Evening everyone,

Just need to place another piece in the jigsaw and would love your advice on toilet training for our predestined boy GSD - I've read various old posts which have different methods so I thought it would be great to get fresh views on the subject whether it be newspaper, housetraining pads, or straight out into the garden.

Love to hear what has worked for your pups in the past.

Thanks

I'd recommend straight out into the garden. Allowing them to get used to going on newspaper or pads indoors during the day is only teaching them that peeing indoors is perfectly okay, and then they need to unlearn that.

I put a sheet of newspaper by the back door at night or if I'm going shopping (I've never used crates) but if I'm in then I'm watching the puppy ...
:)

Thanks Jean, do you use the empty on command method when you put them out into the garden?

When I go out with them (it's important to go out with them, rather than put them out - you need to watch what they're doing!) I'm very jolly and say nonsense like "Out we go! In the garden!" in a cheerful voice, then keep a close eye on what they do. When they start to wee or poo I'll calmly repeat "Busy busy" (if weeing) or "Hurry up" (if pooing), then when pup's finished give lots and lots of praise. I don't give the command before they've started doing anything until they've learned what it actually means.
:)