Hi, I have a 2-month-old puppy. She was raised by her mother; in her previous home, she used to go on a puppy pad indoors or in the garden when they opened the door for her.
Nowadays, we take her out and wait a VERY LONG TIME, but as soon as she comes back in, she does her business. We tell her off when we catch her and praise her when she goes outside. Now, she almost always goes indoors in various spots. We take her out regularly after meals, when she wakes up... but she still waits until she's inside. She's very demanding, whines a lot and is constantly seeking attention.
Does anyone have any advice for me? I'm at my wit's end.
Thanks for your help!
Translated from French
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At 2 months old, a puppy isn't able to hold it in – it’s just physiological, as they have very little control over their bladder and bowels at that age. You need to take them out every couple of hours, but also after they've played, had a drink, eaten, or woken up from a nap. You’ve got to keep a close eye on them, and as soon as they start to go, scoop them up – even if they’re mid-flow – and get them outside. And most importantly, make sure you keep praising them when they do their business outside.
Try to avoid cleaning up in front of them, and definitely don't use bleach. More importantly, stop telling them off – it’s completely counterproductive. To a pup, it just looks like a human barking at them, so they often take it as encouragement, and they’ll just end up confused the day you finally lose your patience and get properly cross with them. It’s much better to remain calm and silent.
Besides, you’re bound to have the odd little accident until they’re about 4 months old, and sometimes even a bit longer; it’s perfectly normal.
Thanks for the advice, but I don't think it's a case of her not being able to hold it. We stay outside for ages, but she just goes as soon as we get back in...
I agree, we've actually taken the rugs up because she kept having accidents on them!
Thanks a lot!
Thanks for the advice, but I reckon it’s not really a case of her holding it in or not, as we stay outside for ages but then she just does her business the moment we get back in... I agree, we’ve taken the rugs up because she kept having accidents on them! Thanks a lot!
First tip: stop telling her off. It makes about as much sense as scolding a baby for wetting their nappy; she’s only a baby herself, and she can’t help it if she doesn't have a nappy on to stop her making a mess.
Second tip: teaching her to go on puppy pads was a mistake—that’s how she learned that it’s okay to go indoors.
Third tip: keep taking her out every 2 hours, as well as after every meal, nap, and play session. Keep praising her when she goes outside, and you could even try taking her out with other dogs who can show her the ropes. Don’t tell her off when she has an accident inside; just clean it up while ignoring her, and avoid using bleach as it’s toxic and the smell actually makes them want to go in the same spot again.
Most importantly, be patient: she probably won’t be fully house-trained for several months. It isn’t a question of willpower but rather her physical ability to hold it in, so she genuinely can’t help it. It’s vital to keep that in mind.
One extra note: for her mum to have "finished" her early training, you really should have waited at least another 2 weeks before picking up this little fluffball. At 2 months old, it’s just a bit too early. 🙂
