I have 18 month old twin boys, and soon we’re going to start potty training. I have heard a variety of methods and concepts. I was just wondering if you would share your ideas that worked the best!
I’ve heard all sorts of things… that boys are more difficult, that they should be potty trained completely by 24 months, that you shouldn’t even start until after 24 months, etc.
Let me know what you think!
We had great success with the book "potty training in less than a Day". It is amazing and helped structure the plan and answered a lot of the questions we had as parents.
Jul 18, 2010 | | potty training techniques
1. Figure out what she does before she goes to the bathroom (like sniffing the ground, circling a spot, etc.) When you see her doing that, take her outside (with some small treats) and wait for her to go. As soon as she starts, tell her "good girl" in a positive voice. As soon as she’s finished, give her a treat immediately and lavish tons of praise and attention upon her.
2. While you’re sleeping or out of the house, keep her in a crate that is big enough for her to stand without crouching, make a full circle, and lay down comfortably. It’s really only big enough for her body with a tad bit of extra space in case she wants to lay down. She will NOT soil her small space unless she literally cannot hold it. As soon as you get home/wake up, take her outside with those treats and repeat number one.
3. After she eats, keep an eye on her. If she starts acting like she’s about to go (like I said in number one) take her out. Otherwise, wait about 15-20 minutes for her food to digest a bit before you take her out with treats. Wait until she goes. If she doesn’t seem like she’s going to go, bring her back inside and keep an eye on her. Try again in another 10-15 minutes until she goes outside.
4. If she goes in the house and you see her in the process, loudly yell "NO!" and clap your hands. Hopefully it will scare her enough that she’ll stop. Take her outside to finish up and give treats if/when she goes. Do not hit her, do not rub her nose in it: a dog cannot put two and two together and realize her nose is being rubbed in it because she went in the house. All she’s thinking is "why the hell is she rubbing my nose in this?" and there’s a good chance she can get a sinus infection. Hitting her also doesn’t ring a bell. She just thinks "What the hell did I do?" or "Is going to the bathroom wrong!?"
5. If she’s just finishing up, or she doesn’t stop when you yell, bring her outside after she goes and wait there for a bit in case she’s gotta do something else. Make sure the treats are with you.
6. If she goes in the house and you do NOT see her in the process, like you find it after the fact. Simply clean it up. Yelling at your dog afterward means nothing to her. She won’t understand what you’re yelling at her for, she’ll only know that you’re yelling. If the waste is still warm, take her out in case she stopped herself. If it’s cold, forget it unless she seems like she needs to go out.
7. It’s super important that you give her the treats outside. She’ll associate going to the bathroom outside with getting a treat and tons of praise. If you wait until she comes inside, the association with going to the bathroom is gone and she just thinks you’re giving her a treat for no reason.
8. Stick to a set schedule. Wake up at 7? Take her out. Bring her in. Feed her. Take her out. Crate her. Go to work. Come home. Take her out. Feed her. Take her out. Family time. Take her out. Crate her. Go to bed. Figure out which times work best for you and ALWAYS take her out as soon as she’s out of her crate and right before placing her in the crate. Eventually she’ll come to expect these potty times and wait for them.
9. Dogs are smart and they respond to positive reinforcement. If she’s rewarded for going outside, she’ll want to go outside. Because she’s small breed and her bladder is, therefor, small it could take a while to train her. The most important part of training her is to be patient and never leave her alone in a room long enough to go in the house. Pay attention and take her out when she needs to.
Jul 18, 2010 | | puppy training techniques
I am looking for the single best book I could get that has the most information about starting and running a dog training business.
This one:
So You Want to Be A Dog Trainer:
http://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Dog-Trainer-2nd/dp/0966772687
Jul 18, 2010 | | best dog training book
I currently go to college for Vet tech. but I would also love to become a professional dog trainer [learning animal psychology and training] so how do I go about this? Does anyone know of schools or programs that teach and certify in metro detroit MI??
Damn, there is a lot of BS floating around this thread. Please read all the answers, including mine, with a healthy dose of salt.
Because dog training is not regulated by the government any idiot with a well behaved labrador or golden retriever can refer to himself (or herself) as a dog trainer – heck, even an illegal immigrant with no educational background in canine behavior or psychology at all can do so, and even be featured on an International television program. Because most trainers are self-educated (both the great ones and the poor ones), it’s hard to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Check out Karen Pryor’s Training Academy (http://www.karenpryoracademy.com/about)
Most truly PROFESSIONAL and reliable trainers are self educated, through a range of seminars and symposiums and have a wall full of certificates to document their background. In recent years some professional organizations have established certification criteria, among the best of these is APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). There are other similar organizations around.
Because poor training methods result in bad behavioral disorders, one should not rule out the animal behavior programs in Universities with either a strong veterinary science or psychology department. Certification programs in canine behavior are for sure offered by Purdue and Tufts, and I’m sure there are others. The vast majority of canine behaviorists are also trainers and in fact, are among the most effective trainers in the world.
Jul 18, 2010 | | professional dog trainer
I am dog-sitting my friends 15wk old rottweiler pup. She tried to get food from my son today and when he pulled it away she but his arm and leg, puncturing the skin. My friend has 2 kids of her own and wants to know if behaviour training etc will be enough, or if she will have to re-home the dog.
My friends mother was sitting the dog, but she didn’t want to anymore, so I have her. She has been around my kids a lot, no problems before . My friend thinks something may have happened at her mothers house, but her mother is not saying anything.
A 15 week old puppy doesn’t know any better. She is doing what she would have done to her littermates if they had something she wanted. She needs to be trained that it is NOT an okay thing to do. It is NOT a sign that she will grow up to be aggressive. It just needs to be corrected.
I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that she was abused or anything else. She is going to be a BIG powerful dog who will need a strong owner. As soon as she is old enough, your friend should enroll her in puppy obedience classes. Have her keep in mind that Rottweilers were bred as working, herding dogs and they need a job. Lots of excercise and plenty of stimulation will help her be a great pet.
Jul 18, 2010 | | dog behaviour training
My son is 13 months old (too young?) and he is EXTREMELY interested in what you are doing when you are going to the bathroom. So I thought that I might be able to start potty training him but I dont know how. Can anyone help me please? Or should I wait a little longer?
Why not? I know the trend these days is to wait but my dd was ready at 14 months. I didn’t push her or anything I just got her a potty and let her sit on it. When she peed I gave her a m&m. Dont be discouraged if he loses interest just let him set the pace. Maybe if he really gets into it buy him some undies but dont scold him for accidents. Give him time and lots of encouragement.
Jul 18, 2010 | | potty training help
I have 3 months Rajapalayam puppy, How do I train my puppy?. Give some tricks for Dog training. Can I train my puppy myself?, or I need to approch a Dog trainer or Dog training school. How much will it cost?. Please give some list of dog trainner or school in chennai. Thanks in advance.
haha. Dude. Those are so cute!
I wish I had access to one. 
Start with potty training.
Pee pads may help if he doesn’t eat them.
Remove any accidents and place them outside and bring your puppy to this spot, then praise him.
Don’t scold.
When you teach him to sit, either press firmly on his bottom while you say "Sit." strongly, then treat him with praise or a biscuit.
If that doesn’t work, back him up into a wall and say "Sit." while still coming towards him. Since there’s a w all there, he has nothing else to do but sit.
You can also teach your dog to get back from something.
My dogs try to slip out the door when you leave. This is how I taught them "Back."
Walk up to an area with him near you, not leashed. Turn to him and say "Back." and stomp your foot towards him.
Do this enough times and he’ll get the hint.
You can teach him to "Go lay down" using the same concept as "Back" but pointing in the direction of his bed.
That’s usually enough for my dogs, but if you’d like more you can always consult a trainer.
Jul 18, 2010 | | puppy training school
So I think my son is starting to initiate his own potty training. 18 months old
Tells me when he goes number two. Shakes when he pees. Knows the words for his privates
When it is time to change his diaper I will ask him if he needs his bum changed, he goes in his room and lays on the floor. While Im wiping he will either tell me he can feel his peepee (penis) or that he went number two the whole time. Then he will throw his diaper in the garbage when we are all done.
First Question: Should I be putting him on a potty or is he too young?
Second Question: Good literature recommendations. 1 for me and 1 for me and him to read together he really likes books
It is never too early to potty train if the baby takes the initiative. I have a sister who was potty-trained at 9months old and did not wear pull-ups to sleep since she was a year old. Some babies just don’t like the feel of it and as soon as they can get rid of the diaper they let mommy and daddy know.
Great books for potty training for children:
Potty by Mylo Freeman- This is in the jungle with lots of animals. Its about a potty and like "Cinderella" only the best bottom will fit, but only this little african boy’s bum fits in the end. Pretty fun.
Once Upon a Potty (BOYS) by Alona Frankel
and of course the CLASSIC: Everybody Poops Written and illustrated by Taro Gomi.
Now I don’t know how well he will understand the context of the book, but the pictures will give him an idea that pooping if normal and that everyone does it.
For parents:
No-cry potty training Solution Gentle Ways to Help Your Child Say Goodbye to Diapers
Popular: Potty Training for Dummies by Diane Stafford
Professional: The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Toilet Training
Good luck
Jul 18, 2010 | | potty training books
i just got a new puppy shes a german shepers/goldent rtiver mix its a girl named Marlea. shes 6 months old.any tips are good btw dont worrie i dont ever hit her. umm ya any other tips would be great thanks!
umm no links please my computers a dinosaure lol
EDIT:sorry shes 6 weeks
The best way to train your dog is to confine the space or create train. If you are leaving for work or any period of time where you cant watch him or take him out put him in his create. He will learn to wait and that the create is his quite place. when you get home reward him and take him out. If you choose to confine the space and take him out reg. then that’s fine too. I think create training is the easiest though.
Jul 18, 2010 | | puppy potty training tips
I am considering getting a puppy to train to be a guide dog, and I am just wondering if within the state of Colorado a training puppy is exempt from having to pay added apartment pet fees and such. I know that people who are disabled do not have to pay any extra fees, but does that also pertain to guide dogs in training? I read somewhere that it depends on the state. Anyone know about Colorado?
YES! in training, graduated or assisting is covered by the same article in CO since 1995.
Gosh I hope you are licensed you could mess up the dog for good if you don’t know what you are doing. I also hope this isn’t as the first person stated you are doing it to ABUSE the law!!!
Found the law:
Jul 18, 2010 | | puppy training guide
