Need help with my dog

[NatJ]

Ok. But it will get better right

I certainly hope so, and I think it likely, but I really don't know for sure.

If he never is able to hold his pee for very long, you might consider having him live outdoors, or installing a dog door so he can always take himself out. Either way would work to manage a frequent-peeing situation.

 

[MROO]

Cocker Spaniels are usually super sweet, but notoriously stubborn with house-training. Pet store/puppy mill puppies can be even tougher, but not impossible. It CAN be done!

We've faced the same issue with a couple of our dogs, too. One of them was ... you guessed it ... a Cocker Spaniel! We came across a stepped approach that worked wonders for our little hard-heads. It took over a month, but it wasn't difficult and everyone kept relatively sane.

First and foremost, learn your puppy's signals. Most will sniff around in circles when looking for a good spot to "go." Watch the timing, too, to learn how long your pup takes to "through-put" a meal or drink. We had to have ours outside about ten minutes after a good drink, about twenty for a full meal.

Indoors:

• When your puppy isn't with you on a leash, keep him confined in a small area. A bathroom, laundry or mudroom work well. If you don't have a small room, try an oversized kennel. Baby gates are your friends!
• Cover the ENTIRE floor with newspapers. Any place that isn't covered with a bed needs to be papered. Make sure that no matter where he relieves himself, he's doing it on the surface you want him to use. You could also use puppy pee pads, but that can get really expensive.
• After a week of this, reduce the size of the acceptable surface. The idea is to make the bathroom area smaller without making the entire room smaller. If your puppy uses the smaller area, you can start reducing it every three or four days. Don't rush this part or you'll undo all your progress. Once he starts going off the papered area, you'll need to go back to square one again. Trust me on this one. We learned it the hard way!
• Eventually, you should be able to have a single pee pad/paper spot. At that point, we left the paper/pads up all the time, but our dog rarely used it unless it was an emergency. It was more of an insurance policy than an actual necessity.

Outdoors:

• Whenever you take your puppy outside to do his business, keep him on a leash until he finishes. As soon as he does, heap on the "Good Boy" praise! If you're in a fenced yard, let him off the leash to run and play with him. He'll learn that getting straight to business means getting on with playtime sooner.
• Always go to the same spot in the yard. Putting a used newspaper or pee pad there for encouragement can help.
• Choose a command that he can associate with relieving himself. It serves as a reminder, later on. Sixteen years later, our old pooch still knows that "Hurry Up" means it's time to "go," and he nearly always gets on with it.

Patience, consistency and persistence are all key to making this work. Just as in potty training a child, it takes time. Accept that there will be lapses and accidents, but in the end, you'll have a well-mannered family member ... and a cleaner, nicer smelling home!
Good luck.

Oh - and for the record ... your new puppy is adorable!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I've never had a cocker spaniel but I've always used a kennel to housebreak my dogs and never had a pup that age who would mess it's kennel after less than two hours. I would get him tested for a UTI first and then worry about how to train him if its not that.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Cocker Spaniels are usually super sweet, but notoriously stubborn with house-training. Pet store/puppy mill puppies can be even tougher, but not impossible. It CAN be done!

We've faced the same issue with a couple of our dogs, too. One of them was ... you guessed it ... a Cocker Spaniel! We came across a stepped approach that worked wonders for our little hard-heads. It took over a month, but it wasn't difficult and everyone kept relatively sane.

First and foremost, learn your puppy's signals. Most will sniff around in circles when looking for a good spot to "go." Watch the timing, too, to learn how long your pup takes to "through-put" a meal or drink. We had to have ours outside about ten minutes after a good drink, about twenty for a full meal.

Indoors:

• When your puppy isn't with you on a leash, keep him confined in a small area. A bathroom, laundry or mudroom work well. If you don't have a small room, try an oversized kennel. Baby gates are your friends!
• Cover the ENTIRE floor with newspapers. Any place that isn't covered with a bed needs to be papered. Make sure that no matter where he relieves himself, he's doing it on the surface you want him to use. You could also use puppy pee pads, but that can get really expensive.
• After a week of this, reduce the size of the acceptable surface. The idea is to make the bathroom area smaller without making the entire room smaller. If your puppy uses the smaller area, you can start reducing it every three or four days. Don't rush this part or you'll undo all your progress. Once he starts going off the papered area, you'll need to go back to square one again. Trust me on this one. We learned it the hard way!
• Eventually, you should be able to have a single pee pad/paper spot. At that point, we left the paper/pads up all the time, but our dog rarely used it unless it was an emergency. It was more of an insurance policy than an actual necessity.

Outdoors:

• Whenever you take your puppy outside to do his business, keep him on a leash until he finishes. As soon as he does, heap on the "Good Boy" praise! If you're in a fenced yard, let him off the leash to run and play with him. He'll learn that getting straight to business means getting on with playtime sooner.
• Always go to the same spot in the yard. Putting a used newspaper or pee pad there for encouragement can help.
• Choose a command that he can associate with relieving himself. It serves as a reminder, later on. Sixteen years later, our old pooch still knows that "Hurry Up" means it's time to "go," and he nearly always gets on with it.

Patience, consistency and persistence are all key to making this work. Just as in potty training a child, it takes time. Accept that there will be lapses and accidents, but in the end, you'll have a well-mannered family member ... and a cleaner, nicer smelling home!
Good luck.

Oh - and for the record ... your new puppy is adorable!

Thanks this helps...I was starting to get discouraged! I will try this method I just get worried that if I use puppy pads he will still think its acceptable to go in the house.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

I've never had a cocker spaniel but I've always used a kennel to housebreak my dogs and never had a pup that age who would mess it's kennel after less than two hours. I would get him tested for a UTI first and then worry about how to train him if its not that.

Hmm ok I will get him tested I thought with a uti there was blood involved. Anyway it's weird to cause it's almost clear does that just mean hes hydrated or that it's running right through him. If he did have a water bowl I would probably just assume he spilled it. See I have never had a problem either

 

[Gypsi]

Generally a dog won't potty where they eat. Feed in the crate, and straight outside after he eats. a belly band is something I've heard of but I am not sure how to use

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Generally a dog won't potty where they eat. Feed in the crate, and straight outside after he eats. a belly band is something I've heard of but I am not sure how to use

He does eat in his crate and the crate is not big. Do yall want a pic?

 

[MROO]

Thanks this helps...I was starting to get discouraged! I will try this method I just get worried that if I use puppy pads he will still think its acceptable to go in the house.

You're very welcome! Just be patient. Right now, I know it seems like you'll NEVER get your new "baby" trained, but this won't be forever. In the long run, though, you're investing a month or two in a family member who will give you years of love in return ... and judging by that beautiful face, he'll be well worth the education you put into him, now!

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

You're very welcome! Just be patient. Right now, I know it seems like you'll NEVER get your new "baby" trained, but this won't be forever. In the long run, though, you're investing a month or two in a family member who will give you years of love in return ... and judging by that beautiful face, he'll be well worth the education you put into him, now!

He does great he knows sit, leave it, focus, lay, down, back up, go play and come, also drop it but we are still working on stay and potty training.

 

[MROO]

Wow, I'm definitely impressed! That's quite a lot for a youngster. That's one of the real advantages of getting an "older" puppy. Their brains are ready to process and retain a lot more than tiny babies. Keep up the great work ... and don't worry that "Stay" is taking a bit longer. That's a really tough one, and not just for puppies and dogs. I have trouble it myself ... and I'm supposed to be a grown-up!