my puppy, only 8.5 weeks old, has been very good at being clean in the house - gradually learning over 2 weeks, and progressing to going outside the kitchen door herself [and me praising her each time]. yesterday she took herself out about 4-5 times to wee.
today - she has wee'd once on the mat by the door, then twice in the kitchen so far! why is this? by her behaviour [probably picking up on my displeasure though i dont tell her off] - she runs off fast, i would say she knows it isn't the right thing to do. or am i reading too much into it?
please help as i failed with a puppy many years ago and have since rehomed older dogs successfully [both now gone to rainbow bridge] - so am a 'new' puppy owner.

oh and also she has been whining/squeaking a lot today like she did on day 3 [when she realised her litter mates were not going to reappear - why is she doing this again?

Hi Bluebird,
Your pup is still very much a baby, and so learning is very much a "two steps forward, one step back" practice. Don't expect too much too soon. You may have one 'good' day, followed by five 'bad' days, but gradually, if you are calm and consistent, the 'bad' days will get fewer and fewer. Good luck.
:)
Edit: Do you have a copy of "The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey? It is an excellent puppy-rearing and training manual, and I'm sure you would find it very helpful and reassuring.

Bluebird she is a VERY young baby . If she is going off to the toilet on her own at this age she is doing very well indeed .
Just like babys they still have accidents . It is a matter of watching her and waiting to see when she needs to go outside and praising her lots when she does so - even treating her to a titbit . :)
Dont expect to much of her- it doesnt mean you are failing when she does this ( especially at this really early stAGE) .
She will learn -so try no to be too anxious. She may be running off because she can see you are tense from your body actions.
Lesley

Bluebird,

She is only a baby , most puppies have not left their mother by now or are just leaving.

I would never suggest to people to show their unhappiness to a puppy even in voice until they are a little older. Praise over a good few weeks/months is what works in the most positive way.

Likewise her crying, just a baby she will soon settle down.

One tip make sure where she piddles it is really clean. ( iam not suggesting it is not)

I know one of mine kept piddling on my bathroom mat, ( new ) I washed it and she did it again ao I gave it a good nearly boiling wash and fingers crossed she has not been back at it yet.

Enjoy her and enjoy her learning.

Think of human babies and how long it takes.

Good luck

Pam

thanks to everyone - i think i expect too much, but only because she has been incredibly good in all ways and i was expecting it to continue!
last night she continued to act very odd, but today she seems better. i feel a bit silly as she did have her first jab on monday [she didn't take any notice when it was done], so maybe she was feeling under the weather hey? slapped wrist for me!
i accept i have a low tolerance level but when she is ok, im ok, but i MUST learn not to expect too much
[she IS a remarkable dog so far]

Good Luck Bluebird.