Suddenly stopped being house trained overnight

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Cigogneepique9247 Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

We’ve adopted a puppy, an American Shepherd; he’s 2 months and 6 days old today and we’ve had him since he was 2 months and 1 day old. So, this is his 5th night with us. We managed to get him to go for a wee and a poo outside quite easily; he was almost house trained and, most importantly, had never had an accident during the night (we were getting up with him). Today, I was quite surprised because he’s had two wees during the day and a wee and a poo during the night. We found it really strange – have we done something wrong? Is it normal at this age to be 'spot on' for 3-4 days and then 'regress' on the 5th?

Thanks everyone

Translated from French
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    Snaraellora17 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hello

    Such a common question...

    At 2 months old, there is no set routine yet. It’s a learning phase that is:

    • difficult and overwhelming for the owner

    • not exactly easy for the dog either

    It’s up to you to support them through this period.

    My advice remains the same. Observe them and keep a diary of their days: rest, meal details, toilet breaks, the quality of their poo, and any accidents.

    This is the method that allowed me to stay on top of things.

    Good luck.

    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, It’s completely normal. House training isn't a linear process; there will be ups and downs. Your puppy is still very young, so it’s going to take a bit of time for them to be fully toilet trained. One thing you can do to reinforce their learning is to reward your pup whenever they do their business outside. It’s also a good idea to get them used to going on different surfaces, such as hard ground (concrete, paving, etc.) as well as grass. Some dogs find it hard to understand that they can go anywhere other than on the grass. Also, avoid telling them off if you find an accident in the house after the fact. Your dog won't understand that they're being scolded for that reason. However, if they start going in front of you, you can stop them and give a gentle reprimand (raising your voice slightly is enough), then take them straight outside and reward them if they finish up there. This could be verbal praise (using a high-pitched, happy voice), a fuss, some playtime, or a bit of dry food or a treat. Best of luck with your new companion! Best wishes, Laura
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    Kikaah
    Kikaah Icon representing the flag French
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    Yes, it’s completely normal for there to be ups and downs; he won't be house-trained straight away. Maximise the toilet breaks and give him plenty of praise. And don’t scold him if there’s an accident. Just be patient.
    Translated from French

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