Toilet training for puppies.

[crockshard]

We have just aquired a new border collie pup a few days ago (have had dogs before) but don't seem to be winning yet on the 'toilet' front. She has lived outside until we bought her. I take her outside hourly and praise her when she performs outside. However, she comes back indoors and performs again. I can't remember how I got over the problem with other dogs. Do I just need to be patient? I don't like to be too hard on her when she makes a mistake and is still settling in, but I have shown her what she has done and growled a sharp 'No!' at her (this has worked when trying to keep her off beds I don't want her on, etc, so I think she understands 'no' now). I was thinking of laying some plastic and newspaper on the area of carpet where she usually wees and poos, but fear this may encourage her to do it there rther than outside.
Any advice?

[carmalee]

Be patient - BC's live to please people so she's not being difficult, she just doesn't understand.what you want of her. She was an outside pup. What I'd do is completely ignore any 'mistakes', don't look at her or speak to her as you clear up -and watch your body language doesn't show you are a bit miffed. You could also try putting her in a closed off place - not as a punishment -just a place where she knows is her den -no need to go to the expense of a dog crate - just partition a part of the kitchen off - she really will feel safer if the place is not too large.cover any exposed floor space with A) her bed and B) scrunched up tin foil under newspaper (Dogs usually hate using this surface for a loo - also don't like soiling their own den.)You have to introduce her to this calmly and ensure she's happy there. Only leave her for a short , maybe feed her in there so she associates it as a good place.Immediately after food take her straight out again to a designated toilet area in the garden . Wait until she begins to pee or poo then quietly give the command ' Go be Be Clean' (or whatever phrase you choose but don't say it harshly. )Huge amount of praise and fuss when mission acomplished and big play.

[crockshard]

Thankyou for taking the trouble to answer, and it is good advice. We have a large nursery fire-guard somewhere that I could put around a corner of the kitchen (except that she has already learned to share food with cat, who will be miffed to be cut off from it!). She sleeps upstairs next to my bed (not on!). First night, I persuaded her to stay in it by rubbing my feet around her face then giving her my smelly socks to bed down with (only the first night!- don't want her chewing laundry!). She slept through the first night without any whinging until I woke up, then I immediately took her outside (in my pyjamas - me not her!) so that she could ablute and I could praise. No problems at night or first thing, but during the day she has not yet learned to signal when she needs to go out because she doesn't yet realise that that is what is expected (she has never cried or barked - except when I did accidentally shut her behind a door - and is always with me or another member of the household).
I don't want to tell her off when she doesn't understand, prefer to just use praise. Previous dog would be asked to go out for a 'Don't Be Long!' and would perform on the outside step to please immediately
Nevertheless, I have put plastic and newspaper on the carpet area she goes to for this evening!!

[jules77]

A few days is not long enough for her to understand. I havnt found any of mine have taken longer than a few weeks, but have known dogs take months before they are completely clean day and night without any accidents.

If you take her outside, and most importantly wait with her until she performs, as soon as she wakes up, after food, and every hour in between, when she does what you ask, give her plenty of praise. Even if you catch her in the act, take her out so she gets the message in the house is not the place to do it.