Backstepping on the Housebreaking

Piper is 12 weeks old this week. She has done very well with her potty training ... until this week. She had done so well in the beginning, that she had a bladder infection from holding it all night in her crate. She has been off her antibiotic for over two weeks and I have seen no other signs to indicate that she has another bladder infection. On each occasion recently, we have been outside and she has gone to pee (or at least made me believe she had) before we have gone inside - then she pees on the floor within minutes of coming in. Why would she do so well, then revert back to going to the bathroom in the house?

 

a few things, at 12 weeks she should be going out at night once or twice, if she is not, you need to make her, that is why she got her infection, as you say from holding it. You need to go out with her, and be right with her, do not come in until she goes, then praise her, always use a command that you use over again, like good girl! and lavish it. do this each time she goes. And when you do do out say somethin like "lets go potty" and use this everytime you go out, so she will learn that command means for her to go. If hse goes in teh house do not scold her, pick her up imediately and say lets go potty and put her outside. You should keep her on a long tetherto you, so you can catch her with this and again pick her up asap. go outside say go potty

it is common to revert for while, it just takes patience and work.

good luck!

honeybear

 

Thank you, Honeybear. I had asked the vet about waking her up at night to go out, but he didn't seem very concerned about it. I will go ahead and give it a try. I do use the "let's go potty" and she understands, because she meets me at the back door. I know on the last two occasions for accidents, she had gone right before we came back in. I'm glad to know they sometimes can revert back and it's not a major warning sign of something else. She is a very smart and sweet baby. It's just been a very long time since I had a young puppy, so I guess I'm a little rusty!

 

Most of what I learned comes from here, and other peoples great recomendations, you will get a lot more activity to your questions on the other dogs section, even though this is a great site for PB specific questions.
Rule of thumb on how long they can typically hold it is one hour for every month they are old, but this can vary.

And also make sure no water a few hours befor8I Adtime.


honeybear