Training Tips?

[kellyfoss03]

What advice do you guys have for training a 14 week old frenchie?

She won't (almost ever) poop outside but the second we bring her inside she will poop. Peeing isn't a problem, she doesn't seem to have an issue doing that outside.

Also, as soon as we put her in her crate at night, she whimpers and then barks like crazy for a bit before she finally decides it's enough and falls asleep. Are there any tips to make her more comfortable with it and less likely to bark? She's fine in it for my mother during the day when she has to be in there, but at night it's like she goes crazy.

 

[Cbrugs]

14 weeks old is still very young. Consistency is the key with potty training. How long do you give her to go when outside? Sometimes it can take 10 minutes or more for them to poop. And when she does go outside, make sure you make a big deal about it with lots of praise and treats.

Barking and whining definitely come with crate training. Frenchies are velcro dogs...they always want to be with you. So for that, consistency is key as well. You will have to let her bark and whine somewhat otherwise she will learn that anytime she does it, you will take her out. The exception would be if you think she has to go to the bathroom and that is why she is barking.

 

[kellyfoss03]

Definitely more than 10 minutes, not sure why she is so afraid to go outside!

I've heard to just let her bark it out... that's what I've been trying to do the last couple of nights.

 

[Cbrugs]

Another thing to try is not to walk her around the yard too much (not that you are) but just stand in one spot so she knows it's not play time but time to do her business.

And yes, let her bark and whine it out. Some people will cover the top of the crate to create more of a den-like atmosphere. You can try putting a tshirt or blanket in with her that has your scent on it.

 

[kellyfoss03]

Yep, I put one of my husbands shirts in there. I even got her a calming collar - seems to work a bit but not completely. I guess it's just trial and error.

 

[Frenchie Grrrl]

If you have your own yard, I would put some of her poop out there where you want her to go. Maybe that will help get the point across. Where is she pooping when she is inside? If she's keeping her crate clean, and you know she has to poop, you might try putting her in her crate and taking her out every 15 min, until she goes. After she finally produces and gets praise, then she hopefully will be better. When she has accidents, is she sneaking off, or going right in front of you? Are you able to scoop her up mid poop and have her finish outside?

I kept Gus' crate beside my bed for the first month, and never had any whining issues. I also got him one of those little heartbeat sound makers and put a little stuffed dog inside his crate. He still sleeps with his chin on the stuffed dog every night. Putting in a piece of your clothing, as suggested, can also be helpful.

 

[Honeys Owners]

Might be helpful to borrow a more experienced dog for a couple of days to teach her to poop outside.

 

[kellyfoss03]

Thanks for your response! I do have my own yard and I've tried to walk her around back there but no dice. When she's inside she poops in the basement. It's not the worst thing ever because the floor is easy to clean down there but of course I want my pup to be able to go outside. Usually since I'm down there I'm not able to scoop her up real quick. She doesn't usually hide to poop either.

As for the crating, I purchased one of the heartbeat stuffed animals as well, and have one of my husbands shirts in there. I've come to realize now though that the last couple of nights she just needs her ten minutes or so to bark it out and then she's fine until she has to go.

 

[Frenchie Grrrl]

Thanks for your response! I do have my own yard and I've tried to walk her around back there but no dice. When she's inside she poops in the basement. It's not the worst thing ever because the floor is easy to clean down there but of course I want my pup to be able to go outside. Usually since I'm down there I'm not able to scoop her up real quick. She doesn't usually hide to poop either.

As for the crating, I purchased one of the heartbeat stuffed animals as well, and have one of my husbands shirts in there. I've come to realize now though that the last couple of nights she just needs her ten minutes or so to bark it out and then she's fine until she has to go.

Do you mean, since you are *not* down there?
If so, (in addition to putting some poop outside where you want her to go) I'd block off the area and/or give her a much smaller area of the house that she's allowed access to, and have her earn access to other parts of the house, as she is more successful. That way you can keep a close eye on her and see if she's showing signs of having to go (sniffing around, circling, etc) or catch her mid poop.

We went from kitchen (under direct supervision) only ---> kitchen + den ---> kitchen + den + halls ---> most of the main floor. When we first allowed Gus access to the halls, he started pooping in the foyer for some reason, so we blocked off the foyer for about three weeks and then tried again. He's 6 months old and hasn't had an accident for ages, but he's still not allowed on the top floor or basement unsupervised, and I still have gates blocking off my formal living room and dining room. Mostly because we rarely go in those rooms and wouldn't know for ages if he was making a new potty spot in there.


10 minutes of whining doesn't sound bad at all. I'm sure she will grow out of that quickly. Sounds like you already have a great set up.

 

[kellyfoss03]

Do you mean, since you are *not* down there?
If so, (in addition to putting some poop outside where you want her to go) I'd block off the area and/or give her a much smaller area of the house that she's allowed access to, and have her earn access to other parts of the house, as she is more successful. That way you can keep a close eye on her and see if she's showing signs of having to go (sniffing around, circling, etc) or catch her mid poop.

We went from kitchen (under direct supervision) only ---> kitchen + den ---> kitchen + den + halls ---> most of the main floor. When we first allowed Gus access to the halls, he started pooping in the foyer for some reason, so we blocked off the foyer for about three weeks and then tried again. He's 6 months old and hasn't had an accident for ages, but he's still not allowed on the top floor or basement unsupervised, and I still have gates blocking off my formal living room and dining room. Mostly because we rarely go in those rooms and wouldn't know for ages if he was making a new potty spot in there.


10 minutes of whining doesn't sound bad at all. I'm sure she will grow out of that quickly. Sounds like you already have a great set up.

Aww thank you! I am trying!