How do you house-train a puppy in winter?

[rom90125]

A quick update:

I worked from home on Tuesday (gotta love writing software for a living...you can do it from anywhere) and was able to take Ava outside at least once every hour to eliminate. And by gosh, she did it! There was only one indoor accident that day, and it was when the kids were 'watching' her. She still has accidents indoors (mainly on the tile, so it easy to clean up and sanitize) but we have only been working with her since Sunday.

And here she is, for your viewing pleasure.

 

[judith brison]

how do you house tran a puppy in winter?

So, we brought home our new addition to the family yesterday; a German Shepherd puppy. Thus far, Ava, as we have named her, is adjusting well to the new environment with one exception. We can not get her to take care of business when we take her outside. It is very cold here (west Michigan) and there is snow on the ground. We have cleared an area of snow in the backyard (next to the house) to make it easier for her, but she has not shown any interest thus far in using the outdoor facilities. On the other hand, she has no problem using the indoor facilities, mainly the carpet in the front room. Thankfully we own a decent carpet cleaning machine and have been right on top of things when these accidents occur.

Does anyone have any experience house-training a puppy in winter? My wife and daughter want to put Ava in a sweater before taking her out, but I see two logistical issues with this idea:
1. Getting the dog in the sweater when she has a full bladder might not be the best idea.
2. If the dog is wearing a sweater, won't that cover up the plumbing that needs to be exposed in order for the puppy to take care of business?

Hello
sounds like you have a bundle. I have had two german shepards and they were tops. They are very intelligent. My last german shepard would not go O_U_T close to house. She went out as far as she could get and this area must be kept clean once she has extablished this as her place.

It is a good idea to get some of her earlier elimination and take it to apot away from the house that is where you can tolerate this activity. Walk her around and let her sniff things and get her bearings as to mentally conditioning herslef to the idea this now her yard. Maybe she does not know yet that she can eliminate there and it be ok.

The crate is top choice with me. With a newspaper in the bottom of it. But get the size that is only as big as the pup or this is a no wonnier. They will not eliminate in the area where they live or sleep. The crate should only be as big as the pup so there is no advantage and able to manuver around to eliminate. But incase put the crate on newspapers so if the pup does try it will not be on your floor. As soon as you get home take your pup out.

I fed my later when grown at night time to get the results in the morning. Because i was going to be at work. I did not want to feed her and then have her wanting to go and having to hold it or as a pup making a mess.

Pups have to be fed twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. It takes work but you will figure when those best times are.

I never left food out. You will defeat again your trainning. Leave water out always but not food.

When you get up take pup out. Fed pup and just before wife goes to work take her out again and give her time and walk her. It takes patients because they are just learning.

Pets are just like people. If you have been in bed or not active for a while it can take you awhile to do your job.

A military working dog trainner told me to use BORAX to permanently remove all scent so they will not go back to this area in house.

I also had a law enforcement enforcement to tell me to let her sleep with me for a while. This is a bonding tool. I tried it and it worked. As we had acquired a Seymoid pup later. So they would accept each other i placed them both in my bed. The rest is history. As we were family.

Your home is new surrounding and the pup might also be marking territory to any other possible threat. A cat? or any other animal that might be considered a threat. To get to food or water dish.

Feed pup and then take up food dish. They will be ready to eat at evening meal. I have even hand fed my pup when new and talked with her to get her to eat her food. Even when she was sick and not eating and taking medicine. I hand fed her to get food into her stomach so she would not get sick from taking medicine on an empty stomach. Petting her and talking with her so she knew you were there for her and would love her and be her friend. As she was to you on her good days. and best buddy. and always praise her and clap they love this reward.


I have used BORAX dry heavily and left and then scrapped it up. Then made a paste by adding water and spread it on over the area and let it dry then scrapped it up and vacummed. Using a spoon SET A SIDE for this worked best on carpet. Through the years i found actually a spatula you use to turn eggs with worked best in cleaning the yard. It did not teear up the grass and got underneath getting the elimination and placing in a plastic bag. The scent is now established.

Have a wonderful life with your new buddy you will be rewarded. They are wonderful.

I might also tell you too that sometimes they have only one master. Females associate with females masters and males to a male master. HINT? cats can also be the same way. They will get along with everyone but there is going to be just one person they will take an order from. The person that feeds them will have priority. You might try letting the pup sleep with you both.

I have used BORAX on all furniture and carpet, etc and just left it for several days to rid of fleas in dry climate areas and the yard. It is safe for pets but i would not let them lay in it to just do an area at a time. You will learn because that pup is going to teach you and soon it will be over.

The campanion of a life time. You will be amazed to later see how very sweet and considerate they are and how very intelligent. I spelled everything to my pup and as she grew she then knew what i was saying to her and she could respond. People did not believe it but if you take care of your pets they will be with you to the end.

How i spelled the word in association with whatever it was until she knew what we were talking about. She also trainned the little laso apsa schnauzer mix that was beautiful and when she left this earth the little pup followed her steps for mommy and I could spell to the little one also.

O-U-T meant to go outside. Ears perk and are ready when you get up and when you come home from work or just getting home after being gone.

Also have something of yours that she can associate with while you are gone. A toy but not the chewy sticks, they can clog the intestine tract according to vets. This is not a shepard make up necessarily anyway.

 

[IcyCool]

We crate-trained both our little beagles, and hardly had any problems. We've also hung a string of bells on the door handle, and they jump up and ring those when they want to go outside (because the very quiet whimper they sometimes let out is really hard to hear).

One of our two dogs (the newest one) came from an abusive home, and so we've had a few more challenges training her. Any significant interruption in her routine will cause her to go right back to day one. She's been getting better and better about minor alterations in her routine, so we're hopeful that this time she's set.

Anyone have suggestions for training a formerly abused dog?

 

[Pbartender]

Anyone have suggestions for training a formerly abused dog?

Confidence training.

Our dog had similar issues. She'd been abandoned as a puppy and a shelter found her alongside a road. When we first got her, she was utterly submissive... the wrong tone of voice (even directed at someone else), or the wrong gesture would have her cringing, rolling over on her back and wetting herself.

Don't make a big deal out of that sort of behavior. That only makes it worse. Ignore it, and clean up the mess, if any.

So, we taught out dog to play (she had no idea how to play like a dog when we first got her)... Fetching, tug of war, wrestling, tag, that sort of thing, plus a few tricks... sit, stay, lay down and so on. Finally, we gave her a "job" -- keeping the cat out of trouble.

Now, she's an obedient, loyal, loving dog. She takes pride in playing a good game (prancing about a bit, when she catches her toy squirrel or wins at tug of war), or when she's doing her "job" (looking to us with a wagging tail if she catches the cat on the dinner table and chases him off).

She'll still have an occasional problem, but only in the most stressful of situations.

 

[judith brison]

We crate-trained both our little beagles, and hardly had any problems. We've also hung a string of bells on the door handle, and they jump up and ring those when they want to go outside (because the very quiet whimper they sometimes let out is really hard to hear).

One of our two dogs (the newest one) came from an abusive home, and so we've had a few more challenges training her. Any significant interruption in her routine will cause her to go right back to day one. She's been getting better and better about minor alterations in her routine, so we're hopeful that this time she's set.

Anyone have suggestions for training a formerly abused dog?

it depends on the age of the pet and also male or female? what the abuse was which they suffered. i would detrain the idea of the pets past. replacing it with other things and consistancy so they know that whatever was is no longer. lots of hugs and talking time. pets love to know they are included in your family conversations too. when you get to know your pet you will start seeing that smile and happiness. if you know how the pet first was abuse is a starter and then to do the opposite. Tone of voice and not getting upset when they do something wrog but at the same time do not let them get away with it either. they have a new name and they are having to adjust to the new name and when they realize that that name is meant to be them they will better respond. years ago the techniqe was to also place a leash or rope around the neck of the pup. so that when you give the command by calling their name they will come to you. Ex: if under furniture call their name and tug on the leash or rope and then prase them so they see that this was good. reward food are not necessary. just a good praise and petting them . I found a correction to alot of things i think by doing what a law enforcement whom had two huge caine told me to do which worked. let them sleep with you. it is a bonding you will see and alot of change almost immediately. it is not a thing some people like to do but i am telling you he was right.

hand feed your pet if there is a problem in food. i even used moist canned food at the beginning and hand feed. getting her to come to me and she could smell it and responded. then pet them and talk with them they love to know they are beautiful too. it takes special people and special pets to make the most out of all of us. some movie stars came from a city kennel.
don't worry and just be a friend and they will catch on with your consistancy.