I have followed all the advice from the experts in housetraining this puppy I've had for a month. She isn't even close to getting trained. I'm using the crate method, taking her out every hour. She's either on a leash while in the house or in my arms. She's in the crate if I can't watch her. It only takes a second and she's wetting the carpet. Is there maybe another method of housetraining suited for toy poodles?

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2000

Answers

FIRST OFF ALWAYS BE CONSISTANT! YOUR PUPPY ONLY NEEDS TO GO OUT EVERY 3 HOURS OR SO AND WHEN TRAINING YOUR PUPPY ALWAYS KEEP CONFINED TO LANOLIUM OR TILE FLOORING {DOGS ENTERPRET CARPET AS GRASS!!!!} THATS WHY SHES GOING ON YOUR CARPET. IT TAKES A LONG TIME AND ALOT OF PATIENCE BUT SHES ON THE RIGHT TRACK BY A GATE AND KEEP ON YOUR KITCHEN FLOORWHEN SHE'S OUT OF HER CRATE OR SHE'LL THINK YOUR CARPET IS GRASS.....

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2000

I guess you trained her by now or you probably got rid of her. We trained our toy poodle by keeping her in a gate, finding out where she wanted to pee, and putting papers there. She did her business on the papers 98% of the time. We then fixed up a kitty litter tray with a grate on top, took some of the papers and put it in the kitty litter, and she went on the kitty litter box in no time. She still makes some mistakes, especially if she is roaming around a part of the house we don't normally let her in. Also, she won't go on the kitty litter box if there is mess on in and it hasn't been cleaned up. Now, about 99% of the time she doesn't make messes.

-- Anonymous, November 20, 2001

I always had cocker spainels, but I got my first poodle last year. How much easier a poodle is to train than a cocker! I had my minature poodle 80% trained in 2 weeks and fully trained in 3! I put a gate up between the livingroom and kitchen (livingroom is carpet & kitchen tile) I had a big soft pillow for her to sleep on, and whenever she was brought into the livingroom she was held so she couldn't wet the carpet. I did not paper train her as in my mind that is training them twice and once is bad enough! I put her on a schudule and KEPT to it taking her outside every day at same times. Once outside I let her walk around with me and when she went and peed I praised her up every time. When she went on the floor I used a deep tone of voice and just said "bad girl" It wasn't long she learned and plus wanted to come in the living room. Praise works mircles as most want to please anyhow. Good luck!

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001