housebreaking my miniature pinscher

[kellbell6239]

This is my first post so, "Hi" everyone!
I have an 8 week old min pin, just got her last week(I know, too early, it wasn't my decision) I know that it's hard work to housebreak her, expecially at this age, I am thinking about litter training her for a bit. I work 3rd shift and a couple days a week I am home alone to sleep, well, she doesn't like that too much, she's a little cuddlebug and likes to sleep with me, and I keep her there because I don't want her doing her business all over my house, we rent, so any damage has to be cleaned up asap. She will usually start yelping and jumping around if she has to go outside, and it wakes me , I take her out, and she's fine. But these last few days, I wake up with pee and poop in my bed, or worse, on me! She has had some stomach upset so it's nasty when she goes. She is doing really good outside, but sometimes she'll go, then come in and run to a corner before I can catch her. My husband is the one who had to have her, and he is getting so frustrated he wants to get rid of her, (he woke up today with it on the blanket)I have become really attached, so I need some advice. I don't have a crate only because it would mean leaving her in it all day, I heard that was too long for a puppy her age and the puppy pads are going to get expensive b/c she goes so much. I was thinking about getting a baby gate and closing off my laundry room for her, her food is there now, and there would be plenty of room for her. Any advice? I love this little girl so much already, I don't want to get rid of her.
This is really long..sorry :)

[That_girl]

Okay, back up a bit. What food are you feeding her, how much, and when? If you are free-feeding, which means having food always available, then you are kind of shooting yourself in the foot when it comes to housebreaking. She should be fed 4 times per day or so, at regular times. Once you regulate feeding, you can regulate when she goes to the bathroom. Dogs thrive on routine, just like babies, and people for that matter. Work up a schedule and stick to it as best as you can. Make sure you are working in regular exercise times as well, and increasing those as the pup ages.

8 week old puppies should go out every hour, on the hour. As she ages, increase the time to 2 hours. This may seem annoying at first, but everyone has to start slowly. Are you taking her out in the middle of the night? If not, then start. Every hour or 2. That should stop the going on the bed. Also, make sure she goes out IMMEDIATELY after eating. Eating stimulates the digestive tract, i.e. the bowels.

Next, are you rewarding her when she goes potty outside? She should be getting verbal praise "good girl!" in a happy tone of voice, a few pets, and some sort of food treats. When she goes in the house, no rewards. When she makes a mistake, take her outside immediately. If she goes outside, reward then.

You can litter train if you want, but in my opinion, you are confusing the dog by telling them it's okay to go in the house. I have raised a small terrier, so I know that they hate being outside away from their people. They will learn. It's going to take time. You can't expect miracles at 8 weeks. I wouldn't expect too much of your pup until she hits 4-6 months. Then you should be on track with very few accidents.

Crate training, when done properly, is great for dogs. Many people use the crate as punishment, and that's not what it's for. Wild wolves use dens for comfort and safety. The point of crate training is to get the dog to think it's their "den": a place of safety and rest. I can give more tips on crate training later if you want to go that route. It's much easier to housetrain if you crate train, and it also helps you relax when you are away because you don't have to worry about your dog destroying your house or ingesting something dangerous when you are gone.

Also, make sure you have thoroughly cleaned the bed with an enzyme killer cleaner. You need to make sure all traces of smell are removed, or she'll think that's an appropriate place to potty. I use Nature's Miracle and it's great.

Tell your husband that an 8 week old pup is like a toddler. You can't expect her to be perfectly behaved. If you do, you are in for major disappointment. They are still growing and developing so much at that age.

Good luck, and let us know if you have more questions.

[kellbell6239]

ok, I'll start with your first question, I'm feeding her 3-4 times a day, she doesn't get it all the time. I feed her when I get home in the mornings, midday, and early evening, she is usually asleep after that. She is on a soft food right now, ( have been slowly switching to regular puppy chow since yesterday, she got really sick tuesday, and the vet said it was probably the food, (she tested neg. for everything). I bought her a cat dish because she's so small, and I don't give her much food at a time, I go by what the container says for her weight, and had to lessen it a little because it was still too much and would go to waste. She does go out after eating, and sometimes more than once an hour, and she gets praised everytime she goes. She is already starting to wait at the door to go out, and when she's done, she goes to the door to come back in.
I think it may have to do with it being so cold out, as soon as her paws touch the ground, and she decides not to go, she will wimper and cry and bark as loud as she can and shiver to come back in, so I bring her in, warm her up, then back out she goes. After a few times she gets it I think.
It seems as though she is learning, I know it is going to take a lot of time and patience, which I have more of than my husband, I have potty trained two kids, and am working on the 3rd and the puppy at the same time:eek:
I don't want her to think that I'm locking her up for the day in a crate, but I guess if that's what it takes, I 'll have to quit being such a softie..lol
The litter thing is a last resort, my sister has a 7 year old dog who uses the cats box, and her house smells so bad! So I'd love some tips on the crate training, you think her being in it for a few days of the week, 4-5 hrs long will do any harm? Thanks for your help!

[Yogi]

As a former breeder of Miniature Pinscher for over 48 years I can attest to the fact that this breed is truly one of the most difficult to house train. Yes, cold or damp weather is something that they do not tolerate well and will avoid going out in these conditions.
Crate training is a must for this breed but at this age it should be done for short periods of time. Allowing for time out to take care of business. Feeding the dog in the crate also will help the dog adjust to it as a good place.
Miniature Pinschers are in fact Terriers not toy breeds. The name pinscher derives from the English word "pincher" which describes the breeds biting action.
At this age they need to be on kibble not canned food. This helps with their teeth and gum development. Also may explain upset stomach issues. The allotment of 3 to 4 times a day can vary as this breed does well with 2 to 3 meals a day. Primary concern is eventually like most Miniature Pinschers, they can overeat very easily.
You are so far doing what is necessary, showing patience. In this breed this is the key word when working with Miniature Pinschers. Many do not understand that this was a feral dog who's instincts are very strong. This makes the dog a truly free thinking breed prone to do as it pleases when it pleases. Even at 8 weeks the instincts are working. So long as you can sustain a set routine daily the dog will learn it. It just takes time and patience as you have noted.
Unfortunately like most folks, not enough research appears to have been done when getting this breed otherwise your husband would understand these issues and would be as patient as you are. This is never a first time breed for anyone even if they have had a dog in the past. The breed is prone to mischief and high energy. Hopefully you have a securely fenced yard as this breed truly needs one. Rated the 3rd worst for apartments prone to their natural guarding instincts thus barking at anything they deem a threat causes neighbor complaints.
In this breed, 85% house trained is considered house trained. There will still be occasional accidents. One thing I have used in place of pee pads is a hospital pad. They can be found online. These are little larger than pee pads and can be laundered. They work very well and you only need a few that can be used over and over.
Good luck with the new addition.