[Jax's Mom]

Hi,

I am new to the forum and new to Golden's.

We have a Golden Retriever puppy, Jax. He is now 6 months old, and we have had him since he is 3 months old. When we adopted Jax, we lived in an apartment, so going out was harder than just opening the door. We decided to paper train. No...we did not crate train. Barking was an issue with the landlord, so crating was not an option. We now live in a house and we are taking him out regularly to do his business in the yard. My husband has been home for the past few months so we were hoping we'd be finished training by now. The poos seem to be under control. Since he poos after he eats, its pretty simple. He does continue to pee on the wee wee pads thoough, even though we take him out at least every two hours during the day. He is fine at night, never having an accident.

What I don't understand, is why does he have to go so frequently during the day? He is already older, and he seems to be able to hold it at night. Do I limit how much water is available during the day? Making it available after meals then taken up? I do not want to harm my puppy at all, physically or emotionally, I'm just looking for suggestions. Let me say he is doing much better....but still having some accidents (on the wee wee pad) once or twice a day.

My added concern....we are adding another Golden to the mix this weekend. She is a 3 month old. How should we go about training her without having Jax go backwards, or is it impossible. I am ready to deal with whatever happens and honestly don't blame Jax...I blame myself and hubby for not doing something right....whatever it is. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SheetsSM]

It's never too late to crate train.

If you have the pads down when you bring your new pup home, I suspect you'll have 2 large dogs using the pads--not something I would be too keen about cleaning up daily. In order to wean off your current boy, perhaps try moving the pads to the door and then put a pad outside? Just my 2 cents.

 

[lgnutah]

As I understand it, the pads are still in your house? (if I understand right, this is because you want them there to prevent your dog from peeing elsewhere in the house?)
If this is correct, the only thing I can think of is your dog sees the pads as the place to pee so continues to use them (even though he also goes outside).
I would suggest starting as if it is day 1 and you are housebreaking your puppy. Are you home enough each day to do this now?
I would also get rid of the pads (or at least moving the pads outside so your dog associates peeing with the outdoors) and make sure I clean up any urine places anywhere in the house (use something like Nature's Miracle).

 

[Oaklys Dad]

I agree the pee pads need to come up and you need to just double up on the routine of taking him out REALLY frequently and praising him to HIGH HEAVEN when he pees outside. Praising when he pees outside will work much quicker than scolding when he pees inside. I've been told that dogs get used to the feeling beneath their feet when they pee if it is the right spot. Your Jax has gotten used to the pee pads. You need to teach him that grass/snow is even better. Good luck to you.

 

[Willow52]

I've never used the wee pads so no real first-hand experience.

My first thought is the wee pads are confusing him. You are expecting him to go outside but the pads are still there for him to use inside. I'd do what was suggested up thread, move them to the door then outside. I wouldn't use them at all with the new pup.

 

[Jax's Mom]

I think removing the wee wee pads is a good idea, and I can pick up the natures miracle. I had seen that the other day and was contemplating it.

Now...my added question.....What do I do with the pup that I am bringing home? Is it fair to crate her when I am not home (for about 4 hours a day) when Jax isn't
crated? and crate her at night?

Thanks for the feedback guys!!

 

[Oaklys Dad]

I don't think you will have any problem crating the pup with an older "free range" pup in the house. I did this when I brought Caue home and it worked find. I would come home at lunch and Oakly would be sleeping right outside Caue's crate. Like he was just waiting for his little buddy to be released so they could play. Crate training is great after the first week : The first week is HELL. They should include earplugs. :

 

[Loisiana]

Another technique you could try is for awhile move the pads to right in front of the door that he would use to go outside. When you see him go over to the pad, take him outside before he has a chance to go inside. Once he has had a chance to learn that the pads are outside the door, you can remove the pads, and hopefully he will still go to the door looking for the pads. Take him outside everytime he goes to that area. Eventually that should carry over to him just learning to go to the door when he needs to go out.

The key to successful housebreaking is keeping a constant eye on your dog. Any time you cannot watch him, I would start putting him in a crate, until he learns that he should not go in the house.

 

[BeauShel]

I agree with everyone about the pads coming up or like Loisiana said moving them to the door. Get him on a set schedule of going out like he was when he was a little guy. Outside after eating, drinking, sleeping and playing. After he does his business give him lots of cheers like a college cheerleader and treats if you want. He will be so excited with giving him such praise that he will keep wanting to do it for you.

 

[Jax's Mom]

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Luckily, the pad was already placed near the door. It has been a full 24 hours and Jax has only had 1 poo-poo accident. Believe it or not, once I found the poops (in the basement from earlier I suppose), and when i picked it up, I took him outside with the poops and showed him, and BELIEVE IT OR NOT he pooped outside immediately following. Now I know it was partly due to coincidence that he had to go, but the connection was wonderful!! Needless to say, I gave him so much love praise and a treat for that one. I am hopeful that crate training the new puppy for short periods in between times we are not home and at night, will eliminate the need for wee wee pads totally since I don't want Jax to go backwards.

I'll keep you posted on the new pup, but we may be getting her tomorrow.

Thanks all!

 

[Jax's Mom]

Well good news! Jax is doing wonderfully with no wee-wee pads. He has had a poo accident or two, but for the most part, things went smoothly! The new puppy is home and being crated. She did have a few accidents last night, but today things are going well. Keeping my fingers crossed.