Millie and Max are seven months old, brother and sister. They are a mix of Jack Russell, Pomeranian and Chihuahua. They were bought from a pet shop at ten weeks of age. Max is a lot bigger. He’s like a little fox!
They are delightful and full of puppy exuberance – Max in particular. Millie is a little more anxious.
Indoor toileting
The main problem is constant indoor toileting – everywhere. There are puppy pads in all the rooms.
I feel because the pads are impregnated these little dogs are in effect being taught to go indoors. It’s Catch 22 because without the pads they would be peeing even more on the carpets – and pooing as well.
From the start they were toileting several times in the night, even when shut in a crate. The crate was abandoned because of the mess they made.
By the age of ten weeks old most puppies will have been introduced to the difference between indoors and outdoors, and it’s clear these little dogs had not. The problems had already started. Once home from the pet shop, they were so tiny, Millie in particular, that rules and boundaries were not properly introduced.
The dogs, sleeping on the lady’s bed, will get off wee and poo several times in the night – mostly on the pads but not always.
Teaching the process of going out
This is a huge problem as you may imagine. Max also now marks up the curtain as well. Millie peed four times while I was there, once under the table, and the other times on puppy pads. She does lots of small puddles.
I did wonder whether this constant peeing from Millie could be due to a medical problem, but she has been checked over by the vet. They usually carry her outside, but this way she will never learn that part of the process is walking to the back door.
My view is that their territory should be cut down from run of the house to just kitchen and utility room for now. Unless they are being watched – and then they should not have freedom to wander. I would advise the same thing at night. Shut them in the utility and leave them to it – but this would probably be too big a leap for the young lady. Understandably.
Back to square one
Puppy training needs to go back to square one. They are praised massively for going outside, but maybe they think they are praised for going, irrespective of where. Praise needs to be gentle, not distracting. If the little reward is dropped on the grass in front of them as they finish, they may start to get the connection with toileting and grass.
Visits outside will need to be very frequent, after meals, after waking, after playing, when the dogs are restless, and at least every waking thirty minutes.
They may need to try different food, because four, five or even more poos a day is excessive. The more complete the nutrition, the less waste there will be to pass through!
Excitement and stress
The final element which they need to put in places is reduction of excitement and stress. They persistently jump up and nip when the lady owners come home, and at visitors. Walks are pulling affairs with anxiety around other dogs. They fly all over the chairs and people.
Stress, excitement and anxiety lead to indoor toileting – peeing and possibly pooing. Stress and excitement also lead to drinking. Drinking leads to peeing! A few calm rules and boundaries will help enormously, I’m sure.
One month later: Walking is much better. The excitableness is calming down. The barking is improvement. Toilets inside is decreasing so that’s good news.
