Thursday, July 30, 2009

What do I do about Judas?

My boyfriend Thad has raised his pitbull Brown-Eye and potty trained her, but Judas is just getting 2 months old. He and his sister Lilith were just two of a little of eight, and Lilith was the runt, he was the prettiest. Well, the day after we got them for free from a friend, the rest of the puppies died from parvo. Now, we're raising them, but we can't figure out how to get them to use the bathroom outside. I know that they're too young to know yet, but I want them to hurry up and learn. I'm getting tired of stepping in crap everywhere Thad and I walk. I've tried making him sit outside when he uses the bathroom in the floor until he begs to go inside, smacking his butt or nose, and just putting out newspapers. All he can do is the newspaper thing. I'm afraid that he's going to grow up being the only Red Nose Pitbull who uses a litter box or something. =(
Answers:
Patience and consistency are key. Smacking the pup won't accomplish anything except to create an agressive dog, and with that breed, it's not what you want. Take the pup out frequently and while outside, rub his belly. Mother dogs lick the bellies of their pups to stimulate their bowels. Potty training a puppy takes time, mine got it figured out at around 3 1/2 months, so you're almost there.
Good luck
when he pottys in the house rub his nose in it and tell him in a very firm voice NO! then take him outside and stay out there with him and when he finally goes to the bathroom outside give him a treat and pet him and play with him. but do not touch him until he pottys outside. Make sure you take him out the door that you want him to go to when he has to go potty every time.
with this repetitive behavior he will finally learn that you want him to potty outside and not inside.
I'd advise going to read some information on these 2 websites. Cesar Millan knows a lot about dog behavior ;)

http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/chann.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/.

Good luck ;)
PIts are smart and stubborn at the same time! All you can do is fix a feeding schedual and an outside potty time. I allow my girl to eat in the morning then we go out usually 15 min after and the same in the afternoon. but also I take her out more if i am home all day. Just try to set a schedual.
When he "lifts his leg" pick him up and rush out the door as fast as you can. These are some times to take him out: 5 min. or less after each feeding/drinking; after playing, exercise, visitors; first thing in the morning; last thing at night; once every 2 hours(at least.) Be sure to take him out to the same place each time, and when he goes, reward him with a small treat. This could take up to 3 weeks, but it will work.
In my experience, a strict routine helps. Get up, eat, go outside, play, sleep, eat, go outside, play, sleep, eat, go outside, play, etc. you get the idea. Try to keep the schedule exactly the same every day. Start at a certain time and stick with it. If it helps, set a timer so that you know when it's time to go outside again. This also helps if you get them on YOUR schedule so that you won't have accidents when you are gone.

When it's time for your pup to go outside pick him up and carry him to the outside so that he can't go on the way. Lots of praise when he goes outside. Then pick him up and carry him back in. Eventually he will learn to go to the door. This has always worked with my mutts.
Please do NOT rub your dog's nose in it, as someone else suggested. That is so cruel. Did your mother rub your face in your diaper when she was trying to potty train you?

Going on the newpaper is a good start. Remember, this pup is still a baby! Try moving the paper closer and closer to the door each time the pups use it until the paper is outside. Smacking your dog also isn't a good approach. When your dog goes on the paper and/or goes outside, PRAISE THEM. Lots of love and attention for desired behavior! House training a pup does not happen over night. You're dealing with BABIES here.

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