How to Use the Puppy Play Den for Solid Puppy Training!
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- Learn how to use a puppy play den for potty training, chew toy training, and alone time management **** Download the FREE Simpawtico Basic Gear Buyer’s Guide here: geni.us/buyers...
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About this video: In this video, Ian Stone from Simpawtico Dog Training shows you the how and why of a puppy play den for long-term confinement. Get potty training on the fast track, avoid chewing mistakes, and teach your puppy to enjoy alone time. It’s so easy to do! We’ll show you how!
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Please don't stop posting! Your videos are super clear and well produced, I'm sure it helped thousands of people like me.
Thank you!
Not certain about the points made but ,if anyone else trying to find out how do i stop my puppy barking try Panlarko Perfect Canine Planner (do a google search ) ? Ive heard some interesting things about it and my mate got amazing results with it.
Agreed
I just got a new puppy and am bummed that you don't seem to be making any more videos !! I am devouring the ones posted but I sure wish you'd keep making tutorials; they're succinct, easy to follow and break down issues into bite- sized pieces. Thank you for your years of work and commitment to the dog communities : )
Finally a video for us "working stiffs" who love our pups
Craig Garbulski yes!
Yes
Yes
Great video as usual!
Btw thank you for acknowledging not everyone will be able to take their puppie’s outside to potty. Living in an apartment, the weewee pads have been super helpful.
Sure thing. Life doesn't always cooperate, I know.
As a new puppy owner, I want to praise Sympawtico’s advice. I had difficulty crate training my pup as she whined for a long time on the first night. It was also difficult to leave her alone the following day as the crate made her antsy. I didn’t want to make the crate a negative experience so I invested in an exercise pen and a bunch of Kong toys. I work from home but cannot supervise my puppy all the time. The play den really does create an environment where my puppy learns to be alone in confidence. I left my puppy this evening to go to dinner, came home and she was just hanging out.
No whining, nothing destroyed. If you’re a new puppy owner I cannot extol the virtues of a puppy play pen. Spend the extra cash and get an exercise pen, it’ll do you good.
Super, Brian! I'm really happy to hear that things are moving more smoothly. Good work!
Im getting a puppy in 5 weeks and Im binge watching your videos! Tysm for being so ambitous and i love your videos!
Congratulations on your new (upcoming) puppy!
me two!!!!
Your video format is incredible. Easy to understand, yet professional and not skeptical.
Thank you!
I agree. Thanks!
Hi! I'm getting my puppy soon and I'm looking for a way to help with not having to wake up every 2 hours at night to let the puppy out to pee.. Is the puppy apartment a good alternative for this? or there really isn't an easier way of doing it and I'll just have to bite the bullet and wake up every 2 hours to let the puppy out to potty?
Your response will be greatly appreciated!
They say to let him or her out for the last toilet of the night. They should then be ok for the time your asleep.
Your videos are amazing! I’m going to be a newly puppy owner of a golden retriever soon. However, I like in a high rise with a balcony area. Two questions, 1. Should I use the balcony area as a relax plus bathroom area once the puppy gets older, if so what age? 2. The puppy den is awesome, but how about at night? Do I keep the puppy in the crate or live her in the den. Sorry one more question, should I have the crate in my bedroom also to help relieve the puppy’s stress being alone or away from me? Thank you hope you gets these questions!
Perfect, just what I needed, since I'm currently training my rescue beagle to stay alone for a bit - thank you :)
How I transition my potty trained/ house trained/ crate trained dog away from the puppy play den? I am doing this with my new puppy and want to know what my options are in the future.
Can you do a video that transitions the puppy out of their puppy apartment? How to tell if they are ready? And when to remove the indoor bathroom? Also how to keep up with outdoor potty training with heavy snow fall! (I live in Canada and we have snow up to our knees right now!) I was thinking if literally digging out a potty spot, but what if they refuse to go because it so cold?
I've been binging your videos this past week and I've gotta say, I've learned more about babies and children on your channel than years of watching mommy videos 😬😂 well of course about dogs too, which I'm grateful for because we're planning to get a dog this summer 🙂
I love the idea of putting sod in a litter box! I do have a question though... how often would I need to change out the sod?
I would also like to know the answer to this - is fake grass also a possibility?
Same, but instead of sod I would be using desert sand and rocks since it’s everywhere here where I live at
How often would I need to mow it? No, seriously. We have grass here everywhere but where would I even find sod in the middle of winter?
N
Thanks, So if we need to use gravel or concrete, then it's just replaced as needed? As it can't be cleaned up...
Help pretty please. My pup loves his crate but when I put him in the kitchen with his crate toys loo etc he goes nuts. Should I build his confidence using the crate first then give him more room? I don't really want to keep him in his crate for more than 2 hours but he'll happily sleep in there all day if I let him. Thank you! I've been recommending your videos to everyone I speak to!
So wondering how you get the puppy to use the “home made” toilet in the pen?
Transfer some of their urine and feces to the toilet while making sure to clean up any accidents in other areas with an enzymatic cleaner. A microscopical bit of poo and pee will be enough to make the toilet smell like a toilet. The smell will guide them to their proper toiletting place. You can also lift them to the toilet if you notice behaviors such as circling and sniffing the ground.
What are the thoughts on settling a puppy at night and do you recommend a certain night routine for a new puppy?
The only reason why I use puppy pads this time, is because I can take them with me on the night train when we go to visit my family who lives 120 miles away. On a 12 hour journey without any stops, it's impossible to go out and take the puppy for a walk.
Awesome video! I was wondering if using a puppy den changes nighttime routine at all? Should we still be getting up fairly often or does the puppy den allow for wiggle room with that? And should the puppy stay in the bedding/crate at night? Thank you!
It'll give you a *little* wiggle room, but taking the puppy outside as often as possible will only speed up your potty training. I would still grind through it myself, but the den can give you some relief.
Hi Ian I love your video and your method! This one really hit the issue I am facing which my puppy refuse to use the pads because they are quilted and feel like their crate liner. Making that toilet tomorrow! Don't want to get outside all the time in Canadian winter lol.
Love these videos. I’m getting a rescue puppy this weekend! You really give good realistic advice. I’ll be referencing these videos for many months to come as I’m training Rocco. Thank you!
GREAT VIDEO
My puppies soil preference is wood shavings and gravel.
What makes me worry about leaving them in a play den, is they'll probably eat their feces while I'm not around 😞
Great video, as always! It would be really great, if you could make a video on the first week or month when having a new rescue dog. What to consider, what to do, how to feed, when to feed, what to train first, how to build trust and so on! Thanks for your excellent work!
I definitely second this!
Thank you for these videos! Sadly we don't live near you, otherwise we would 100% be using your training facility - but these videos have proven more helpful than any of the trainers we have found around our area. Thank you!!!!
My pleasure! Thanks for the kind feedback!
What if all we have outside right now is snow, tons and tons of snow 😫
Time to shovel the grass, haha. That's what I do during the winter for my dogs.
I tried to use a Fresh Patch in my puppy’s pen but she just wants to chew on the grass and base of it. Any ideas on how to deter her from doing that?
I’m confused. When do I use the play den and when do I use the crate? I’m reading Dr Dunbar’s book and it seems like at first you keep the puppy in the crate all the time except when you take them outside to potty. Is that right? It seems cruel to keep a puppy continually in a crate. When do you play?
Hi Sherri. I think you missed something in both the video and Dr. Dunbar's book. In the early stages, there's definitely a high level of confinement in the home, but it's either: in the play den when you can't supervise them, in a gated off room (with you), on a leash/tether with you, or in a crate (the least often used). Always potty BEFORE play, but definitely spend a good deal of time playing with them. They need to leave the house, too. Gotta get off the property for socialization. But in any event, like I said, there's going to be a fair amount of confinement in the first two or three weeks while you dial in the potty training. It's the most urgent need to guarantee a happy life (for both of you). You can take them out to play as often as you want, just potty first, and no play if no potty. Simple as that.
These videos have been super helpful! I love the tips you give and the way everything is simple and easy but makes a huge impact. I have two adult dogs and now a puppy as well. Using these videos has made working with my puppy fun and simple giving me more time to just have fun with him.
Hi!
I am bringing home an 8 week old puppy and I have two cats. I my husband and I both work, and we cannot come home during the day to let out the pup. The doggy den will be our best option!
We have a spare bedroom to create a den. How big is too big of a room?
LOVE this idea! Question: How long is too long to leave a 10 week old puppy in this type of play den? We don't have too big of an apartment and this playden will be taking up our kitchen. Which is a huge space (in relation to the rest of the apartment). Is it bad to just have that be HER space?
I’m curious about this as well...did it work well for you?
Should this be used after puppy has mastered the crate training? Or is it mixed in with crate training?
Hi Brittany. It should be mixed together. Both of those things should be happening simultaneously. 😉
Simpawtico Dog Training thank you for the fast reply! Would make a great video on how to do both 😊
Awesome vid..One of the best dog training channels on youtube.. Cheers..
Thank you!
When you say to line the tray with “grass” is the fake grass okay (the plastic stuff) or is that too different from real grass?
Love your videos
Hi Nichole! You'll want to use real grass for sure. Your dog will absolutely know the difference!
Simpawtico Dog Training thank you so much I had a feeling they would 😂
I usually keep the puppy in her kennel or strapped to a chair in the middle of the room. We let her go run around in the house and play with our big dog
Thanks so much for sharing your expertise. Here goes!
I am adopting a new puppy this month. I have been watching your videos and I admire you, so much! I have to work, unfortunately, and am interested in building or buying a puppy play den. May I ask your opinion on the puppy apartment? Also, do you have specific videos or books you recommend for new puppies? I appreciate any feedback.
Hi Holly. I personally don't like the Puppy Apartment. It's too small to have any of the other features listed here comfortably, and they're totally reliant on pads. You can't have any room for chew toys, or work-to-eat toys, or water. I suppose you could replace the pad with the DIY toilet. I dunno...I feel like one you make yourself is going to be custom-fit for your home and your dog. A pre-made product is always going to limit you, I feel.
As for books or videos, here goes:
Ian Dunbar's book, "Before and After You Get Your Puppy"
Sophia Yin's book, "Perfect Puppy in 7 Days"
Micheal Ellis's DVD "Raising Your Puppy"
Hope that helps.
Simpawtico Dog Training You actually answered me! Wow, I’m really so appreciative! After rewatching some of your videos, I think I could build a better mousetrap and spend the extra monies on good training toys. I love watching your videos. I wish there was one specific to bringing home a tiny puppy, after its leaving its mother and litter and what that first week might or should look like. Thank you fir all your videos and for your time!
Thank you I and my cousen are getting yorkies🐕
I have a question for Ian! Thanks for all the amazing advice.
I am getting a puppy in a few weeks and am planning out my puppy den. The puppy will typically potty in the marshes behind our house or in a mulch/wood chip area outside. Im worried that the puppy will chew or eat wood chips if I put them in their indoor doggy toilet unsupervised. Should I just use sod at first to prevent this? Maybe I should put the wood chips below the sod so the smell is still there to associate with going in the correct areas outdoors? Thanks!!
Great info as always but... This video did not address two important questions. How often to replace the sod? And is fake sod ok or do you want real sod? How can you get real sod in the winter? Any alternative suggestions?
You mentioned to only feed with chew toys and not use bowls. Is that only meant for the playing den or is it generally better to feed with chew toys only in the first few months?
So after setting up my 10 week old puppy's crate and play yard, it took him exactly two hours to figure out how to climb over it.
Mine took two days but would still stay in it if she wanted, then decided she didn’t want to ... ever. We started with a play yard we had anyway, then got an expen. The expen worked for a week and a half until she scaled it too.
Did you find a solution or just ditch the expen and do something else?
Patti Chesser that’s why I chose the crate and just dealt with accidents. Plus she lost her mind in the ex pen
Omg your the first one to mention sod! That’s a brilliant idea! I’m so gonna try it!
I live in an apartment and don't have concrete or grass around. Do you recommend using the Second Nature Dog Litter system?
My puppy will not chew on the kong or other stuffed toys I provide when she is in her den. She just sits and whines and has now started barking. Help
I was wondering if you could do a video on training for puppies under 8 weeks? I foster a lot of orphan pups and want to start them on the right track for future homes. Right now I'm totally just coating a playpen in puppy pads and hoping for the best. I can't find many resources for this age group. Thanks!
Hi Noel. Best resources I can point you towards are Jane Killion's work with Puppy Culture, and Ian Dunbar's book "Before and After You Get Your Puppy." There's a free eBook version of the "Before You Get Your Puppy" section on my website and it's all birth to 8 weeks. Jane Killion has a bunch of great resources for super young puppies. Hope that helps!
Simpawtico Dog Training ah, thank you very much!
Your videos have come at a great time! Very clear and precise. I’ve been confused by the endless articles online. I’m just in my first week with my first puppy ever. She currently hates alone time whether in her den or crate. She just sleeps or sulks until I take her out. How do I get her to love it better?
These videos are the best. Clear, concise, and Ian comes across as very knowledgable and kind. Thank you for making this great content!!
You're very welcome! Thank you for the kind feedback!
We just got a puppy and have been watching and implementing your strategies! Our puppy is already learning! thank you!
You're welcome!
My pup is fully trained..potty and is able to do tricks but when I bath him and groom him he Bites me what can I do
Great video!! does this mean if you've got this set up that you don't have to crate your puppy when going to work?? (2-3 hours at a time for me)
We live in indoor apartments and outside compound of apartment is filled with stray dogs . Can u elaborate on indoor potty training? And videos on creative indoor games to play with our pups
How do you keep the DIY puppy toilet from smelling? I was leery of investing in that because pads are easier to pick up and throw away without much fuss.
Well, you don't. The smell is part of why it works. You can minimize it for your own comfort by picking up the poops and replacing the substrate regularly...just like you would a cat or even a guinea pig. It does take more work than pads, but good things usually do.
Simpawtico Dog Training how do you keep the dog from eating and tearing the grass apart? We are working on take it or leave it but she still goes nuts for grass!!!
i have an exercise pen for my puppy chihuahua who is 2 months old. im using potty pads for him in his pen because we have a major flea problem at our complex ive also put his food dish in there with his water bowl. bed and blanks/ toys all opposite corners. Are the potty pads a problem for eventually getting him to go potty outdoors? I will remove the food dish from his puppy palace/apartment thanks for that info.
Yes, the pads will ultimately hinder your outdoor training. On the other hand, though, I understand trying to avoid fleas. Once those little bastards get a foot-hold in your home it's tough.
Such a needed video. I was so worried about potty training but this gives me ideas
Ian, you are appreciated. My 8 week will be here soon.
I almost feel like crying cuz this video is so good!!! Good stuff man you are extremely enthusiatic love the vids man!
I bought a nice play pen for my 5 lb cockapoo puppy, put all the trimmings in there and he escaped after 1 1/2 hrs climbed up and over. Anyone know how to escape proof a pen
Great video as per usual! Your videos have helped me learn so much and I wanted to say thank you!!
You're very welcome!
WOW - what a great concept! Worth waiting for! You would be amazed how great Jake and Becca are doing. When I think back 18 months - the difference is unbelievable. You would be proud. Many thanks!
Thanks! Was thinking about you all the other day. Happy to hear you both and the doggies are doing well! And, I AM proud!
If you’ve been training your puppy to go outside & then leave it with a homemade toilet, like you suggested, with the same material as what’s in the garden, will they just know to use that or will you have to teach them to use that alongside outside potty training?
Ostensibly it should appeal to them enough that it will keep there from being mistakes while you're gone. Don't spend too much time on it, but set up the environment to make it obvious and appealing as a toilet.
Simpawtico Dog Training Alright thank you!
Careful about not having a pen... my pup ate the walls
My puppy has been home and supervised for the past two weeks. Is it too late to introduce a puppy play den?
Nope! Go for it!
This rocked. We had pee pads in our puppy play den until Bingo resorted to just only tearing them to shreds. I noticed that he wasn’t ever going potty in there anymore. I took them out and he has been doing great never pottying in his play den. Only exceptions are twice when he had really loose poop and couldn’t hold it. (Soupy poopy mess) he has been pretty dialed in on his potty training and has had very very few accidents in the house. We usually don’t do any long confinement and take him to daycare when we can’t be with him. I’m wondering, should I introduce a toilet like you have here?
Hi! Sounds like you're at the tail-end of potty training anyways and have a decent management plan in place. The DIY toilet really works best right out of the starting gate, so I wouldn't think you'd need to introduce it now. Hope that helps!
Any advice on the right size guide for playpen?
I have a 14 week old puppy that goes potty on grass. We have a second home that only has rocks in the yard. How will I teach him to go on the rocks?
Hi Mary. In that case, doing a second potty training regimen at the second house ought to do it. The puppy will generalize as he gets older, but for now, use the advantage of the non-generalized second environment to teach it. Schedule-structure-supervision; thats the key!
I am so grateful this video crossed my path before we brought our Olde English Bulldog puppy. Of all your videos this is the one that has served me the most so far. Our girl had an unfortunate bought of diarrhea/stomach bug for over a week and if we did not have this set up I would have lost my mind since she was pooping in her crate because she was going so often and could not hold it.
We used an exercise pen and a 36” wire crate with divider and a cover on it and put it in the living room where she can still feel she’s hanging out with us while in there. She really enjoys spending time in there with her Kong so it’s a great place to get her to settle down when she gets too bite driven and excited. For a waterproof floor I used a large plastic sheet that was designed to put under rolling office chair and that works perfectly for the space and messes clean up easily. Thanks again for all the advice your channel offers especially the puppy videos
Lisandra Matthews thanks for sharing. The plastic office chair mat sounds like a brilliant idea!
Aye bro love the work that you didn’t and appreciate the video! Definitely had to get you a shoutout and subscribe!
Your videos are a LIFESAVER!!!!!
In a few weeks we are getting our frenchie (she will be 12weeks by then) and we are looking for a play den for her for the time we will be at work.
Your video on this topic is great but one info i can't find anywhere is how big it should be.
Some say it should be quite small and some say pretty big.
Is there a size you could recommend?
Our current options are 120x80cm, 160x80cm or 125cm in diameter
OK, so how does one clean up the mess on a concrete block or gravel or even a piece of sod??????
That’s so useful. I like the litter tray and grass idea - I’ll be trying this when we get our pup 🙂
Great video! Do you have any advice if puppy made accident in the play pen area? My 10-week old puppy ignores the fake grass toilet i set up (she had no problem with real grass outdoor) and she pees anywhere but that toilet
Hi Quang. I wouldn't use fake grass. Get some sod from your yard or even a patch from a local garden-shop and use that in a DIY toilet. Dogs for sure know the difference!
This is a really good series, I enjoy the presenter, great speaker and fantastic content!
You guys have the absolute best videos. Super clear and I love the breakdown of points. Thank you!
Thank YOU!
Hey Ian! First of all, your channel is AMAZING!
I have a question! My girlfriend & I are picking up our aussiedoodle pup in 2 days. We both work from 8-5 and an hour from home, so letting Biscuit out every few hours is not possible. However, when we are home we plan on taking her outside every 2-3 hours around the clock. We already have all of our supplies for the play den, including faux grass pee trays. Since we'll be using faux grass pads, do you think she'll make the connection to real grass as she gets older & learn to hold it while we're away? Do you have any tips for weaning away from pads as she matures?
Thanks so much for your amazing content! It has helped tremendously in preparing for our new family member! 😁
I don't recommend the faux grass. It's hard to clean well and it's unsanitary. It really has no real-life parallel to real grass.
For your indoor toilet issue we're now recommending a litter box with a standard substrate for that. A big pan is recommended. You want a BIG potty area. Don’t use the standard clay-based litter; wood shavings are best. They smell good and they desiccate the poop for easier cleanup. It also prevents tracking of messes. 2nd best is recycled/pressed newspaper pellets. The pellets for cats (or even horses, the cheapest option) are exactly the same stuff, so don’t feel like you have to get something with a picture of a dog on the package.
Make the substrate deep; it's a little bit of a cue to the dog to use it. If they're sleeping in the potty substrate, you have a problem with the crate or pen.
Just remember that the indoor toilet is just a place holder to keep your potty training from backsliding when
Other than that, you may want to check out my potty training eBook: www.simpawtico-training.com/potty-training-decoded
Good luck!
You need someone to come and let your dog outside. A new puppy 9 hours alone is wrong. You clearly do not have the time for a dog.
Hello Ian Great vid as always XD you have helped me with my mastiff (yes mastiff and I am still in elementary school Lol Also one more thing remover me Ian it’s me husky wolf dude💙
How do you get the puppy to use the indoor toilet? So far my puppy just plays in it then pees on the floor. Also, isn't this sending conflicting messages to the puppy?
Well keep in mind that the indoor toilet is ONLY for when your puppy is unsupervised. You should still be making an effort to be taking them out 90% of the time. The indoor toilet is just to keep inside mistakes to a minimum while keeping the substrate/olfactory preferences on track.
This video is super useful! Thank you for all the tips !
You're welcome!
How do you even make a pavement potty??? Wouldn’t it smell over time ? I’m so lost 😞…plus she’s already been using puppy pads…but she has used the bathroom outside too.
Since we made this video we've actually updated our recommendation. For your indoor toilet issue we're now recommending a litter box with a standard substrate for that. A big pan is recommended. You want a BIG potty area. Don’t use the standard clay-based litter; wood shavings are best. They smell good and they desiccate the poop for easier cleanup. It also prevents tracking of messes. 2nd best is recycled/pressed newspaper pellets. The pellets for cats (or even horses, the cheapest option) are exactly the same stuff, so don’t feel like you have to get something with a picture of a dog on the package.
Make the substrate deep; it's a little bit of a cue to the dog to use it. If they're sleeping in the potty substrate, you have a problem with the crate or pen.
Just remember that the indoor toilet is just a place holder to keep your potty training from backsliding when you can't supervise them and take them out. GOOD LUCK!
Hi there! I am getting a puppy in 4 weeks time. I plan to take 2 weeks off work to begin potty training the puppy. Both my husband and I work full time and are gone for 8 hours. We plan to have a family member come by around mid day to feed and play with the puppy until it is 4-6 months old. We have an area of the house which is basically puppy proof once we add a couple baby gates that we can use as long term confinement area like you mention in the video. My plan was to potty train the puppy to use the artificial grass/tray so that she has somewhere to go whilst we are at work. You mentioned in the video that the "home made toilet" should only be used for when you are not home, and to otherwise get them to go outside. My question is, will it confuse the puppy if i train her to use the inside toilet and outside?
If you have a puppy play pen with a litter box, do you still need to take your puppy outside? If so, how often? I wouldn't want to confuse her that's all.
Hi Camilla. YES: taking your puppy outside is still the #1 component to your potty training regimen. The toilet in the play den is just during those periods when you won't be able to take your puppy out, such as while you're at work, or something like that. Then, it minimizes setting your work back when the pottying is done inside because we're still keeping the substrate preference and olfactory preferences strong. Hope that helps!
So, If you are always around a potty box is not needed? Been an avid reader of your training videos (see I do understand you are training me) since my both retired wife and I wanted to return to dog ownership. We just chose a Portugese Water Pup on Sunday and will go get him in another 8 weeks. We have both owned "working dogs" in the past and understand they need a lot of interest.
Can you list a few must see videos covering the first few weeks as this training procedure is very different from our years ago methods.
Thanks - Brian
@@SimpawticoDogTraining Thank you for your advice.
This is great thanks
Thanks again for a brilliant video. I’m getting mine Sunday and am thinking to move the pen to my dinning room. As this will be her main area for food and water. I have it in my lounge that’s the next room with no outside door.
Didn’t you have a video called The Puppy Apartment, that was very similar to this?
Yes we did, but evidently there's a company that makes a crate called the Puppy Apartment and they had us take it down. This is the Do-Over version 2.0 with different terminology!
Simpawtico Dog Training oh haha okay! I was just wondering if I was going crazy! Loved the video!!
We take dogs away from their mothers to early. Fortunately for our new puppy we have a 7 yr old lab that has taught the pup to be a good dog in 3 weeks.
We do take them away too soon, that's true. Glad your pup had a good experience with your lab!
My puppy hates being in the playpen. She digs and barks and cries to get out...so now what?
More physical, mental, and emotional stimulation before placing them in it, and then things to do while they're in there such as chew toys or work-to-eat projects.
Hey, so my partner and I got a puppy a week ago (pembroke welsh corgi) and we've been using a puppy play den for her. This has been amazing for us, however, she recently figured out how to climb it and jump out, what can we do to prevent this?? PLEASE HELP
Thank you very much for your valuable explanations.
May I ask you a question?
We have an almost 5 months old Basset Hound. He is with us since he was 2 and a half months old.
We brought him to an artificial grass potty box in our backyard every 2 hours until 3 and a half months old. And he always did his business, when we asked him for it, perfect!
Now, we have installed a doggy door, and since he is 3 and a half months, we bring him outside after sleep, night and naps, after eat, and we say “pee” and perfect, in the box, we praised him with food and cuddles. But when he does his business alone in the backyard, he doesn’t use the pee box... never... we have an 100m2 backyard.
What can we do to teach him to do his business always in the pee box?
Thank you very much! Best regards!
Thanks for making this video! I've watched a bunch of your other videos and they are great!
My question is this: I just got my puppy five days ago. I live in an apartment and there aren't areas that are easily confined, so I ordered an exercise pen but it's not coming for a few days. In the meantime, we're struggling with potty accidents and chewing things. She's comfortable getting in the crate, although doesn't like to be in for more than 10 minutes or so, and she's getting used to kongs full of kibble. I'm wondering what to do to minimize undesirable chewing and accidents until the pen arrives. Is all lost?
Hi there Simpawtico Dog Training,
We are getting our first puppy in about a month and I was just wondering if the puppy play den is open during the night time (or should you crate them and then let them out a few times though the night)?
Also, We have our own business so we can luckily bring our puppy to work with us :D . Should I include the toilet in the play pen during the work day? I will be able to take her out every hour or so (but still need to be focused on my work in the mean time). I just want to prevent any accidents before they happen to make this as easy for our pup as possible (and we have carpet in the office lol).
Thanks for your awesome videos!! I have been binge watching all of them :P
Ian, my partner and I live in India. We placed a tray full of mud from our yard/where we plan to take pup for potty. This worked excellently b/w 6 and 8 weeks (here we had to take him earlier because of poor conditions at his breeder + maternal separation was underway) and he's super smart and responding to your techniques.
But offlate, we have found that he's digging in his potty tray and chewing on the mud.
When we used homemade puppy pads for a few days before this, he chewed on that! It's weird. What do we do? Is this normal?
So we have a 16 week old whoodle puppy who we have been using the long term confinement with while we go to work. Just yesterday he figured out how to climb or jump out of the vertical bar playpen.... We don't want him injuring himself by doing this so we are thinking about taking down the playpen all together and leaving him in our kitchen with the door closed when we have to be gone. What are your thoughts? How long is too long to leave a puppy in a crate for? Eventually we want him to have free reign of the house when gone like all my previous dogs. I'm just not sure how to navigate this . This pup sure has springs for feet. He's also climbed over baby gates.
We just got an 8-week old puppy. We read Dr Ian Dunbar's books prior to getting her. We built the pen as per the book (we use pee pads as we're in a high rise) and she absolutely loses it whining when she's in there. We've stuffed Kongs, squirrels, barnacles, you name it - she. does. not. care. She just whines and cries (and breaks my heart) and will even refuse to use the pee pad sometimes. She's not food driven and eats very little. Any tips to make her love her pen? Help!
What should I do if I have an 8-5, but live 5 minutes from work? Can I still get a pup? I plan on checking in from 12 to 1. Those 4 hours in between. Would they be ok in the pen? Thank you.
The " diy dog toilet " is so simple that is brilliant..my 3month German shepherd sometimes do it inside while well... You aren't quick enough to notice than she's wake up basically 😂 . It will make it way more simple ! I'm gonna think about mix of gravel and grass to be honest.
I have a question. We will have 2 puppies same age, 16 weeks. One English Bulldog and one Black Lab. Can we have them both in the den together or do they need there own dens? Great videos, keep them coming. Thankz.
At how many weeks old can a puppy start understanding potty training? My puppy is 8 weeks old, and she's somewhat getting it. I'm going to start ditching the potty training pads and use something else. I live in an apartment with no backyard, so I have to make a confinement area in the kitchen. The play pens are too big for my kitchen, I ordered free standing wooden gates to build a confinement area. Does anybody have any suggestions on a brand or size for play pen confinement areas for small apartment homes.? I have an 8 week old miniature schnauzer. Thank you!
We put up a baby gate in the kitchen door and used our small-ish kitchen as our puppy's play area. It worked great! We did not have an indoor toilet because we were able to take her out frequently for the first couple of months, I think this really sped up her house training process. However, if you do not have the luxury of being able to give almost 24/7 supervision during the first weeks and go on potty breaks every few hours during the first months, an indoor toilet is a great solution.
Ian! Love your videos. I've created a puppy play den for night time, puppy alone time, and when we have to leave the house. Our puppy is 10 weeks old and he always goes in his puppy toilet, but won't go outside on our porch (since we can't walk him outside yet). Instead, he'll eliminate as soon as we come back inside on our rug. How can we teach him how to go outside when we take him? Should we go outside or take him to his puppy toilet instead until we're able to walk him outside?