Hey Glen, congrats on your upcoming puppy. I have housetrained two puppies in the past couple of years and the crate method is a good plan. Don't get too big of a crate (especially for a little pug) because then the dog might choose a back corner and decide it's big enough to pee in.

One of my dogs crate trained very well, and still loves her crate, in fact she will go into it during the day to have a nap and puts herself to bed in it at night. But the other older dog was always with me as a pup and got spoiled, he always hated the crate and screamed and cried in it for weeks before I tried something else. With him, I just kept him on a strict schedule of food, water, outside to do his business, and walk. This worked perfectly with him because he was able to come to work with me until he was old enough to not even consider going to the bathroom indoors.

Re: leaving it in a crate while you work...You will be surprised how soon a young puppy can hold their pee for 8 hours... it was within a couple of months with both of my pups and they are both notoriously hard breeds to housetrain. It seems mean to leave a puppy alone in a crate but it's not if you can give the dog appropriate attention (as you mentioned already) when you can supervise it.

The third option, paper training, well I guess some people swear by it but I know too many dogs who will (into adulthood) pee on any piece of paper left on the floor... books, the phone bill, flyers... yikes. Actually I know one pug this happened with. Another idea I am interested in (because my Daisy is about to have pups, in the winter), is you can buy grass-scented training pads for the dogs to pee on. Supposedly it is different enough from newspaper or the floor that you can train them to only pee on things that smell like grass... so when you let them outside, there is no confusion.

I'm sure with all the good advice you already got, you will have heard not to "rub their nose in it". I'm horrified how many people I hear still giving this advice.

Sorry for rambling, hope this helped some. Good luck!!

We crate trained all our dogs. The method works great resulting in a quick training period. Even after they're trained, most dogs love their crates as Gillian mentions - it becomes their indoor doghouse where they feel really secure.

I think it would be confusing for a young puppy to mix up the training - both paper and outside. I'm wondering if there is a neighbor you could ask a favour of for a few weeks, to let the pup out on days when you're not able to?

Our real estate agent in Ottawa had a Pug. We got to know her when we were selling our house in January and the agent mentioned their dog refused to go outside when it was cold - just flat out refused. If they physically picked the dog up and put it outside, it would just stand there (freezing) and not go pee. So they trained it to use a litter box which the dog used in the winter months. Perhaps this could be another option? I don't know - our dogs have all been big and the thought of them in a litterbox makes me shudder, but for a small dog such as a pug, and in particular a pug puppy - perhaps it's do-able.

My neighbor used the training pads - she got her little fluffy puppy in the winter as well. I didn't know they were grass scented, though. She continually moved the pads closer to the door, and then finally quit using the pads and the dog went outside. Except for a long time the dog kept going on the mat in front of the door instead.

Good luck with your pup, Glen. They're such fun creatures to have about.

BTW - male or female, and what's its name going to be?

Glen, We're lucky enough our dogs are big hairy outside dogs, so they only come in to visit and didn't need to be housetrained, but I have known people to use both methods.
My roommate after college paper trained her puppy and I gotta say it was just messy and a real pain in the neck. I think the crate method would be better for their mind...most dogs don't want to pee in the house or on the floor, they do it because that's the only option. Besides that it can become an ongoing issue if they don't get over doing it even when they are going outside.
Its challenging when you're not home all day, but I agree with Pudge. Try to find a neighbor who could let the puppy out of its crate for its business while you're gone too long and/or take him/her with you when you can. Its only temporary, like Gil says, they'll hold their bladders longer soon enough. That way it won't be confused either.

I've always had misgivings about the crate method because I feel dogs are a part of the family and should have their freedom, but I think if its not used when you don't have to and when lifestyle and dog size and breed dictates it, its better in the long run for you and the dog. Good luck! Do we get to see baby pictures? Is this your first?

Toots

Thanks for the helpful advice. It's a male pug, and his name will be Pugsley. Actually, there are two males from which we get to choose, and next weekend we are going to see if we can visit them and pick him out (though they won't be ready until late Oct.) I had an adult dog, but she was already house broken. Actually, she now lives with my parents, just because she loved it out in the country and their dog had passed away, so she helped ease their sorrow (I didn't have the nerve to ask for her back). This is my first puppy other than a puppy we had when I still lived at home.

Those pee pads that smell like grass sound like a good idea. Anything to help. I did read lots of information about NOT rubbing his nose in his messes or excessive yelling. A simple "no" will do. They also said that unless you catch him in the act, no use punishing because he won't remember what he did 5 minutes ago on the living room carpet.

I did read about small breed dogs using a litter box. That's sort of funny, but I guess effective. My only worry would be the cat using the same litter box.

Speaking of newspaper training, we had a puppy when I was a teenager and we paper trained him. Eventually he did make the "transition" and started doing his business outside. One day, however, I guess he really had to go because my dad had left newspaper on the basement floor with a can of paint on it, and he went on that. I was actually impressed that years later he still remembered the paper thing.

The pug puppy is from a girl I work with, her cousin, so we've already been supplied with pics. I will try to post when I can.

Thanks again for all the support and advice,
Glen

I taught puppy-training classes for years, and I agree that the crate method is best, if you can. I encourage people to train their dogs to go on command. Get real excited when he goes potty outside, pet him and say, "Good boy, Pugsley, go potty outside!" If a dog can learn what "sit" means, it can learn what "potty" means. It's very convenient when your grown dog runs to the door to be able to ask him whether he has to go potty. He might just want to go play! When a puppy goes in the house, I point to it and say "No! No potty in the house!" They learn very quickly. Be patient. Punishment can make him nervous and make the problem worse. Also, a pup doesn't always have complete control of his bladder until he's four months old.

You also might try leaving newspaper by the door - just in case. Don't teach him to use it, but also don't get upset if he does. When he does, pick up the soiled paper, and take it and him outside, and say, "Go potty OUTSIDE." Firmly, but not harshly. He will learn that newspaper is OK, but outside is better.

For those of us who have very cold winters, you can also teach your dog "Hurry go potty!" by using urgency in your voice. Then praise and quickly go back inside.

I wonder about those grass-scented pads. If the dogs only go on things that smell like grass, what do they do when they're outside in the snow? :-)

Sue

Our first dog was a German Shepherd that we got while living in Germany and about 9 months before our return to Canada. The area we lived in Germany didn't get snow in winter, just a lot of rain and fog.

The day of our return some things got messed up with the flights and our dog landed up in his crate for a few hours more than originally intended. Then back in Canada we had to wait for someone from Agriculture Canada to clear animals thru customs and by the time we finally got this dog outside I thought for sure his bladder would be bursting. So we finally do get outside and DH takes the dog to pee but there's snow everywhere and the dog can't figure it out at all. So DH scrapes away some snow with this boot to uncover some grass and the dog figures it out and does his business.

Then, of course, he proceeded to figure out how much fun snow can be...soft landings, rolling, eating, LOL. Even our two canine girlies, ages 12 and 6, still get excited on the first snow of the year - they love it. Except for the little iceballs that form in their feet (warm feet + cold snow = formation of iceballs = dogs limping)

That's a good point Pudge, my dogs are both dwarf breeds so DH shovels trails for them in the back yard in the winter. I guess they figured out that way that grass + snow = still ok to pee on.

My Dachsie cross grows long hair between his toes and I cut it because it builds up stuff too. I guess if he was outside for a long time he would need the hair but the ice seems to be a worse problem.

Glen, did you get Pugsley yet? How are things going? The thought of a new puppy makes me want one too. Our neighbor just got a baby Beagle and oh, so cute.

Thanks for asking, yes, we brought him home Oct 28th, a week earlier than originally planned. His owner was finding it a bit of a handful with 7 puppys in her kitchen, plus she was dropping off two of the puppies in Elm Creek so we only had to drive an hour to pick him up. He slept all the way home.

I read horror stories on the internet about a puppyÂs first days at your home, lots of crying, etc. I think that scared me more than anything. The first two nights he woke up approx every two hours and did cry. They say not to run and comfort him but we couldnÂt help it, the little guy missed his family and really didnÂt know us at that point. The second night he pretty well slept about 5 hours before waking up and crying. We didnÂt run to him and he played a bit, did his business, then went back to bed. Now he pretty well is sleeping through the night or if he doesnÂt, he just wakes up and plays a bit, then goes back to bed. Sure, he sometimes complains, but no different than if we leave the room. Sometimes heÂll just play by himself or sleep, other times he whines a bit.

If you recall, my main worry was whether to paper train or crate train. We had bought a 3x3 exercise pen to keep him in, but there really wasnÂt room in the kitchen for it. Plus it seemed flimsy. So, we just gated off the kitchen and are keeping him in there. HeÂs pretty well paper trained (a couple of accidents) and now we are working on taking him outside when we are home. Even though my yard is small and fenced in, I follow him around because he likes to eat everything and I donÂt want him to get sick. Plus, a lot of times itÂs dark when IÂm taking him outside so harder to see what heÂs trying to eat.

The only frustrating thing is his biting phase. He gets into these hyper moods where he can sit still and starts biting or tugging at your socks. We tell him "no biting" and he does stop sometimes, but sometimes he comes right back at you thinking itÂs a game.

Overall though, heÂs very sweet. The lady did warn us, however, saying heÂs basically full of energy and mischief. Of course he does have those times when he just wants to cuddle. I will have to work on getting a photo on photobucket so I can post it here.

BTW, we have been using those pee pads and though I was skeptical at first (thinking it was the latest marketing gimick), they do seem better than newspaper. At the very least the dog doesn't chew them up and rip them (though he tugs at them) and they absorb pretty good. They really vary in price, but we found the hartz brand at walmart for $10 for 32 pads. There were other brands but some were more like $15 for only 15 pads and we figured the hartz should be good.

Glen

He sounds like a sweetheart, Glen - looking forward to pictures!

I'm glad it's all working out, Glen. It's never as scary as "they say" in the end, is it?

He sounds adorable, Glen.
DH and I were remenising (how do you spell that anyway?) the other day about when we got our two pups (5 years ago now). Your story about Pugsley crying his first night, was excaclty like our first night! We put them in the bathtub with a bed and a hotwater bottle and they even had each other, but they had to start crying and making a fuss. I kept nudging DH (I'm tougher than he is. LOL!) and telling him to ignore them and go back to sleep and they'd go to sleep...then maybe we'd get some sleep. But he had to keep ckecking on them and comforting them...they have a way of tearing at the heart strings, don't they? Anyways he'd shine the flashlight on them and there they were looking like little puppets over the edge of the tub...too cute. I gave up. The funny thing was how they'd instantly shut up as soon as the flashlight was on them and we were up, then start up again on que when we'd turn the light off. I think it only was like that the first night. Much ado about nothing!

Glad to hear he's catching on to his training well. Those pads seem like a practical idea. Sounds like you're going to need some serious chew toys! Or maybe tug 'o' war toys are more like it.

Toots :^)

Hey Glen, belated congratulations on little Pugsley! How's he doing? And what colour is he, fawn, or black or...? Thanks for the additional info on the Hartz training pads. Our litter is almost 4 weeks old already. I bought a pack of pads at three weeks, and they figured them out right away! I can't believe how smart the little pups are. Sometimes they miss the edge... but they try. It's going to be hard when the time comes to sell them - they're so cute and hilarious!

Glen or Gillian, please post pictures. Would love to see the pup(pies).

Brenda

Gillian, I saw the separate posting of your pictures and they are so cute. I hope there's an improvement when Maizie goes back to the vet in two weeks. It's easy to fall in love with them, that's for sure. The lady who I got Pugsley from said she won't breed her dogs again. She enjoyed the experience but found it to hard when it came time to give up the puppies. She even found a dog Christmas ornament in the store that read "Pugsley" on it and gave it to my friend at work to pass on to me.

Anyways, and I hope this works, here is a picture of pugsley taken recently, after he dismantled his bed and turned it upside down. He does have calm periods, every so often, but overall he's very energetic.

As for housetraining, yes he's a pro at the pee pads. We try to get him to go outside but it's hit or miss. If he doesn't have to pee he won't walk around outside, he'll just run back to the back door to go back inside. I can't say I really blame him, since it's been so blustery and cold lately.

Glen

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"Aww, I'm really a good boy, Dad, and I'm so darn cute. I thought I would just show you what my bed looked like this way."

He's just so sweet, Glen.

OK, you guys, I think I'm going to start working on DH again. I want a puppy so bad now.

Shauna

Pugsley is ADORABLE! and *perhaps* a little spoiled judging by all the toys? LOL

How big will he get Glen?

He certainly is a handsome fella.

Awww what a little cutie Glen! He looks like he's planning more trouble. LOL @ how pristine his toys are - most of the dog toys in my house are in pieces.

That really is a "Who? Me?" look! LOL

Thanks so much. I am hoping he stays fairly small, though apparently pugs can grow 17 to 21 pounds, someone was saying even up to 25 pounds. They are considered a 'toy' breed but the largest of the toy breed. The one thing the vet did caution us on is not to overfeed him. He's an ideal weight now but apparently they are prone to obesity quite easily if overfed. I'm thinking it's time to try to get him used to a lease and see if I can take him for short walks (if it's not too cold).

He definitely is an active dog, a bit overwhelming at times, but he sort of listens (sometimes) when you tell him "no bite". He's been mostly in the kitchen. When we let him into the living room he runs around like crazy and tries to eat the cat's food.

Tonight was a bit better outside. I took him to a spot along side of the house that he likes to pee (it's more sheltered) and he left and starting running to the house (to go back inside). I kept asking him "do you have to go to the washroom" and he came back and did his business. There's hope!

Glen

Ohhh Glen I can so relate to house breaking. We have been trying to potty train a miniature Dachshund. He is a Christmas gift for hub's mother.
I have housebroken 4 Shelties but this Dachsie takes the cake. I have never seen anything so stubborn in my life. He will go potty outside every time I take him out, but he will also go inside, usually 5 mins after we come in. Its like he just goes enough outside so I think "Good, he's finished!" then inside and BAM.
We have him crate trained at night, he will sleep from 11PM until 9 AM if I don't have to get up for work in the morning, but we just can't get the hang of the daytime stuff!
He's really cute, and I will miss him when he is gone, but I will not miss the messes!
If we can get him 80% housebroken before the 23rd I'll be happy.

I RECENTLY GOT A YORKIE SHIHTZU AND IT REFUSES TO USE THE PAPER OF ANY KIND, I TRIED TAKING HIM OUTSIDE ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND THE NIGHT AND HE STILL USES THE FLOOR WHEN HE COMES BACK IN, I HAVE TRIED CRATING AND THAT DIDN'T WORK AND EVEN WENT AN PURCHASED A EXERCISE PEN AND HE STILL USES IT OFF HIS PAD WHAT CAN I DO?

Did you get him from a pet store? I have heard that puppies from pet stores are sometimes impossible to crate train because they have been forced to go to the bathroom right in their cage all their lives. Also if he's very young he will have very little control over his bladder. Like none at all until 8 weeks old in some dogs.

Take advantage of the times he naturally goes. Most puppies will go poo within 1/2 hour of eating, and will pee right after waking up from a nap and after playing. Take him outside then. Make sure he knows what you want him to do. Go outside with him, stand there until he does it, and tell him he's the best puppy in the world, and give him a treat. I know this is easier in the summer than the winter. It is just horrible in the winter, and the puppy won't want to go out. I give mine a treat for going out, then another treat for doing their business. But even if/when he starts making progress, he will have some accidents and you have to be understanding. If it's an extreme case and nothing's working, talk to a vet or trainer. Hope you get it figured out.

p.s. you should also be feeding him at exactly the same time every day, either 2 or 3 times a day. Any food that is not eaten in one sitting should be removed and offered at the next scheduled feeding. This will help his bathroom schedule, and is also important in his later behaviour training.

First of all, I am really no expert, but can maybe pass along some tips since I've recent gone through the housebreaking thing. It can be difficult and takes a lot of patience. My pup was pretty well paper trained from day one but after a while that got sort of frustrating when he starting dragging pee pads and chewing them and then peeing in the spot where the pee pad used to be.

I find that after 5-1/2 months he is really just starting to be more dependable now and getting the hang of peeing only outside. But, I read that pugs can be more difficult to house train.

He now seems to have better control to hold it longer, such as when we are gone from the house to go to work. He still has some accidents, but sometimes it's our fault if we're home because we don't realize that he's asking to go out.

As he's aged and his fur has become thicker, he seems to be able to spend more times outdoors. That and milder weather really help. I still go outside with him, I'm just protective of him. He gets treats whenever he pees, but only a crumbled bit of his biscuit. One thing too, if you take him outside and he just runs back to the door to go in, pick him up and take him back to the area where you want him to pee. It doesn't always work, but often he might decide to pee the second time. Also, you will find they are easily distracted so if he's about to pee outside and the neighbor comes out of his/her door, puppy might start barking instead of peeing.

My pup definitely has to go whenever he wakes up from a nap. In fact, sometimes if it's before bed I'll wake him up to take him out, or if I get up at 3 a.m. I might take him out as well. I sort of keep track and drag him outside if it's been too long. I figure the more he goes to the washroom outside the more it becomes habit and is engrained in him.

Today we visited his Grandparents and he did go by the back door to go outside, which is great because I worry about him having accidents inside others peoples homes. Plus I started thinking maybe he's really starting to realize not to pee inside anyone's house.

Good luck, hang in there,it will get better,
Glen

Also, clean up any messes with vinegar - it takes the scent away!

Anyplace the pup has peed - try feeding him there, because they usually don't like going pee where they eat or sleep.

You could try getting one of those pherome things shaped like a fire hydrant. Dogs smell it (smells like pee I guess) and when they go pee there, you can also give a cookie. Give a command when the dog pees, "Go whizzies, good boy go whizzies) then give cookie. Then if you're going for a long drive or something you can give the command when it's convenient for you.

Another way is to keep the pup tied to you (leash, etc.) so that you always have him around you and can notice the signs that puppies give - circling around and smelling the floor. Then you can take him outside at that moment. Give praise when job is done!

Good luck!
Carol

We got our new puppy on Thursday - 6 weeks old. He'll be living outside when he gets bigger, but for now he's in the house. I swear the little critter has grown already. Blizzard is mostly white right now, with some tan coming in on his ears and face. He's mostly lab with the rest unknown, so we'll see what we get. This has been very interesting reading. We've never had an indoor dog, so the whole housebreaking thing is new territory. He's already paper-trained himself - don't ask me why it was so easy - maybe because he liked to use the smelly old carpet runners in the porch, and we put the newspaper on top of the carpet. I'm glad I haven't replaced them yet - the new ones are still sitting downstairs in storage. I suspect getting him to let us know when he needs to go outside is going to be a whole different story, although he will go every time we take him out.
Connie

How exciting Connie, we want pictures!!

Only one of my dogs ever regularly lets us know when she wants to go out... Daisy will whine at the back door. Spud doesn't whine but will hold it for hours and hours without complaining. The puppies are getting good now, Luke is very good and Missie is slightly less so, she doesn't like going out because it's still cold. I have to pick her up and put her out. She does the funniest thing, she knows she can't come back in until I have seen her pee, so if I miss it, she will look at me and squat and "pretend" as many times as it takes for me to let her in. Funny little girl.

Here's a picture of Blizzard.
Connie
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Oh Glen and Connie, your puppies are adorable!

Connie, Blizzard is a cutie and aptly named. He looks so soft.

Pugsley won't really ask to go out, but will stand sort of near the back door and look at you.

I would get discouraged with every accident he had in the house, but then five minutes later when he did pee outside I would be encouraged and hopeful. Eventually, I guess just by repeatedly going outside, he seems to be getting the idea (though still has some accidents).

That picture of Pugsley seems outdated, they really do grow up fast and it's neat to watch their development.

It's funny, I was talking to this girl at work whose Mom has a dog that's part pug. She says he goes wild and jumps on the couch and tries to jump on people's shoulders and head. I thought to myself "that's just like my dog!"

Overall it's been a blast having him around and I am so happy I got him. FYI, excuse the 'blue eye' in the picture (it's the pug equivalent of red eye).

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Oooh they are both so cute! Connie, blizzard looks like he's going to be well equipped to be an outside dog. If he's developing tan on his ears and face, he might have some Siberian Husky in him.

Husky would be okay. Like I said, he's mostly lab - dad was yellow lab, as far as they know, and mom was found abandoned. She seems to be a good part lab, maybe some blue heeler, and the rest unknown. Our last two dogs were both malamute crosses, and they were good dogs. Right now Blizzard and the cat spend a lot of time wrestling. If he ignores her too long, she sneaks up behind him and jumps on him.
Connie

When we trained our 2 dogs I hung a sm bell on a string from the back door handle. Everytime I was carrying them out I would ring the bell. Now if they want to go out, they first come look at me - which to me could be hi, I'm hungry, what are you doing?, etc. - and if I don't get up they go ring the bell.

I remember when they were very very young we use to carry them from their cage outside, never letting them walk around. They very quickly caught on that outside was the place to be immediately, then they could explore, play. Oh yes, they also discovered that all treats were outside only! Mona