Puppy piddles

by Elizabeth
(Mississippi)

My puppy is 15 weeks old now and we've been trying to house break him since he was 8 weeks old. He knows to jump up on the door if he has to go, but he only does this when he needs to poop.

When he has to pee, he just holds it in until he starts piddling everywhere he walks. We take him out about every hour when he's awake, but sometimes he will piddle within 10 minutes of taking him out.

We watch him when he's not in his crate and when he starts piddling we take him out. We do not understand why he does this.


Hi Elizabeth
This can be very frustrating, but actually your pup is doing fairly well for one so young.

The fact that he recognizes when he has to poop and asks to go out is great!

It seems he simply doesn't recognize that he needs to pee until the last minute. I would firstly recommend you have a vet check him out to make sure he doesn't have a UTI or any physical issues that could interfere with his bladder control.

If he can 'hold it' while he's in his crate, this is unlikely, but you never know.

Do you stay outside with him when he has a potty break? If not, start doing so. Watch to be sure that he's peed, even if it takes a while, and remember that sometimes puppies need to pee or poop more than once during a potty trip.

I would suggest that if he doesn't pee when you take him outside, that you crate him when you bring him in. Give him 15 mins or so and then take him back outside again. Don't allow him free time out of the crate until his bladder is empty.

As he matures this will improve, but stick with it and be patient and consistent. He's on the right track. Best of luck!