I'm posting here out of sheer desperation really ^^
I've read loads of forums and advice on this, but I've tried everything and I'd really like to get your take on it.
Just over a month ago, I got a little Ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and I absolutely adore her.
She's very bright and within just a month she already knows all the basic commands (sit, in your bed, fetch, no...)
The problem is that since we got her, she hasn't done a single wee or poo outside! We've tried everything: taking her out every hour, walking her for 5 or 6 hours to try and force it, we even tried puppy training spray, but nothing works. She holds it in while we're out and then does her business the second we get home!
We live on the 4th floor without a lift, but that doesn't stop us from taking her out 10 times a day if we have to. However, we don't have a garden, so it's a bit more of a trek.
Lots of people tell me she's too young (she's nearly 4 months old), or that I should give her loads of praise when she goes outside, but she never goes outside so I can't exactly praise her! Long walks don't help either... anyway, if you can give me some answers or advice, I'd really appreciate it because my partner and I are at our wits' end^^
Just so you know, we've got puppy pads at home, which she uses about 1 in 4 times, and she refuses to poo in the same spot she wees, so it's already quite a struggle.
Thanks in advance!!!
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Yes, she’s relaxed when we take her out, and she enjoys herself because we play with her. We take her to a big park nearby with different surfaces (sand, grass, or concrete). We can’t let her off-lead because when she gets spooked, she still has a reflex to bolt, which makes us a bit nervous.
Try changing locations. Concrete and sand are a bit much. That environment is useful for desensitising her to those surfaces (if needed), but it’s completely useless for house-training.
At three months and a bit, a Cavalier King Charles... Look, I don’t know how fit you are, but it seems to me that such a tiny dog with a lead trailing on the ground is, for all intents and purposes, impossible to lose if she's off-lead. Actually, this is the best time for you to get used to the idea (this is more about you, honestly, because a puppy that age is bound to follow you) of letting her off the lead. She’s a tiny, clumsy little thing, weighing 7 to 9 lbs at most.
Failing that, try using a long line to give her some space.
During these walks in nature (avoid concrete as it’s useless, and sand too—dogs don't like to do their business in sand), just follow your dog. Don't dictate the pace. This dog needs to:
1. Learn to pick up the scent of urine, whether it’s her own or from other dogs.
2. Build up her confidence; gain the courage to leave her own scent nearby.
3. Develop preferences for certain spots to have a poo.
4. It all comes down to confidence—she needs to build her confidence up.
Interrupting the flow of these walks will really slow down the process.
Keep going back to that same spot.
Mark and reward as soon as the pup does her business.
Right, I’m coming to you all out of sheer desperation ^^
I’ve read loads of forums and replies regarding my situation, but having exhausted every solution, I’d love to get your advice.
Just over a month ago, I got a little Ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who I absolutely adore by the way. She’s very bright and after just a month, she already knows all the basic commands (sit, go to your bed, fetch, no...).
The problem is that since we’ve had her, she hasn’t done a single wee or poo outside! Not once! We’ve tried everything: taking her out every hour, walking her for 5 or 6 hours to try and force it, we've even tried puppy training spray, but nothing works. She holds it in while she's out and then relieves herself the second we get back home!
We live on the 4th floor with no lift, but that doesn't stop us from taking her out 10 times a day if we have to. However, we don't have a garden, so it takes a bit longer.
Lots of people tell me she’s too young (she’s nearly 4 months old), or that I should give her loads of praise when she goes outside, but she never goes outside, so I can't praise her! Long walks don't seem to help... anyway, if you can give me any answers, help, or advice, I’d really appreciate it because my partner and I are at our wits' end ^^
Just so you know, at home she has a puppy pad which she uses about a quarter of the time, and she refuses to poo in the same spot she wees, so it’s already a bit of a nightmare.
Thanks in advance!!!
Hi there, did you manage to sort the problem out in the end? I’m having the exact same issue... if you could let me know how it was resolved, it might give me some ideas...
Thanks
Find a spot where you can let her off the lead; that would be really good.
I also think that’s the root of the problem. It’s as if she can’t quite make the outside space her own. It suggests an issue with her rhythm and her being uncomfortable on the lead.
My dog likes to have a bit of space to do her business. I even make an effort not to look at her. Apart from having a wee, she never goes when she’s on the lead.
Hi there,
Make the most of the nice weather (and the mild temperatures... assuming it’s actually warm where you are; remember, she’s a Cavalier, not a Husky!) and plan to spend a whole day (from morning until evening) outdoors with your puppy in a secure garden (at a relative’s or friend’s house) rather than a park. At four months old, she won't be able to hold it all day anyway. When she does her business, give her lots of happy praise the very second she does it (and I mean immediately!) and give her a very generous reward.
And as mentioned above: get rid of the puppy pads. If she has an accident indoors, a firm "no" is enough (there’s no need to scold her in a deep, booming voice) and take her outside straight away.
Just be patient and consistent with your reactions; there will still be the odd accident...
You could try using the walk itself as a reward for her doing a wee. Try to work out the typical gap between wees, and when you think it’s about time, take her out but stay in one spot. Find somewhere you can sit quietly with a book, and you could even bring her puppy pad along if she sometimes uses one. Just get settled and wait. As soon as she goes, give her plenty of praise and then off you go on your walk. Crucially, once she starts going outside, don’t head straight back indoors; you don’t want her to associate doing a wee with the end of the walk. Hang in there, she’s still very small—it’s perfectly normal for a puppy not to be fully house-trained before they’re four months old.
Puppy training pads only delay toilet training. Your puppy just can't wrap their head around it at this stage. Is she supposed to go inside or outside?? Ultimately, she doesn't really understand what you’re trying to achieve.
When you take her out, is she relaxed? Does she enjoy herself? What kind of surfaces are you taking her on? Can she go off-lead to have a good sniff around? Does she get to spend time with doggy friends? Has she had a scare at any point while out and about? Are you relaxed yourself, or are you putting pressure on her?
Well, yes, when we take her out she’s relaxed and enjoys herself because we play with her. We take her to a big park near us which has various surfaces (sand, grass and pavement). We can't let her off-lead yet because if she gets spooked, she still has a reflex to just bolt, so we're a bit worried about that. We meet plenty of other dogs and she isn't scared, except for huge ones like wolfdogs where she does tend to back away. And you're right, on her very first day out, a Goldie barked at her from behind a gate and she had the fright of her life. But since then, we've shown her she has nothing to worry about and she isn't scared of other dogs anymore.
And finally, there's no pressure at all when we take her out; she can take as long as she likes. Being out for an hour isn't a problem, we just wander through the park with her. They're lovely moments, really – we aren't there to rush her, that’s not the point.
Right, I think I've answered everything! I hope you can help me.
