I need help!! Does anybody know a good dog forum? I'm asking because I have a dog that isn't potty-trained and I need advice. Also, I can't get my sugar gliders until she is fully potty trained! So if anyone could help, that would be SO awesome!!

In my work as an animal behavioral specialist (the training of animals), the real work and training is not with the animal as much as it is with the person(s) who care for the animal.

Always positive reinforcement, never punishment or yelling.

You have to watch your puppy and learn what he does when he needs to go potty and take him out before it happens. (First thing in the morning, just after he eats or drinks, just after he's woke from a nap, just after he finishes playing, when you notice he starts smelling around the floor etc). As you are on your way to the door to go outside, always use the same words so he knows what they mean over time. (Go outside? Go potty? etc). AS he is going potty and for a good while after - it is happy happy puppy celebration time. Let him know he did something very good.

If you love and care for your puppy he will want to love and care for you. The way he does that is by trying to please you. It is up to you to help him understand what you want and it is up to you to try to understand him based on his behaviors.

What breed of dog do you have? I've had many dogs over the years and they have all been easily potty trained with the exception of my Chihuahua, Lily. She goes outside about 75% of the time but when she needs to go she's not above going where ever she is...

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Originally posted by hypnotist321

In my work as an animal behavioral specialist (the training of animals), the real work and training is not with the animal as much as it is with the person(s) who care for the animal.

Always positive reinforcement, never punishment or yelling.

You have to watch your puppy and learn what he does when he needs to go potty and take him out before it happens. (First thing in the morning, just after he eats or drinks, just after he's woke from a nap, just after he finishes playing, when you notice he starts smelling around the floor etc). As you are on your way to the door to go outside, always use the same words so he knows what they mean over time. (Go outside? Go potty? etc). AS he is going potty and for a good while after - it is happy happy puppy celebration time. Let him know he did something very good.

If you love and care for your puppy he will want to love and care for you. The way he does that is by trying to please you. It is up to you to help him understand what you want and it is up to you to try to understand him based on his behaviors.

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Agreed! I like the use of a crate to help potty train....when you are out of the house or sleeping puppy can go into the crate. They don't by nature want to soil their beds, then as soon as you get up you take puppy outside. Try and use one word or phrase for it (I say 'go potty') and praise when your puppy does go out and give treats (you can back off on treats once they know what is expected). It will probably make it easier if you take puppy to the same area to do its business every time,and take him/her out the same door every time too. I do not advocate the use of pads bc I don't ever want my dog to think it is okay to go inside....plus when they are pad trained they can't tell the difference between the pad and an area rug, or anything else that is on your floor for that matter. If puppy does use the bathroom inside just clean it up and move on. If you catch your puppy going to the bathroom inside then you quickly do something to distract him so he will stop and then rush him outside to finish. You will learn the cues that your dog has to go....they won't all go to the door and bark or scratch to let you know they need to go as adults. But if you see your puppy pacing and sniffing the ground that is a really good cue that he/she needs to go. One of my dogs (adult) will hang out by the back door when she needs to go. I don't always notice it and she will use the bathroom on the floor if I don't let her out in time. she is a small dog and they are often a little more difficult to potty train. Also, getting your pup spayed or neutered (around 6 months of age) will also help as they have a tendency to mark when they are not, and it will decrease chances of aggression and CANCER...in general spaying and neutering makes your pet happier and healthier (sorry to get off topic a little).

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Originally posted by Avbjessup

What breed of dog do you have? I've had many dogs over the years and they have all been easily potty trained with the exception of my Chihuahua, Lily. She goes outside about 75% of the time but when she needs to go she's not above going where ever she is...

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I just happen to have a chihuahua! She goes potty outside whenever I take her outside, but otherwise she goes potty anywhere. I decided to try to train her to ring a bell when she needs to go, and she does, when I take her out!! She won't do it by herself unless I'm next to the door so my real question is, how can I make her ring a bell when she needs to go without me having to be right by her side!! The problem with her is since she is so small, she will escape for only a few moments, do her business and come back and I won't even notice until I step in it!!

Does anyone have any advice??

another thing you could do while you are in the house, to keep her from wandering off and going in the house somewhere is put her on a leash indoors so that she has to be with you and can't sneak away. as far as ringing the bell goes.....maybe you could get her to touch the bell somehow before you open it. maybe put a treat close to the bell so she has to nose it to get the treat? or get her to jump up on the bell before you open the door. All of these tips will take time, since she is still a puppy you should be able to teach her. I don't think it will be as easy as it would be to train a lab for example. but consistency will be key.

I did get her to ring the bell on her own and she is a lot better than she used to be! Thanks everyone!

Way to go! Consistency, Consistency, Consistency...

My theory regarding Chi's is that it's so difficult to be consistent because they are so small they can go without you even noticing. My large dogs were always 99% potty trained but Lily is another story altogether! Fortunately her poop and pee is tiny .

Here is a great forum with awesome people: www.chihuahua-people.com/chi-chat/