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Puppy House training

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  • 06-08-2013 1:03pm
    #1
    target assassin
    Registered Users Posts: 102 ✭✭


    I got new beagle pup on Sunday. its my first time having a dog as an adult my self but I have read a few books on the subject.

    I'm currently trying to house train him using a crate + positive reinforcement when he does it in the garden.

    I'm using vinegar & water to clean up his accidents and otherwise ignoring them (unless I catch I'm in the act in which case I make a loud noise to distract him and bring him outside immediately - usually too late though)

    However, I live in an estate in which nearly every one has a dog in their back gardens, and every time I bring Archie (my beagle) out when they are out, they bark and he either runs back inside or hides in the corner of the garden too scared to move. when I do bring him back inside he piddles everywhere.

    its so frustrating because I know I have only had him 2 days but the crate training seems to be working until he gets scared.

    Firstly am I going about house training the right way?

    Secondly any advice on the other loud dogs that are scaring him.
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    #2
    ShaShaBear
    Registered Users Posts: 5,528 ✭✭✭ShaShaBear


    target assassin wrote: »
    I got new beagle pup on Sunday. its my first time having a dog as an adult my self but I have read a few books on the subject.

    I'm currently trying to house train him using a crate + positive reinforcement when he does it in the garden.

    I'm using vinegar & water to clean up his accidents and otherwise ignoring them (unless I catch I'm in the act in which case I make a loud noise to distract him and bring him outside immediately - usually too late though)

    However, I live in an estate in which nearly every one has a dog in their back gardens, and every time I bring Archie (my beagle) out when they are out, they bark and he either runs back inside or hides in the corner of the garden too scared to move. when I do bring him back inside he piddles everywhere.

    its so frustrating because I know I have only had him 2 days but the crate training seems to be working until he gets scared.

    Firstly am I going about house training the right way?

    Secondly any advice on the other loud dogs that are scaring him.


    I'd suggest you need to do more socialisation with other dogs. Are you taking him to any classes for puppies to mix with other dogs. Another suggestion would be to stay outside with him a bit longer to desensitize him, when he starts to pick up and become accustomed to the noise, treat him and he will soon learn to ignore it. Just be sure not to coddle and "reassure" him while he is exhibiting the scared behaviour - he'll learn that this is what you want him to do!


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    #3
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,041 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    Are you crating him at night and then bringing him out every 30 mins or so? This is what I've been doing with my pup although we're at the stage now where she's settling into a routine sleeping during the day etc so I take her out after she's had a nap, if she was playing with my other dog, after a meal or if she starts to wander towards the door! We're down to one or two accidents the last few days and we've been training for 2 weeks - she's 10 weeks old.
    I'd be tempted to take your guy out on a lead so he can't run away and maybe treat him when the other dogs bark so he doesn't see it as something scary. How old is he and where did you get him from - the reason I ask is that my pup isn't bothered by other dogs barking or..anything! She's pretty brave compared to how my other dog was at that age and even at 4 - he went inside when some abulances/fire engines were passing with sirens on yesterday and the puppy didn't care! I'd be looking at enrolling your guy into socailisation classes asap if you haven't already.


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    #4
    Mr. Flibble
    Registered Users Posts: 2,364 ✭✭✭Mr. Flibble


    As well as not coddling him when he hears barking, make sure not to react yourself. If you show annoyance at the sound of barking he'll pick up on that.

    When I crate trained my puppy and brought him outside he appeared scared of sounds (mostly the bush shaking in the wind!). I had him on a lead though so he ended up cowering between my legs. I just ignored it and waited for him to man up and pee. After a few days of bush sounds he realised that the bush wasn't going to hurt him (although now as a larger dog he does some damage to the other plant life in the garden).

    Perhaps a leash would help you keep him where you want him to pee also. I'd put him on a lead and wait quietly for him ignoring his fear and then praise when he eventually goes. He'll go in the end.


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    #5
    target assassin
    Registered Users Posts: 102 ✭✭target assassin


    He hasn't had his second vaccination yet so i cant socialise him, hes only 9 weeks, hes due it in the third week of august.

    Yea we just let him out, but he has 2 different places in the garden for Pees and Poos. which i don't mind cause poos are farther away.
    ill try bringing him on the lead to one spot.

    he came from a family in Galway, they had toddlers and 4 beagles and 2 collies not to mention the other 7 puppies.

    at night I put him in the crate at about 11.30 after he does his business outside. then i set my alarm for 3 and bring him out again, then i get up again at 7 to bring him out.

    is it correct to continue ignoring indoor accidents.


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    #6
    ShaShaBear
    Registered Users Posts: 5,528 ✭✭✭ShaShaBear


    target assassin wrote: »
    He hasn't had his second vaccination yet so i cant socialise him, hes only 9 weeks, hes due it in the third week of august.

    Yea we just let him out, but he has 2 different places in the garden for Pees and Poos. which i don't mind cause poos are farther away.
    ill try bringing him on the lead to one spot.

    he came from a family in Galway, they had toddlers and 4 beagles and 2 collies not to mention the other 7 puppies.

    at night I put him in the crate at about 11.30 after he does his business outside. then i set my alarm for 3 and bring him out again, then i get up again at 7 to bring him out.

    is it correct to continue ignoring indoor accidents.

    Yep, you want to pretty much keep going as you are, but if there are many indoor accidents you might want to increase the amount of times you take him outside :o


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    #7
    target assassin
    Registered Users Posts: 102 ✭✭target assassin


    We threw some food in the garden for him to find and he was so busy with that he didn't care about the other dogs.

    I just spent 30 min in the rain with him and he wasn't doing anything while the dog was barking at us. So I brought him in. The second I came in he started to poo. Some even came out! So I brought him outside quickly and nothing again for 20 min but still raining. He finally did the poo in the garden.

    He seems fine when the other dogs are in!!

    Is only once up at night too little?


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    #8
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,041 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    target assassin wrote: »

    Is only once up at night too little?

    We've only been getting up once per night but if I take her out around 11:30-12:00 she'll sleep thru until almost 6 which is when I get up anyways so all good.

    Just on socialization - it's fine for him to meet vaccinated dogs (I've been keeping it indoors to be safe) and the puppy classes we're doing just need them to have the first vaccination.


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