Yes, I'm writing more about pee. As I stated last night, since getting a puppy this past weekend, my entire life now revolves around pee. So really it's all I have to talk about at this time.
The morning typically starts by taking Darwin out of his kennel and immediately out to the yard. (After I put on pants of course - the neighbors...) I've already learned not to let the pup's feet even touch the floor before we're outside, because first thing in the morning he isn't going to wait. Of course, what's the first thing most of us do in the morning, right? He thinks he's people!
Out to "the spot" (as in "the spot" in my yard you do NOT want to walk if you ever stop over) and he goes almost instantly. "Good boy!"-praise-treat. Trying to make that association in his little puppy brain that peeing outside = good/treat, peeing inside = bad/no treat. Do we then head back inside for breakfast? Oh no. I've already learned that Darwin is going to go again within a few minutes.
Only after leak #2 (and maybe a #2 too, depending) it's back inside we go. Fill up the water bowl, measure out his food and then... watch. Constant vigilance. Some may think "Hey, we've just come back inside after the pup peed twice, so I should be safe for awhile. I can let my guard down ever so slightly and have some coffee. Maybe some waffles" Not so! On more than one occasion Darwin has let lose on the floor less than 5 minutes after coming back inside. That's why I've learned to wait when outside. (Which brings up the question: who's training who here? And where's MY treat?)
The important thing is to establish a routine. Or so the book says. Take the puppy outside at regular intervals to avoid inside accidents. It suggests every two hours. It is wrong. By the time two hours has passed, Darwin would have peed on the floor several times. Can't blame him really - after I've had several cups of coffee there's no way I'm waiting two hours.
So I cut it down to every hour/hour-and-fifteen-minutes after he's had some water. Again, establish a routine. After all, Supernanny is always going on about that when dealing with unruly children terrorizing suburban homes. Not that I'd ever watch Supernanny. Or think Jo is kind of hot. I haven't. And I don't.
The going out every hour or so thing worked relatively well for a couple days. (While constantly watching him in between those trips of course.) So this morning I thought "Let's stretch it to an hour and a half today." Seemed reasonable. Like the first step towards pee freedom.
For those of you wondering how that went, well... Darwin will wait for an hour and 28 minutes after coming inside before he decides to go again.
So close!
The morning typically starts by taking Darwin out of his kennel and immediately out to the yard. (After I put on pants of course - the neighbors...) I've already learned not to let the pup's feet even touch the floor before we're outside, because first thing in the morning he isn't going to wait. Of course, what's the first thing most of us do in the morning, right? He thinks he's people!
Out to "the spot" (as in "the spot" in my yard you do NOT want to walk if you ever stop over) and he goes almost instantly. "Good boy!"-praise-treat. Trying to make that association in his little puppy brain that peeing outside = good/treat, peeing inside = bad/no treat. Do we then head back inside for breakfast? Oh no. I've already learned that Darwin is going to go again within a few minutes.
Only after leak #2 (and maybe a #2 too, depending) it's back inside we go. Fill up the water bowl, measure out his food and then... watch. Constant vigilance. Some may think "Hey, we've just come back inside after the pup peed twice, so I should be safe for awhile. I can let my guard down ever so slightly and have some coffee. Maybe some waffles" Not so! On more than one occasion Darwin has let lose on the floor less than 5 minutes after coming back inside. That's why I've learned to wait when outside. (Which brings up the question: who's training who here? And where's MY treat?)
The important thing is to establish a routine. Or so the book says. Take the puppy outside at regular intervals to avoid inside accidents. It suggests every two hours. It is wrong. By the time two hours has passed, Darwin would have peed on the floor several times. Can't blame him really - after I've had several cups of coffee there's no way I'm waiting two hours.
So I cut it down to every hour/hour-and-fifteen-minutes after he's had some water. Again, establish a routine. After all, Supernanny is always going on about that when dealing with unruly children terrorizing suburban homes. Not that I'd ever watch Supernanny. Or think Jo is kind of hot. I haven't. And I don't.
The going out every hour or so thing worked relatively well for a couple days. (While constantly watching him in between those trips of course.) So this morning I thought "Let's stretch it to an hour and a half today." Seemed reasonable. Like the first step towards pee freedom.
For those of you wondering how that went, well... Darwin will wait for an hour and 28 minutes after coming inside before he decides to go again.
So close!
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