Tuesday Training Tip Number 11. Indoor potty training advice.

    Hi I adopted a mini-dachshound 2 weeks ago, I'm going crazy with trying to pad train. I live in a high rise building. She does her business all over the carpet and has not used the several

pads I have around. I won't be taking her out much just when I feel like it.  Help did I just make a mistake? She is adorable, red dapple. I like her a lot, wish I could figure this out. - Gayle

    First of all, I would like to clarify that having multiple pads all over the house does not help your puppy learn where to go.  It seems helpful, but really, it is very confusing for dogs.  If there are multiple pads ending up in different places it will be incredibly hard for her to learn where she is and isn't supposed to do her business. 

Supplies:

Potty pads. 

Potty attractant.  Some potty pads come with attractant in them.  If not, you should buy a spray and spray it onto the pads to make her interested in using them.

Deodorizing product.  Use a special product to deter dogs from re-soiling where they have gone before.   Dogs have a tendency to do their business where they have previously if they can smell it.  So whenever they have an accident, make sure the smell is fully eliminated.   Here is an example. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=1092

Step 1.  Decide where her one "potty spot" will be.  It is up to YOU and not her where her potty spot will be.  When you decide where she will go, it is potty training.  When you put pad wherever you catch her going, it is giving up.  

Things to consider:  Placing her pads on linoleum or tile will be better than carpet.  It will be easier for her to distinguish the edge of the pad from the ground.  And also, if her aim is off it will be easier to clean the floor.  Past that, it is up to you.  Some places are less desirable given the "yuck factor".  For example, the kitchen, by the bed, or by the door.  In my opinion the best place is the bathroom if that works for you.

   Keep in mind that pad training her will probably take longer than training a dog to go outside.  The difference is harder for her to realize.  But I'm sure she will get it with time if you are consistent in using a good method.  When you first start you should put a few pads in her potty area so it is about 4' x 4'.

Step 2.  Decide what training method you will use.   You have the option of confinement training or crate training.  With crate training you will probably see results quicker but this will only work well if you are home a lot.  Confinement training is great for if you are away at work or you don't wish to purchase a crate.  However, it might take a little bit longer for her to get the idea.   

Confinement Training.  You will confine her to a small area that has her potty area and a small other area with food, water, and bed.   This is where having the potty area in the bathroom is very helpful because you can just keep her in the bathroom while she is learning.  If her potty area is somewhere else you can close off the area with an exercise pen or baby gates.  She will stay in this area unless you are watching her.  She should be in here after waking up, eating, or drinking.  When you let her out of this area you should start by taking her into it every 15 min and keeping her in there for about 5 min.  As time goes on and she gets better your visits can be further apart and eventually she will go to her potty place on her own.  Whenever you leave the house she should be in here until she can be home all day without having accidents.

Crate Training.  For crate training she will start out in the crate most of the time.  She will sleep in the crate and be in the crate whenever you are not supervising her.  Dogs almost never soil their sleeping place unless the crate is too big and she creates a separate potty place inside.  Whenever she comes out of her crate you will take her straight to her potty area until she does her business.  Since you will probably want her to be out often you will have to be very attentive and take her to her potty place a lot.

Correction and praise during potty training.  The reason I have stressed so much that you have to be with your puppy whenever she is loose in the house is that you can only correct your dog correctly when you are present when she has an accident.  If you are watching when she has an accident, say "NO" loudly and firmly and take her to her potty place.  If you notice later that she has had an accident there is nothing you can do.  Trying to discipline her or stuffing her nose into it will not do any good.  Every accident that she gets away with, when you cannot correct her, will influence her.  Try to be around when she goes on her pads.  When she does praise her profusely and offer her special treats that she only gets for peeing on her pads.

    Lastly, she should go for walks.  Because she is small and young doesn't mean she doesn't need exercise.  Taking her on walks will help her overall behavior, intelligence, and mental health and make training easier.