Toilet Training
This is where we get strict with them. But as with everything, we are stricter now so we can give them much more freedom later. While they are still a puppy they will be spending most of their time in their crate or out on their house line. It sounds like a lot of time in their bed but puppies can sleep anywhere up to 18-20 hours a day, and the crate should be in the same room as you most of the time so they won't be lonely if they can smell and hear that you are there.
A good rule to follow while they are still young is that they can hold their bladder for 1 hour per month old +1. So, if your puppy is 3 months old their maximum is 4 hours. We take a puppy outside any time they have just woken up, eaten, had a drink or if we can't remember when the last time they went out was. It's best to be safe if you are unsure and give them a try.
Stay neutral when you first take them outside, and remain focused on the task at hand. Keeping them away from distractions when you go out is a lot easier when using the house line. Think of it as the first steps to teaching them to walk on a lead. If they get too interested in smelling something rather than going to the toilet we just gently lead them away. When they have gone outside we mark that behaviour with lots of praise and petting. They have done a good job and you are so happy about it! This is the message and energy you are going to show them every time they go outside.
Adding a trigger
While outside with them we can add a vocal trigger to let them know what it is time for. Think of it as asking a child to have a try. When they are starting to go we can start to say the command we would like to use, common ones are 'hurry up' or 'ones and twos'. Then we mark with a reward.
Over time they will associate it with the action, as they do with all their trigger words.
Accidents happen
Even with the best structure in the world there is always the chance of accidents. When these happen, remember they are our fault- not the dog's. We didn't set them up for success on that occasion but that means we can make adjustments so it doesn't happen again. We don't punish the puppy, although we should vocally correct if we catch them in the act before quickly taking them outside to finish what they started. Sometimes it's too late though, and so we clean up the mess and take them outside in case they have more to do and then we reward them for going outside. They have still done a good thing we want them to repeat.
Never rub their nose in it. It's cruel and goes against our fear and pain free methods.
Example daily structure
This is an example of the daily structure we used when Conker was 10 weeks old. We would write out a new sheet roughly each week with goals, reminders, and the new appropriate structure for his stage of development. The timings of this were based around our work commitments as well as being appropriate for Conker as an individual. As an adult he does not have accidents in the house because this is how he started his life, and now he has the freedom to choose where and when he wants to sleep. This is not how long an adult dog should spend in a crate- please get in touch if you want some specific guidance on building an appropriate routine for you and your pup.
7.30-8.00
Toilet
Engagement - walk/follow, call name
High energy - Tug, drop, recall. Sit and settle between bursts.
Breakfast from hand while settling on the bed, or in the crate
Take bowl/kong away at least once, sit and wait for a second, give back when polite
Toilet
Sleep in crate until
10.30-10.50
Toilet
Low energy engagement and value building- his name, yes, following a treat in the hand, on your bed, wait, stay, handling collar, touch feet/ears/teeth/back end
Toilet
Sleep in crate until
1.30-2.00
Toilet
Engagement and high energy play- tug, drop, sit, wait, resume.
Lunch on bed or in crate (frozen kong)
Toilet
Chew toys and sleep in crate until
4.30-4.50
Toilet
Engagement and high energy play to spend beans, leading to settling on a bed with a chew toy
Toilet
7.30-bedtime
Toilet
Engagement
Play- tug, drop, settle, resume
Wind down with dinner, food from hand- on your bed, settle. Taking food gently, building value of his name, yes, good boy.
Toilet
Chew time in crate or on bed with house line on
Sofa cuddles
Toilet
Sleep in crate until morning
