[Nerd777]

My 4 month old japanese spitz puppy is peeing and pooping all over the house. Even he poops jumping over my bed.

I've saved this puppy when it was one month old. From then, I've tried every method, but it didn't work. I tried to make him potty on the newspaper, but he didn't do regularly. Now, I am trying to make him potty outside, but even after 2 hours after meal, when we return home, he eliminates his poops. One thing I figured out, he doesn't have any potty scheme. He thinks that he can do it anywhere he wants. He doesn't also have a pees and poops schedule. Although we give him meal in regular time.

I'm getting frustrated day by day. All my family members are angry with me. I wouldn't tolerate it but I do, because I love my puppy too much.

[Wondergirl]

There is a solution, so your family will love your puppy because he will pee and poop where and when he is supposed to. We have several excellent dog experts on this site who will give you good advice. They aren't online right now, so check back now and then to see if one of them responded.

While you are here, check the stickies on the dog board, and read older threads that deal with this problem.

[Alty]

The problem seems to be that you can't decide on a schedule, or a training method.

What methods have you tried? How long have you tried them?

Let's look at this from the puppy's point of view. He's a dog, doesn't know human ways or human expectations. In a dogs world you poo when you have to poo and you pee when you have to pee. In the wild the mommy dog would take the puppies out of the den to do their business on the dirt and not in the den. After a while puppy learns that pooing in the den isn't okay. But it's learned, it's not a given.

So let's make you the puppy in your world. Let's say you don't speak human, but your "owners" do. They bring you home, you pee on the rug. They yell, they stick your nose in it, and they put you outside. You don't understand. What's with the loud voices? Why did you have to smell your own pee? You don't get it.

They do this a few times, then suddenly they put down paper. Interesting. What's that for? Are you supposed to read it, fold it, throw it away? Still no direction.

Sometimes they put you outside, other times they leave you inside with paper on the floor, you can sense that they're upset but you don't know why. You don't know what they want and they won't show you!

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Your puppy doesn't know what's expected of him. You go from one training technique to the next. This puppy is 4 months old, you've had him for 3 months, and you yourself have said that you've tried every method of potty training. It seems that you've never stuck with a method long enough for him to learn, because it can take months for puppies to catch on. But the fact that you've gone from one thing to another only has this poor pup confused.

First, no more paper. If you want your dog paper trained then you have to accept that he'll pee and poo anywhere in the house. Paper, carpet, and wood are the same thing to a dog. Inside is inside. If you want him to pee indoors then he will, anywhere he wants to.

Second, he's 4 months old. Do you work? If so, where is he while you're at work? At 4 month of age he should not be crated, or left alone, for more than 4 hours a day. In other words, he needs a potty break at least ( the very least) every 4 hours.

Third, what methods have you tried?

The only method that is worth considering is outdoor training. After you feed puppy, around 1/2 an hour after he's eaten, or had a drink, take him outside. Choose a potty word. I like "potty time". Say that word or phrase over and over while he's outside. When he does do his thing, go nuts. Praise, praise, praise, treats, it's a party! Good boy! Good job! Here's a treat. You're so good! Let him know that you approve of what he's done.

That's not the end of it. This is something that will take time, and you have to work at it for days, weeks, possibly months.

If he has an accident and you catch him at it, a firm no, then straight outside, use the potty word, and if he does his business outside, then praise. Never punishment if he has an accident. Positive reinforcement.

Some dogs catch on quicker than others. Some can take months. But if you're consistent, which you haven't been, it will happen.

Consistency. Stick to one program, and most importantly, praise, not punishment.