Pug potty training problems?

Give him only 10 minutes to eliminate outside. If he doesn't go, bring him back in and watch him like a hawk. If necessary, keep him tied to you. Take him out again in 30 - 60 minutes or when he shows signs of needing to go. I would crate him overnight, too, to prevent accidents.

For the stairs, have you tried having him go up from about midway or 2/3 of the way up instead of the bottom? This usually seems to work better. Once they get the last part, it is generally simple for them to start at the bottom and go all the way upstairs; however, you might need to gradually add a few stairs at a time until he will do all three flights.

I believe that male dogs often urinate all over the place in a new home, as it is their way of marking their territory. In this dog's case, it may be a combination of this territorial behaviour, and his nervousness.

In terms of the stairs, you say that you have already seen some progress with him, and I think that if you continue to be patient with him and encourage him to walk up and down them himself, even if this is time consuming, then eventually he will overcome his fear.

Consistency in any type of dog training is really important, so try to repeat the way you do things - for example, don't get him to walk down sometimes but then carry him at others - always persuade him to walk at least a little way down, as this way he will know that there is no way round it a will have to be brave.

In terms of potty training, well...I have just gotten a new puppy, and am currently going through the same thing! But the technique that I have been advised to use is this:

Use the drops you mentioned (they replicate the smell of his urine and so attract him to the spot) on a few sheets of newspaper, and always place the sheets in the same place, so he gets used to the spot. Each time he urinates elsewhere, tap him on the tail with a rolled up newspaper (not enough to hurt him though) and give him a firm 'NO'. Then, pick him up - or if he's too big, just lead him - to the place where he urinated and put his face close to it so that he has to smell it. Then, take him over, and sit him firmlyon the newspaper. If you do this every time then you should start to see results, but do bear in mind that, as he's older, this could take some time. As I said, the most important thing here is consistency.

So far, the results with my puppy have been up and down, and we have only had him for a week so I cannot tell you if this technique is 100%, but I think that iti s going to work well, because it teaches him to associate urinating with the newspaper spot.

Good luck - I know very well how frustrating the process is!!

Obviously this is a problem caused by the previous owners and your poor dog simply does not know what to do. he does not know that the place to pee is outside.

However, I would get a vet to check if there is a physical problem. When you say you still see two stitches do you mean the actual stitches or just the scars. the stitches should be in for a week only. If they are still there the poor dog could be in some pain when he urinates.

Your first clue is he does not mess your bed. Does he have his own bed to use during the day? If not, I would establish one and enclose him in an area with his bed and a pile of newspapers adjacent. If he does not go in bed he has to go on the papers. If you see him doing so, be lavish in praise. Consider getting a cage, leave door open with the newspapers next to it. If this works move the newspapers further away, in time to the front door. Consider getting a tray with a piece of turf or earth to remind him of outside, beside the newspapers.

Take him outside for fun as often as possible, not just to perform.

You may need to take newspapers with you initially if he has found this the best place to go.

do you have a friend with a small dog who can show hime what to do?

Best of luck.

Grampa John

I think you need to start as if he was a new puppy.