[Wondergirl]

clean up would be a lot easier than grass.

That's why I have cats and not dogs. Yay scoopable litter!

[Wondergirl]

I'm really trying to figure out how to defuse the idea that the crate is also a toilet space.

Hmmm, a bigger crate for now with a sawdust litter box in part of it? Would that work? Or would you be perpetuating the problem? And he probably would lie down on the poop in the sawdust.

This is all new to him with the sawdust outdoors. Give it more time. Let him grow up some more and get used to the new system.

[Alty]

Hmmm, a bigger crate for now with a sawdust litter box in part of it? Would that work? Or would you be perpetuating the problem? And he probably would lie down on the poop in the sawdust.

This is all new to him with the sawdust outdoors. Give it more time. Let him grow up some more and get used to the new system.

That would make matters worse. You'd be training him to poop in the crate, which is the exact opposite of what we want here.

It's only been a day. Give him time to learn that crate time is den time, not potty time. Remember, you're dealing with 10 weeks of training teaching him to potty where he sleeps, you're not going to change that training over night, it's going to take time, patience, consistency, repetition and a lot of praise when he does the right thing. When he poops in his den, a firm no, and take him outside. If you catch him pooping, grab him mid poop or pee and rush him outside. He hasn't yet figured out that his new owner doesn't want him pooping where he sleeps, like the last owner did.

[enigmom]

My husband and I have been alternating sleeping close to the crate at night in our family room. Wouldn't that have the same effect as having the crate in the bedroom? He seems to just cry all night. Though, last night, I decided leave him to fuss for a while. He eventually settled (30 min of crying) and was still quiet for several hours until I took him out for another potty break. When I put him back into the crate the second time, he seemed to fuss for a shorter period. I guess I didn't get to him soon enough in the early morning, though. He had an accident in the crate.

I may try the same thing tonight -- not sleeping with him.

Posting a pic.

[Wondergirl]

That would make matters worse. You'd be training him to poop in the crate, which is the exact opposite of what we want here.

That's why I said (not being a dog person) -- " Or would you be perpetuating the problem? And he probably would lie down on the poop in the sawdust.

This is all new to him with the sawdust outdoors. Give it more time. Let him grow up some more and get used to the new system."

[Wondergirl]

Posting a pic.

OMG!! I want a Newfie!!

[Alty]

My husband and I have been alternating sleeping close to the crate at night in our family room. Wouldn't that have the same effect as having the crate in the bedroom? He seems to just cry all night. Though, last night, I decided leave him to fuss for a while. He eventually settled (30 min of crying) and was still quiet for several hours until I took him out for another potty break. When I put him back into the crate the second time, he seemed to fuss for a shorter period of time. I guess I didn't get to him soon enough in the early morning, though. He had an accident in the crate.

I may try the same thing tonight -- not sleeping with him.

Posting a pic.

He's adorable. What a little fuzz ball. :)

If he settled better without you being there, then that's your ticket. Most puppies settle better when they're in the same room as their pack (you're now his pack), but your pup may be one of the rare ones that won't settle unless he's alone. Whatever works, it's just a matter of finding out what works. :)

Every night will get easier. He'll learn that the crate means it's time to settle, and sleep. He just needs time to figure out that's what the crate is for. Some dogs take longer than others. I bet you that in a week, he'll be used to his crate, and won't be as fussy.

The one reason I really like having the crate in my room is that I can hear the puppy whine when he needs to go out. They don't give a lot of warning at this age, it's whine, and then potty. The sooner you can get to them, the better. If they're in another room, it can take some time before you hear them, and it can cause accidents to happen much easier.

During the day you may want to try the tether technique. Get a long leash, tie it around your waist, and attach the puppy to the other end. That way he goes where you go, and any time he starts to potty, you're there to immediately scoop him up and take him outside. That technique works very well, but can be a bit time consuming and tedious. But, it will train your puppy quicker.

[enigmom]

Thanks sooo much for all the helpful advice and support. I'm sure the little guy is trying very hard to figure out what he's supposed to do, and it's my job to try to find the ways to make it clearer - with a consistent schedule, consistent commands, consistent rewards, and redirection of accidents whenever possible. It doesn't seem like he got the "preparatory" instruction at his last place, but he seems pretty smart, so I'm sure he'll catch on.

Thanks again.

[Alty]

Thanks sooo much for all the helpful advice and support. I'm sure the little guy is trying very hard to figure out what he's supposed to do, and it's my job to try to find the the ways to make it clearer - with a consistent schedule, consistent commands, consistent rewards, and redirection of accidents whenever possible. It doesn't seem like he got the "preparatory" instruction at his last place, but he seems pretty smart, so I'm sure he'll catch on.

Thanks again.

You're more than welcome. It's always a pleasure to help someone that obviously wants the best for their dog, and is willing to do everything it takes to make it happen.

If you need any more advice, we're here, and we'd love updates on how the little guy is doing. He's a cutie, and he's going to be huge. I know you're going to have lots of fun with him, and the puppy stage and all the stuff that goes with it, will soon be a memory. Enjoy this time, it goes by so very fast. :)

[enigmom]

If anybody's wondering what a litter box for a dog looks like... here it is.

He's taken to the box quite well. Though I still don't understand how it happens that I take him out for his business several times in a short span of time, then 5 min after walking back into the house, he has an accident of #1 or #2. The poop is definitely easier to intercept because of the circling, semi-squat position... the quick squirt on the floor, that's another matter! Anyway, I figure if he's doing his business in the right place 8 times out of 10, we're on the right track.

We think we'll let him use the sawdust and scoop just like cat litter. We'll be down to the grass fairly quickly and just leave the frame there as the designated area.

[Wondergirl]

If anybody's wondering what a litter box for a dog looks like...here it is.

You might have a million-dollar idea here for people who've bought pups from puppy mills and backyard breeders.

[Alty]

If he's doing 8 out of 10 times, that's wonderful for a 10 week old puppy. Poo training is definitely easier than pee training. It's easy to see when a puppy is about to poo, but pee, it just happens too quickly, with no real clues before it does.

You're on the right track, and soon his body will catch up with what he's expected to do. :)

[enigmom]

If he's doing 8 out of 10 times, that's wonderful for a 10 week old puppy. Poo training is definitely easier than pee training. It's easy to see when a puppy is about to poo, but pee, it just happens too quickly, with no real clues before it does.

You're on the right track, and soon his body will catch up with what he's expected to do. :)

Well, I think he's a pretty smart pup. He's very good at walking through the sawdust when I say "Go, potty!" and then sitting on the grass, looking at me and asking, "Where's my treat." Of course, I say performance first, buddy. My previous Newf didn't like the heat or the rain, when I let her out the door in those conditions and said "Go, potty!", she'd do a two nano second squat and trot back to the house as though she were done. I also had to tell her "No, go. Do your business. Rain or shine." Silly doggies.