Hi! I'm new to this site, and am hoping someone can help me. I have an 11 week old Cavapoo. He's been with me for 3 weeks. I've a pen set up for him - kinda like a big crate. There's his bed, his food & water, and a litter box lined with newspaper. He does great while he's in the pen, doesn't even pee or poop on the floor, always does it in the litter box. But, when I let him out into the house, he pees or poops on the floor or rug. I try to catch him in the act, and rush him to the box, but he does nothing. He's so quick! Sometimes, I tell him to "go potty" and he'll go to the box and sit or lie down in it. Or, he'll be excited when I come home, and focus on being with me. I try to have him go potty before I let him out or pick him up, but he's too excited, and won't go. Once in awhile, this does work, (like in the morning) but not often enough. He also sometimes tears up the newspaper, but I accept that as normal. If I used litter, there'd be an even bigger mess. Anyhow, what can I do? This is getting very frustrating.

1. He's a baby. It will take time.
2. You need a crate, not a pen. He needs to be in a small area that is his bed--he will not soil his bed.
3. As soon as you take him out of the crate, you need to take him immediately outside to potty--and stay out there until he potties and praise and reward him for a "good potty".
4. When puppies play, they need to potty. When puppies eat or drink, they need to potty. When they wake up, they need to potty. Expect to take the puppy outside frequently--after each of these events. Prevention of mistakes is the best training method.

I was watching Its Me Or The Dog on AP and they were potty training a french bulldog and Victoria said that its best to take the puppy out every 2 hours when potty training. Like Frecs said the puppy needs to be taken out after eating, after drinking, after playing and after sleeping. Im getting a new 9 week puppy tonight so I'll know how you feel very soon

Another tip is to not let him free range in the house. One trick that my trainer taught us was called "the lifeline". You basically attatch a small nylon leash to his collar. Keep the leash attatched to you so where you go, he goes. Then about every two hours, take him to his box or outside. MAKE him stay there until he goes. If you are doing something where you cant have him attatched to you and you cant watch him, he needs to go in his crate/pen.

You need to take the puppy out countless times during the day. Puppies will go toilet after any event. Eating, playing etc. Get in to the habit of taking the pup out lots and lots and heaping the praise when it goes toilet.

They do learn, it just takes time. Personally I would never train a puppy to go toilet in the house at all. What worked best for me was just being vigilant and as soon as it starts to sniff, turn around, crouch it would be let out. Also after playing, out straight away.

Stick with it and you will get there.

[Popcorn]

Originally Posted by Frecs

1. He's a baby. It will take time.
2. You need a crate, not a pen. He needs to be in a small area that is his bed--he will not soil his bed.
3. As soon as you take him out of the crate, you need to take him immediately outside to potty--and stay out there until he potties and praise and reward him for a "good potty".
4. When puppies play, they need to potty. When puppies eat or drink, they need to potty. When they wake up, they need to potty. Expect to take the puppy outside frequently--after each of these events. Prevention of mistakes is the best training method.

good post totally agree, we bought a crate and our puppy has only done 1 wee in the house since we had her and she's 9 months old now best investment we made buying the crate she love it

Thanks to all for the advice.....
I'm training my dog to use the litter box, because I work a few days a week. I can't come home to let him out, thus, the convenience of the litter box. On the days that I am home, things are pretty good. He's doing better, but still has accidents. Sometimes, he catches himself, and heads to the box to pee or poop. Other times, he just goes where he pleases. (I've limited him to being in the kitchen.) This little guy is very clever.... how long should I expect it to take for him to be more reliable?

Puppies generally don't develop enough bladder control to become reliable-- that is, being able to signal to you each time he needs to go out-- until about 4-5 months of age. By six months, though, he may be able to make it through an entire 8 hour shift without needing to go out, and all through the night as well.