Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We got a Bichon puppy about 5 weeks ago. He is now around 5 months old. We love him to pieces and he is extremely spoiled. He is paper trained, this was started by the Breeder and we have had very few accidents. The trouble is that we are starting a new business in a couple of weeks that will require overnight trips and long day car rides and have been trying to convince Toodles that he needs to do his business outside. I have saved some of his soiled newspapers and put them on the ground outside but he will hold it and not go until we get in the house. He has held it before for almost 6 hours when he went to get groomed and the conditions of the paper on the floor were not there for him to go. I am concerned because this can't be healthy for him and I would like a happy traveling puppy. Any ideas on how to get him to get the idea that papers are ok in the house and that he can still go outside? It would be appreciated! Thanks...we love him and do not want to have to kennel him when we are away...plus, he doesn't go very well there either!

>>We got a Bichon puppy about 5 weeks ago. He is now around 5 months old. We love him to pieces and he is extremely spoiled. He is paper trained, this was started by the Breeder and we have had very few accidents. The trouble is that we are starting a new business in a couple of weeks that will require overnight trips and long day car rides and have been trying to convince Toodles that he needs to do his business outside. I have saved some of his soiled newspapers and put them on the ground outside but he will hold it and not go until we get in the house. He has held it before for almost 6 hours when he went to get groomed and the conditions of the paper on the floor were not there for him to go. I am concerned because this can't be healthy for him and I would like a happy traveling puppy. Any ideas on how to get him to get the idea that papers are ok in the house and that he can still go outside? It would be appreciated! Thanks...we love him and do not want to have to kennel him when we are away...plus, he doesn't go very well there either!

>>>>>>>>>

This is going to take time, especially with a male of this breed. Dogs develop a substrate preference to sufraces where they are able to potty early in life, so it's good that you are moving this outside without further delay. Your best bet is probably to go 100% to the outdoors now. Dogs who use indoor housetraining methods long term tend to have a lot of accidents indoors, and male Bichons are difficult to housetrain at best. You'll find a lot of how-to articles under "Housetraining" at the link below my signature.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

It sounds like you have a wonderful dog and it will just take a bit of time and patience to get your desired results.

I too have dogs that would rather "hold it" than go somewhere they don't like to go. I found that having them go where another dog has gone helps them get the idea. Also, dogs regularly have to go fairly soon after eating a meal, so that might help you out as well.
-----
PHReign
Email me: HReign@pethobbyist.com" target="_blank">PHReign@pethobbyist.com
Dear dog,
I can not buy anything larger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think that I will continue to sleep on the couch to ensure your comfort. Look at videos of dogs sleeping, they can actually curl up in a ball. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to your fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straigt out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space used is nothing more than doggy sarcasm.