Freeper help needed! What's the best way to "house/potty train" a pup Cocker Spaniel?

June 3, 2005 | tame

[tame]

I know this is the ultimate vanity, but i'm getting DESPERATE here.

I'm trying to help a friend house train her new pup so he doesn't ruin her carpets, but we're having a little trouble with success.

I really hate to interrupt a big news weekend, what with "Deep Throat" and all, but i've got a little pup achin' for the nickname "Deep Stain"!

Seriously, any freeper dog experts who can help out on this? Thanks.

[RandallFlagg]

Just kidding. Good luck with the pooch.

[goldstategop]

Crate her. And when puppy needs to go, introduce her to a litter box. Eventually she'll get where she's supposed to conduct her business. Its a little harder than training a cat but it can be done.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[tame]

HELP!

[Hornet19]

Tell you friend to get an appropriate size crate. Get the dog used to the crate as it's own space. Gradually increase the time the dog spends in the crate and when the dog starts to act like it might need to go then take it outside. The dog will not mess in the area it considers it's bed/shelter.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not cruel to crate train a dog. The dog will actually claim the crate as it's own. We have 5 dogs and it has worked great for each one.

Hope that helps.

[SoftballMominVA]

Is she using a crate? That is how we trained ours. Puppies typically wont "go" in their sleeping area. 2 hours in the crate, out for pottie, out of crate for an hour, in crate for 2 hours, repeat until trained.

[FreeperinRATcage]

Box/Crate training.

Dogs won't soil where they sleep. Keep the pup in an open box or crate he can't climb out of whenever no one is home and overnight. Immediately upon returning home or awakening, take the dog out the door you want him to go to when he has to answer natures call and let him out.

If he has an accident while you are with him, scold him immediately and take him out the same door. As he starts going to the door on his own, praise him lavishly, but do NOT give him treats.

Good luck :) Rememberm its not the dog that needs trained, but the owner. The pup will be as consistant as you are.

[alicewonders]

The best way is to take the puppy out on a regular schedule, one that fits YOUR schedule. You will have an accident or two, but once the puppy gets used to the times you have set for him, he will be conditioned to go out at those times. You will figure out quickly how often he needs to go.

A good carpet steamer doesn't hurt to have on hand too...

[MJY1288]

Always keep the dog on a short leash. Put the dogs bed near something you can tie the leash to, and the Dog will whine before it potties where it has to sleep

[tame]

ouch! lol

[TexasTaysor]

I found out the hard way that spanking a cocker does not work. The best way to house break any puppy seems to be kenneling all day except for trips outside about every hour or two for them to potty and get the idea of what going outside at these times is for. This usually only takes about 3 days.

Then they usually don't need to be kenneled, but still taken outside on a regular time schedule until they are old enough to go out on their own through an opening (open door or doggy door), or ask to go out when they need to.

[AnAmericanMother]

1. Get a crate. Get one that will fit the dog as an adult, then reduce the size for the pup. There are crates with dividers for that purpose.

2. Get a book on crate training. Use it. A puppy is very reluctant to soil his small "den".

3. Walk that puppy twice during the night. Give him very little to drink right before bedtime.

Another point - cockers tend to submissively urinate. You can't discipline them for peeing, they'll just pee more. If you see him sniffing and circling, snatch him up and take him out the door, then praise him for doing his business outside.

Try that and see if it helps. Crate training really worked for my Lab.

[RandallFlagg]

I need to get a doggy. I miss Skitchie.

[trisham]

Crate training is pretty effective. Make sure the crate isn't too big-the pet store people should be able to help picking out the correct size.

Spray any areas that are soiled with "Nature's Miracle" to help keep the pup from using them again.

Puppies need to go out every few hours, 24 hours a day. Yes, even at night. :(

Positive reinforcement is important. Puppies should not be punished for mistakes in training.

Good luck to your friend!

[Kaslin]

The worst mistake anyone can make is to paper train a puppy

[Andy'smom]

A crate is the way to go, at least for the first few months until the puppy can be trusted in the house.

[cripplecreek]

PATIENCE.

Take the dog outside on a regular basis (often) and praise it when it does it's thing.

[TnGOP]

I've had Cockers for many years. Some can be trained. I have one now that is trained very well. The others I had in the past didn't completely "get it" until they were a little older. (Over a year).

We always trained them by putting them in a kennel when not interacting with them. Take them straight from the kennel to a potty place outside. First thing in the morning, same thing. Get a routine started, and most will catch on.

It's a labor of love. Keep reminding yourself of that. If you have carpet, I suggest a small carpet cleaner/extractor. You're gonna need it! Good luck, V

[St.Mark]

The way to go is crate training. Buy a dog carrier just big enough for the adult size dog, and keep the dog in there during the night or when the owner is gone. Put the pup outside RIGHT AFTER it eats, can I make it clear enough, right after and then do not clean up the dogs feces but leave it in the spot you want the dog to go. The dog will like the crate and not soil it that way you train it to go outside only. Dogs are guided by their noses the more you let it go inside the worse it will be.

[Servant of the 9]

Cocker Spaniels are notorious for peeing on everything every time they get excited.

It's genetic, you're stuck with it.

So9