Was going potty on command, but has stopped!

[harvwald]

At 4 mos., my girl seemed like a model pup, both peeing and pooing on command. She even knew the difference. Now that she's turned 5 mos., not only does she ignore me, but if I keep saying "go potty," she starts whimpering. She also doesn't want to go very often any more. So far, no accidents indoors, but it seems odd that she wants to hold it so long. She used to pee every time I took her out (every few hours and after naps), but now only 4 times or so a day. She gets treats after going, and I praise when she goes, but she even seems disinterested in those things now. She mostly seems to want to smell the spring odors in the air and is very distractable. Is this normal? Any suggestions?

[Soushiruiuma]

She's growing up. She's going to be able to hold it longer. It's just like a toddler, when they start out they go all the time, and if you get a warning it's very short. But once they learn to control the muscles, and develop some strength to them the times increase. If she isn't having accidents you could try going a little longer between breaks, maybe add an extra 30 minutes between routine breaks, but keep the after meals and after playing potty breaks.

[harvwald]

Thanks for the advice. She does seem to be growing up!

[Karlin]

Agree with above and would add: no puppy actually totally learns much they are initially taught at such a young age -- or maybe to put it a different way: training is lifelong and at this age needs daily practice... and it may simply be that she can't go because she doesn't have to. At this age every few hours is easily enough for toilet breaks, with about6 hours being the max (an hour for every month of age plus one, til about half a year old. However that does NOT mean to use the maximum as a guide for when a dog should go out -- most are comfortable going about as often as we do -- every few hours, after something to drink, after a sleep etc).

Or think of it this way -- you can teach a toddler to use a potty chair but it is going to take months of practice before it really sinks in and even then, they will make lots and lots of mistakes and still need training pants. A puppy isn't any different. Learning is in small, incremental steps and easily forgotten by youngsters in particular. PS beware, they tend to forget almost everything again at around 7-10 months -- 'adolescence'

[harvwald]

Oh my, I have a lot to learn about my cav! The rule of thumb about hours is good to know. I think I was making her upset, carrying on about "go potty" all the time. Can hardly wait for adolescence

[Karlin]

I don;t know, if you were there with a treat she was probably trying to do her best to squeeze something out!

The rule of thumb is a rough guide, but handy.