puppy. It's really not an option, and I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but if this isn't possible, then you probably shouldn't have gotten a puppy, you should have looked at adopting an older dog.

I have to say this HH, but any dog I have ever house broken, I was absolutely diligent all night long. As soon as there was any indication, out they went, no matter what time, no matter what the weather. All my dogs were well house broken.

But I know it is difficult if you are both working a full day, but it has to be done.

Puppies do pee a lot.. but the OP said that she will potty outside several times than come in and potty. That to me says UTI. Having even the slightest infection can make house training a nightmare. I would take the pup in as soon as you can for this problem. It could be nothing. But than again it could be the whole reason as to why this is difficult.

But on the other side of this... My bulldog was VERY difficult to house train. The trainers all say that house training is both physical and mental.. my poor boy was both. He did get scolded firmly for pottying in the house... acting like nothing is wrong did not work with him. Maybe you need to be more stern.

I'm trying to let her know we're not happy when she does it in the house. By nature Cockers are sensitive and I want to be careful with that. We usually give her a stern "no" and take her out right in the middle of the act. She also gets excited easily (as puppies do)... and with two little girls also in the home it's darn near impossible to keep a calm house. We are seeing a little progress however, but it's a LONG shot from being done. We might get her in to the vet this coming week just double checking the UTI.

My beagle would pee multiple times. I'd take him out for a pee, he'd pee 3 times in 5 minutes and still come inside to pee again. The vets explanation was that he was saving it to mark his territory. When we go for a walk he will pee on every bush he sees, every fire hydrant, every light post, everything he finds. He just lets a few drops out a time on each item. Then, when we're getting close to home, he'll let it all out. But as a puppy he saved it and then went back inside, and then he'd pee inside because he still had to pee, even though he had peed 3 times outside. If that makes sense.

I really don't think this is a UTI, but none of us can examine your dog, not even a vet can do that online, especially for a UTI. If you're concerned that this may be the case, then go to the vet. Goodness knows I've been wrong before. :)

But, even if she does have a UTI, that doesn't change the fact that she's a 10 week old puppy, and at her age she will need to potty a lot, and training will be a slow process. Like I said before, her bladder really won't be grown enough to hold it for long, until she's at least 4 months of age, so just continue the training, and be patient. She'll get there. :)

Thanks Alty... what your vet told does sound a lot like what we are experiencing. We'll give her some more time and see how she advances. I'm sure she's going to do just fine.

She's adorable! A UTI is possible, but as I said above, I have a now 15 week Catahoula Leopard puppy, she's mixed with boxer. She would do the same thing, go outside and potty, then come in an moments later potty again. We did take her to the vet, not strictly for that but shots, worming and a general check up. No UTI. Vet said they have a tiny bladder at this age and can go numerous times if they don't completely empty their bladder outside.

She now stays outside for 10-15 minutes per potty break, and we haven't had an accident in 3 days. She stays in her crate all night with no interruptions after having a fun roughhousing session followed by a potty break before bedtime. Her crate is her paradise. We frequently find her up there just "resting" on her little bed. At night when my daughter (20) is ready for bed she just says "Rose, it's bedtime, let's go to your room" and Rose runs up and jumps in her crate.

Your baby will get there too. Just remember that she is a baby and this is a learning curve for her.

My last big loveable dog Taffy, who I had from five weeks old (she was a rescue) until she was l5, loved her crate and used it for naps throughout the day without the door closed of course. It was her safe haven from the cares of the household I guess. May she rest in peace.

She potty trained in an instant, at times going out in a snow storm to have a pee !

Just to update. She did have some issues with a UTI, however that's all cleared up. She is a submissive urinator and also very excitable. Keeping that in mind she does really well now when eased into us coming home or playing with her. For the most part we now consider our Belle potty trained with the exception of a few accidents here and there 😊

Just to update. She did have some issues with a UTI, however that's all cleared up. She is a submissive urinator and also very excitable. Keeping that in mind she does really well now when eased into us coming home or playing with her. For the most part we now consider our Belle potty trained with the exception of a few accidents here and there 😊

That's great news. Just keep at the training, the reinforcement of good behavior. It takes some dogs longer to potty train than others. I've had dogs that got it 2 days after we brought them home, and others that took 6 months or more. It all depends on the dog. :)