Help with toilet training a disabled pup

[doggy121]

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Hi new member looking for some help

we have a aprrox 3 mth old puppy, a bichon ,she came from a dog rescue centre so no history about the pup.

she has problems with her back legs which mean she has no knees and the vet says she was born like that and also problems with her hips so her back legs are a problem with walking etc sometimes she just drags her back legs along the floor if its like wood flooring ,vet says she isnt in any pain and nothing that can be done,but she gets about and is happy enough and very very playfull.

but we dont know how long she will be able to move about for so we are trying to give her the best life we can with the time she has .....we are trying to toilet train her,for the first few days we got her she would use the training pad but now she seems not intrested to use that anymore when she needs to and seems to use the rug or the living room floor she does not use the same place its where ever she just does it....we keep telling her no and then putting her back on the pad but she just thinks you want to play......at night time she sleeps in a crate and she never does any mess in the crate always 100% clean but as soon as you take her out its toilet time ...any ideas?

 

[chelynnah]

Go back to very very basics. I wouldn't suggest a pee pad - I'd do outside only. The second she comes out of the crate take her outside and let her pee. Immediately after feeding, straight out, when playing and stops, take her straight out, waking up from nap - straight out. When she goes praise her like crazy and have a cue word you use (we use 'go potty' to tell them to go, so while training when they're going we go crazy with 'good girl go potty') in a high pitched happy voice and give a really special treat (chicken, cheese etc) either during or the second she finishes. don't wait till she goes back in the house. This way you're teaching her you want her to go outside. I always think it confuses them if it's ok to go in the house anywhere - even if it's a pee pad. And with her condition she may not feel a huge difference between the carpet and the pee pad - so best to train for outside if you can. There also may be a some lack of sensation issues - as in she may not always be able to tell when she has to go (again related to her disability).

also google dog mobility. There are a couple of really good companies that make wheels for dogs. I she's happy and healthy otherwise, then it might be worth considering.

Best of luck.

Wendy

 

[MissYeh]

In addition to chelynnah's post. Puppies can't hold up for a long time, like kids can't. Take your puppy out regularly for a toilet break, like hourly and slowly build that up. Eventually, your puppy will learn to hold it when older and to even notify you when she needs to.