Hello, I have a beautiful little blue roan cocker spaniel 3 1/2 months, sweet and clever, but it is so hard to house train him. As we live in Norway it was very cold when he first arrived so both he and I perhaps gave up being outside too quickly. It's very hard to make puddles etc when you're freezing. Now the snow has gone and he just doesn't seem to get the message. Even if I catch him about to puddle and rush out with him it doesn't seem to help. I do try to take him to the same place so he can smell past occasions, but no, he's more interested in sticks and chewing. Of course when the snow was here it was difficult to smell anything!
First he puddled etc on the wooden floor, now he's gone over to the carpet (probably because he was told NO to the wooden floor and was taken out straight away). Or beside me and he looks up to me for praise!!
It's not his fault, but mine. How do we get out of this impasse? Very grateful for your advice.
Charmian

Charmian

Go right back to basics and treat him the same as you would if were only 8 weeks old. He is still very much a baby. So take him out after every meal, play, sleep, when you see him sniffing the ground and every other half hour or so for good measure:D If you catch him going indoors - pick him up and immidiately tell him "no" and take him outside. If he finishes outside then lots of praise. Don''t tell him off if you find a puddle or more after the event. He will not know why you are telling him off as they forget things so quickly.

Whenever he goes outside give him praise - don't stop even when he's fully grown - as they can and do forget without reinforcement;)

While he's doing his stuff - you can say a word or short phrase to him that will help him go on command. Say something like "go toilet" He will then learn that when you say that to him - it's what you want him to do.

Good luck with your puppy. Cockers are often quick to learn - but quicker to forget:rolleyes: but fab little dogs.

hth

Pam n the boys

Pammy,
Thank you and the boys for your helpful advice. We have really got our priorities wrong for some reason. Our little cocker has superb bladder control! When we take him for walks, there is narry a puddle or anything else even though we stop often and allow him to sniff around. Then he gets home and very privately ... well you can guess the rest.
Charmian

You're welcome Charmian - do let us know how you get on with your fluff ball:D

Pam n the boys