Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, i got my puppy (chihuahua/jack russell mix) at 12 weeks old. prior to me adopting her, she stayed with a foster family from about 6 weeks of age. while they had her, they paper trained her. i however, do NOT want this. i would like for her to be crate trained. now since ive had her, we've had problems with this. i'm following the typical rules for crate training but she just doesn't seem to understand. i'll sit outside with her for an hour at a time and she'll just play but not pee, and then come inside and immediately pee on the carpet. this has been going on over a week and i'm continuing to attempt crate training but it has been difficult. any advice? or should i just continue with the typical crate training rules and she'll eventually get it?

Does she ever pee or poop outside? If so, praise her. (I'd say, "Good potty" everytime she goes when she's outside.) Then each time you go outside for the purpose of potty time, ask her to "go potty." I'd especially do this first thing in the morning (when you know she'll need to go). Pick her up as soon as you open the crate and go outside with her and ask her to go potty. Then the praise. Once she knows what you want her to do, she'll probably do it. Also, clean up any accidents in the house with an enzyme cleaner (such as Nature's Miracle), which takes the smell of pee out of the carpet, so your dog won't mark over it. Also, watch your pup in the house. If she's sniffing around, take her out right away and ask her to potty.
Good luck!

>>Hi, i got my puppy (chihuahua/jack russell mix) at 12 weeks old. prior to me adopting her, she stayed with a foster family from about 6 weeks of age. while they had her, they paper trained her. i however, do NOT want this. i would like for her to be crate trained. now since ive had her, we've had problems with this. i'm following the typical rules for crate training but she just doesn't seem to understand. i'll sit outside with her for an hour at a time and she'll just play but not pee, and then come inside and immediately pee on the carpet. this has been going on over a week and i'm continuing to attempt crate training but it has been difficult. any advice? or should i just continue with the typical crate training rules and she'll eventually get it?

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Let's make sure we're on the same page here to figure out how to make things work better. Tell us what you have been taught are the rules of crate training. Also, check the articles at the link below my signature, especially the ones filed under "Crate" and "Housetraining." I expect this problem is fixable.
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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