Freeper help needed! What's the best way to "house/potty train" a pup Cocker Spaniel?

June 3, 2005 | tame

[FraudFactor.com]

One approach to house-training a dog is if the dog soils the carpet, that is where his food bowl goes. The dog should get the message.

But I don't know if this will work for a "yellow dog Democrat". Is your dog a Republican or a yellow dog Democrat?

Hint: If your dog is registred to vote, it is probably a Democrat. If your dog actually votes, it is definitely a Democrat.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

A mixer of water and white vinegar, about 50-50, and a small brush will take car of the stains as well as the smell.

[Calpernia]

All the dogs and cats I've ever had were what I call 'story' animals too.

I for once in my life would love to be able to choose a dog or cat. But we seem to have some animal lojack system that brings them to us.

All were hard to train. But, everything we have done works.

Jack Russells are real cute dogs. Glad you have great friends.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Crating.

The puppy might mess up its own house once, but only once.

When you let it out of the crate, take it straight outside to do its business.

[ken5050]

Thanks..I need a few keyboard anyways..ROFL..

[ken5050]

and there's always the "Stanley Steamer"

[Lanza]

I have had two cockers and a weinie dog. All the posts recommending a crate are exactly right. Within days they learn not to go in the crate, and when you take them out of the crate go straight outside. They will learn very quickly that they only go outside. All dogs I ever had prior to crating them I could never get trained well. My two cockers and dacschund wouldn't soil the carpet for anything.

They learn very quickly in the crate/kennel. I left my dogs in one whenever I left the house. After a few months the crate wasn't needed anymore, and they never had accidents.

My sister got a mini dachsund last year, and I kept telling her to crate him for potty training. A year later she complains that the dog still is having constant accidents. If I told her once, I told her a million times to crate the dog especially when they were gone, and within weeks they would have a trained dog. Now she has a year old, untrained dog that has ruined their carpet.

[alicewonders]

I for once in my life would love to be able to choose a dog or cat. But we seem to have some animal lojack system that brings them to us.

All my pets are strays that have come to me, one way or the other. We live in an area where people dump them & I think they have a network among themselves so they know where to go for food, shelter & love.

[TexasTaysor]

That's right. NEVER spank a cocker puppy. They will be nervous, and have more accidents! (I learned that the hard way on my first one)

Exactly....everytime we walked toward her she wet in the floor from being nervous about having been spanked. I always felt so bad about how we had tried to train her. It didn't work and only made things worse. They are such sweet, lovable little dogs. We were young and didn't know....have since realized each breed is so different, but I still don't spank any of them when training.

[The_Victor]

Crate training is definitely the way to go. The pup will not want to go in a small space, so it learns to hold it. Then you just need to put it outside regularly and praise it when it goes. Both my labs were house trained in 24 hrs. Well, there were still a few minor accidents, but they knew what was expected of them.

[golfboy]

It's a little dog... a .22 ought to be plenty.

[Calpernia]

Ah, another victim of the animal lojack system!

We have some invisible neon sign that only animals can see!

How did we do that?

[not_apathetic_anymore]

Get one:) I lost my wonderful old girl in November. Times were pretty tough. I still miss her and tear up at the thought of her maybe once a week. But I got a pup in December, and she's helped.

[AnAmericanMother]

Even a puppy will be good for awhile after going outside.

Take the pup out first thing when you remove him from the crate. Then he should be able to play with the little boy for at least 10-15 minutes before he has accumulated enough to pee again!

And make sure that the stain remover you buy has enzymes in it. That's the only thing that will break down the smell enough for the dog to ignore it. A strong clue is if the directions tell you to spray it on and then put a wet towel over it for 10-15 minutes. . . . that lets the enzymes work without drying out. (My husband works for a company that manufactures the stuff -- they only sell wholesale to industry -- but it really works.)

[alicewonders]

Oh, they know.....they know......

[Sgt_Schultze]

The dog will actually claim the crate as it's own.

You are so correct. My 19 month old Golden Retriever even relaxes in his childhood crate. We bought the largest size to allow for this opportunity. The gate has been removed and he sleeps in there every night. He knows it as his space - exclusively. His housebreaking was effortless.

[papertyger]

Don't laugh. A good shock collar, properly employed, can make the difference between a furry family member, and a heartbreaking euthanasia.

[RandallFlagg]

That's what the Wife keeps telling me, but she can't find one that fits around my neck.

[politicalwit]

I would suggest spreading a daily copy of the Washington Post or the New York Times in an area where puppy normally does his/her business. Since the paper is already soiled pup should get the idea.

[Kay Syrah]

skimming thru the replies, you probably know by now the crate is the way to go. Just one thing to add, get an enzyme cleaner for the inevitable mistakes, use according to package instructions. These are really good and effective. I never use treats to train for expected behaviour, but I must admit, I did use them to train my mal, to "sing" with me. LOL.