Winter toilet training

[Flowerofthefen]

As our quest for a pup steps up it is likely we will have one during winter. We have decided on our first choice of pup, jrt. Obviously pup is going to be tiny. Our previous 3 dogs we have brought home in the good weather so toilet training outside was fine. Outside we have a fair bit of gravel leading on to grass. Our current lab wouldn't go on the grass, she used to go on the gravel which is fine. The grass would be horrible for a small pup even to walk on this time of year. I don't want the toilet experience to be horrible for pup, has anyone got any tips ? I'm probably over thinking but it's on my mind so I thought I'd ask. Thank you.

 

[Chiffy]

I have always taken my puppies outside right from the start, whatever time of year they arrive. It’s a rod for your own back to use newspaper or puppy pads where they think it’s fine to pee indoors.
I have never had a JackRussell but have had many whippets and they are fussy about wet and cold. In fact we have one arriving just after Christmas so we can compare notes!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I have always taken my puppies outside right from the start, whatever time of year they arrive. It’s a rod for your own back to use newspaper or puppy pads where they think it’s fine to pee indoors.
I have never had a JackRussell but have had many whippets and they are fussy about wet and cold. In fact we have one arriving just after Christmas so we can compare notes!

Definitely don't want to encourage any toilet in the house so Definitely won't be using pads!! Congratulations!! Exciting for you!! Definitely need photos!!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Agree with chiffy! Straight outside from the start, always done it that way, it is actually easier and the puppy will be eager to get outside and have their business and back in from the cold. They will pick it up quickly ?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Agree with chiffy! Straight outside from the start, always done it that way, it is actually easier and the puppy will be eager to get outside and have their business and back in from the cold. They will pick it up quickly ?

Thought it might work the other way and pup might not want to go out at all!! We will definitely start the way we mean to go on, just hope pup gets on with job quickly!!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thought it might work the other way and pup might not want to go out at all!! We will definitely start the way we mean to go on, just hope pup gets on with job quickly!!

It will ? it wont want a freezing wee bum ?
How exciting though, a new puppy ?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

It will ? it wont want a freezing wee bum ?
How exciting though, a new puppy ?

I'm so nervous about making a choice. So many people these days have badly behaved dogs which cause them so much stress. Obviously partly down to training but also temperament of the dog. I know once I've chosen one I will be stupidly happy.....!!

 

[AmyMay]

I'm so nervous about making a choice. So many people these days have badly behaved dogs which cause them so much stress. Obviously partly down to training but also temperament of the dog. I know once I've chosen one I will be stupidly happy.....!!

It’s usually down to bad training x

 

[Flowerofthefen]

It’s usually down to bad training x

I agree. I've been so lucky with our last 3, 1 jrt and 2 labs. They have all been absolutely brilliant, could take them anywhere without any bother. Our current lab was a nightmare pup but is now an absolute pleasure. I think it's because she will be 'my' pup, the lab is ours.

 

[TGM]

I've known people put down a small square of artificial grass near to the house for puppies to toilet on, would that be an option?

 

[Nasicus]

I've known people put down a small square of artificial grass near to the house for puppies to toilet on, would that be an option?

This is what I did, worked really well!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

This is what I did, worked really well!

Great idea!! Definitely an option!!

 

[Xmasha]

I have always taken my puppies outside right from the start, whatever time of year they arrive. It’s a rod for your own back to use newspaper or puppy pads where they think it’s fine to pee indoors.
I have never had a JackRussell but have had many whippets and they are fussy about wet and cold. In fact we have one arriving just after Christmas so we can compare notes!

We get our lab on saturday, so interested to hear what do you use overnight ? The breeder has recommended a crate for him, so what would you recommend until hes old enough to hold on until morning ?
Its been 12 years since we had a pup so i've forgotten what we did with wallace. Thanks

 

[SilverLinings]

It’s usually down to bad training x

Definitely this: I would say nearly all badly-behaved dogs are either the result of bad/non-existent training or the home being unsuitable for the breed (e.g. a high-energy breed kept in studio flat with one 10 minute walk a day). Very, very few are inherently naughty/bad/impossible to train if they are in the right home and the owner has put the work in.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

We get our lab on saturday, so interested to hear what do you use overnight ? The breeder has recommended a crate for him, so what would you recommend until hes old enough to hold on until morning ?
Its been 12 years since we had a pup so i've forgotten what we did with wallace. Thanks

Congratulations!! How exciting!! Photos when he arrives please!!

 

[Xmasha]

Congratulations!! How exciting!! Photos when he arrives please!!

Will do ! We are very excited and counting down the hours. Did a big shop the other day, so we have everything ready for him, including a lovely cosey bed, which if hes anything like Wallace wont get used

 

[Flowerofthefen]

[QUOTE="Asha, post: 15053098, member: 93181"]Will do ! We are very excited and counting down the hours. Did a big shop the other day, so we have everything ready for him, including a lovely cosey bed, which if hes anything like Wallace wont get used :D[/QUOTE] We used a crate overnight for our lab pup. She cried the first few nights, it was hard to ignore!! After that she was fine. Out to toilet before she went to bed then out as soon as we got up. She had more accidents outside of the crate than in it!!

 

[Xmasha]

Brilliant, thanks for that. Crate is all set up, i will remove the puppy pad and stay up late with him. Sleeping is overrated isnt it

Have you found a pup ?

 

[FestiveG]

We had two jrt pups, they were winter pups and were both mucky beggars for their entire lives! They were trained like every other dog we have had, so many, many trips outside, when they woke up, before and after meals, the works, but they were never reliably clean. We knew someone else with related pup and they said the same about him, ours were both bitches. They were farm bred, but had zero interest in vermin. Lovely little dogs who lived into their teens, but continued to wee wherever they chose for their entire lives!

 

[EventingMum]

We have had JRTs all our married life (36 years) and all but one came to us in the winter. I vividly remember Mr EM standing outside in the middle of a wet night holding an umbrella over our first one! I think the key is to put them outside regularly and as soon as they stir during the night. For the last three we have had a crate in our bedroom so we know as soon as they wake at night and I would say these ones were the quickest to toilet train although all have been pretty easy.

 

[Chiffy]

Asha, crate training is good but it must be a happy den, not a shut away place.
As far as nighttime training. For a week or two you will need to go to bed late and get up early. It’s amazing how quickly they can last through the night even if they need to go out every half hour in the day.

 

[Xmasha]

Asha, crate training is good but it must be a happy den, not a shut away place.
As far as nighttime training. For a week or two you will need to go to bed late and get up early. It’s amazing how quickly they can last through the night even if they need to go out every half hour in the day.

Smashing , thank you !
Does this look ok .. I will remove the puppy pad after reading everyone’s comments
Open to all ideas as want Stirling g to be happy ?

 

[Clodagh]

Crate overnight, definitely (to Asha). Ours have always been dry for 6 hours overnight from the go.

OP is just treat as normal. I’ve never had a summer pup!
Carry pup to a decent distance from the door and if it belts back because it’s raining repeat as necessary. ?

 

[Clodagh]

Smashing , thank you !
Does this look ok .. I will remove the puppy pad after reading everyone’s comments
Open to all ideas as want Stirling g to be happy ?
View attachment 102798

That looks great. Ours have every meal in their crate. I put them in it when they are tired and stay in sight until they fall asleep, while ignoring them. If they nod off elsewhere pick them up and put them in it. Stay in sight while they resettle. Ours don’t have water in theirs.

 

[Xmasha]

That looks great. Ours have every meal in their crate. I put them in it when they are tired and stay in sight until they fall asleep, while ignoring them. If they nod off elsewhere pick them up and put them in it. Stay in sight while they resettle. Ours don’t have water in theirs.

fab , so should i remove the water bowl when i leave them at night ? Say midnight ?

Sorry for all the questions, and sorry OP for jumping on your thread .

 

[Clodagh]

Ours just never have water in their crate. Some people do I think. So idk!

 

[FestiveG]

We do have water bowls in our crates, but they are the heavy ceramic "spaniel " bowls, so not likely to tip up and not as easy to go paddling in!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Re crates, just be sure the dog can stand and lie at full stretch. We had to get a ridiculously huge one for Mitch because eh destroyed all beds and has had a good go at this Tuffie but hasn't wrecked it. It is quite thick, tho, so he needed a tall crate, he's a good third bigger than his brother. We gave my bil one of our crates in summer as his spaniel couldn't stretch and was longer stood up than his crate! Our water bowls are the ones that attach to the cage, with a frame and butterfly clips. This means they have the full floor space of the crate and they can't tip them, they attach very solidly. I would always have water in the crate.

Re winter puppies, our current two came in November, almost exactly a year ago. They took a while to get it, but I just mopped up after them (floors are laminate or tiles) and had the back door open constantly. I don't think it was horribly cold this time last year.

 

[Morwenna]

My lab was created at night from day 1 (and still is). She cried a lot the first night (understandably) then settled. I lined my crate with a washable pee pad (fabric surface) with vetbed on top. The pee pad was mainly in case of accidents but she never had any. I had the crate in my room so would hear her cry. When you take them out, keep all interactions to a minimum and turn on as few lights as possible so they don’t think it’s playtime or a good way to get your attention. When we went back up I would put a hand on the crate so she knew I was there until she settled. Mine never has water in her crate overnight. I did lots of crate games with her during the day from the start as well and she only gets treats (other than training treats) if she’s in her bed or crate. I have to make sure my bedroom door is left open along with her crate door as she has a biscuit before bed and as soon as I open the stair gate she races me upstairs and gets in her crate. If I’m too slow I go in and find her standing in it but leaning out as far as she possibly can without falling over.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Brilliant, thanks for that. Crate is all set up, i will remove the puppy pad and stay up late with him. Sleeping is overrated isnt it

Have you found a pup ?

We've just missed out on a local pup!! OH cousins girlfriend has a friend with a litter so we are hoping he will get back to us. OH seems excited about it as well which is great!