465. Midnight-barking of new puppy

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore


Wednesday, October 28, 2009
1. Two-month-old puppy and working husband
Oct 28, 2009

Case study:
Miniature Dachshund, Male, 2 months, bought from the pet shop 3 days ago. I was consulted on blood appearing in the evening stools 3 evenings but not in the day stools. The puppy was fed 2 times a day as advised by the pet shop.

This case has two common complaints amongst new puppy owners, viz.:

1. Blood in stools. For the past 3 evenings, the puppy poops loose stools with blood seen but was otherwise healthy and active.

2. Barking at around 2 am - 3 am and then at 6 am.
"He is seeking attention," the young lady owner said. "We just ignored him and he would stop barking. Then at 6 am, he would bark. He wants to come out of his playpen to play.

Reality & Solutions
1. Blood in the stool. Usually due to stress (change of environment and feeding).

2. Feeding 2x a day is common recommendation by pet shop puppy sellers in Singapore. Less eating, less pooping as the puppy eats all food usually and then poops 2x/day, after eating, instead of many times. This puppy poops 2x/day.

3. "Seeking attention past midnight". Few puppy books mention about this behaviour. Actually, the puppy barks to ask the owner to change the soiled newspapers. In this case, the puppy was now restricted to a one-page width of the newspapers. He pees around every 2 hourly. He does not want to step on soiled papers but being confined in the playpen, he could only communicate with people by barking: "Please change soiled newspapers."

Solutions: I propose that the owner spread 75% of the playpen flooring with newspapers at night, thus giving the puppy more clean papers and therefore no barking at 2am to 3am. 25% of the floor space is his bed towel space. The 2-month-old puppy has a weak bladder at this age and pees every 2 hourly approximately. Will this work in practice? She will let me know when the puppy comes for his 3rd vaccination in Nov 5, 2009.

464. Adult dog paper training

Toilet Training an adult dog in Singapore


--- On Sun, 10/25/09, ...@hotmail.com> wrote:


From: ...@hotmail.com>
Subject: Paper Training 9 month-old whippet
To: drsing_98@yahoo.com
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009, 1:14 PM

Dear Dr Sing,

i have a 9 month-old whippet puppy that stubbornly refuses to relieve and poo on newspaper, so it appears.

She has been previously trained to relieve and poo on 2 sheets of newspaper while she was staying at another caregiver's home. The newspapers were placed in the kitchen area. Due to some reasons, the family is unable to care for her anymore. So, she is currently at my home. I have a 7 year-old dog myself.

When she came over to my place, we laid out the newspaper in the kitchen area and showed her where it was placed. She looked, then ran away. In the very next instance, she peed elsewhere in the flat. we picked her up, chided her and showed her the right place to go, but to no avail. however, she has only peed and pooed at the right place the most 4 times over these past 3 weeks. on one occasion, she copied my dog

She was praised each time she relieved herself at the right place and chided when she did it at any other spot in the flat. She tends to relieve herself wherever she walks, when she feels the urge or when she is excited. She sniffs around a little, then walk away to another spot to pee or poo. I have walked her to the newspaper and pointed it out to her many times over. But she would walk away and relieve herself somewhere else moments later. only when i confine her that she would poo or pee, never both.

Can you advise me how I could retrain her to go on paper? I am at my wits' end, because I have tried every method that worked on my previous dogs but failed on her.

By the way, we bought her from the petshop when she was close to 7 months old.

With regards,
Name of owner



Re: Paper Training 9 month-old whippet
Sunday, October 25, 2009 9:33 PM
From:
This sender is DomainKeys verified
"David Sing"
View contact details
To: <...@hotmail.com>

Adult dogs are harder to paper train. In your case, I suspect that the other dog is a factor affecting her paper training as the urine scent from the other dog (despite you putting newspapers on the floor) had, based on your description, caused her to "urine mark" or seek new areas to pee and poop. No normal dogs like to eliminate on another dog's soiled area (although you have covered with newspapers).

I need to know more about her management.

How long is she with you since you took over from the care giver?
How many times you feed her?
Is water freely available?
What is her exercise routine? Does she go out?
How many times and when does she pee and when does she poo?
Is she doing urine-marking?
Does she pee when excited?
Is she on heat?
Is she having urinary tract infection or other infections?

In the meantime, try this:
1. Tether the whippet in an area with newspapers covering 100% of the area.
2. Use white vinegar at 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water to wipe the floor of the leashed area neutralise the urine smells of the other dog and this dog.
3. Keep the other dog away from her for the next 2-4 weeks (I don't know how you can do it).
4. Change soiled newspapers promptly.
5. Give firm commands: "Pee here" when you see possible signs of elimination if possible. Use your positive training of food treats rewards and praises on successful performance.
6. You need to tether for at least 2-4 weeks. Persevere and be consistent in your training. 7. A fixed feeding and exercise time table for the next 2-4 weeks.

Let me know if this helps.




--- On Mon, 10/26/09,

Subject: RE: Paper Training 9 month-old whippet
To: drsing_98@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, October 26, 2009, 9:37 AM

thank you for your prompt reply. really appreciate it.

my other dog pees and poo in the kitchen toilet while i am training her to go in the master bedroom toilet after the kitchen floor failed. the interesting point was once she copied the other dog and peed in the kitchen toilet straight after he did his. then she repeated it there once other. she was praised when we saw her go in the toilet. then she forgot.

Questions:

How long is she with you since you took over from the care giver?
- i have her for about 3 weeks now.

How many times you feed her?
- i feed her once in the morning

Is water freely available?
- yes

What is her exercise routine? Does she go out?
- once about 2 days or so. she does not pee much when she's out.

How many times and when does she pee and when does she poo?
- Peeing : 1x after waking, 1x halfway or after eating, 1x in the evening when i get home, sometimes out of the blue
- Pooing: 1x after waking, mostly again after eating

Is she doing urine-marking?
- no, she doesn't

Does she pee when excited?
- yes, most of the time. she only pees and poos when i get home, even though there are other people in the house throughout the day.
- poos when excited too. when she goes out, she will poo once she gets out of the house or car.

Is she on heat?
- no

Is she having urinary tract infection or other infections?
- not that i am aware of

As for your advice, do i keep her tethered the whole day? should feeding be done in the area as well?

REPLY Oct 27, 2009

Thank you for more information on the management of the Whippet.
1. It seems that your Whippet has this excitation or submissive urination behaviour. This is a difficult problem to resolve. Try not to greet her when you go home from work and let her gain self-confidence. This will take time.

2. As most dogs go to urine-scented area to eliminate, it is possible that your residence is full of urine smells. Therefore, your new Whippet pees here and there, puzzling you. You need to neutralise all areas promptly. This is one reason why pet owners who use pee pans so as not to soil the floor. The puppy then uses the pee pan to eliminate.

3. Tethering is a form of confinement and must be done 24 hours for the next 2-4 weeks. Feeding and water bowls are within that area. Newspapers cover the whole area and get reduced to the area where the dog eliminates. This takes time.




E-MAIL OCT 27, 2009
From: ...@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: Paper Training 9 month-old whippet
To: drsing_98@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 9:47 AM
Prior to my other dog, we had my brother's Sheltie. But both dogs only eliminate in the bathroom. We also mop the floor with vinegar once every week.
 
Now, when I get home from work, I try my best to ignore her and pet my other dog, though not excessively. This is when she gets jealous and will also pee or poo wherever. Another point is she follows me wherever I go in the house. She is very attention-seeking in this aspect. Should I ignore her when she craves for my attention?
 
As I am rather busy this period, I plan to start the tethering only later next month. In the meantime, I have taken to putting her in the bathroom first thing in the morning, immediately after feeding, when i get home, after she drinks or eat. i hope it would do for now.

E-MAIL REPLY FROM DR SING, Oct 28, 2009
Tethering or confinement to a room, both with newspapers on the floor give the same outcome for paper training. Therefore it is OK. For attention-seeking dogs, my opinion is that you should not provoke jealousy by paying special attention to one dog. Sounds like "sibling rivalry" to me. You may need to be "assertive" and "authoritative" in your treatment of both dogs. I hope you know what I mean. Firm voice commands and actions. Easier said than done.  It is hard to change one's personality but dogs look to you as the leader of the pack.

Updates are at www.toapayohvets.com




Le me know if you need more info

463. Mum learns to love the dog

Sunday, Oct 4, 2009

Last day of the moon cake festival today. No more moon cakes on sale tomorrow. My wife's junior college classmate and her husband invited us for dinner. 5 couples and one lady separated from her husband sat comfortably in the round table chatting noisily about family and life.

32 years had passed. All the children are now young adults and are educated in the U.S or Australia. One of them is a spendthrift but money is not a scarce commodity in his family. 3 couples live in bungalows in prime districts 9, 10 and 11. Such bungalows now cost at least S$10-20 million.



Dog, Spitz, 2 years, neutered has been permitted to go upstairs and started pooping on the carpet. After dry cleaning, the dog continued to eliminate. What to do?

Mum had never wanted dogs. But the grown up children persuaded her to just visit a pet shop in Pasir Ris. The $2,500 Spitz puppy was so cute. The children wanted him. So, mum had to be flexible.

Too many advices from friends. Spray something onto the carpet. Remove the carpet.

My advice would be to supervise the dog closely and catch him before his elimination. Teach him not to do it. Give food treat rewards. "My son could do it," she complained about the husband who would be busy using computers. The dog would then eliminate on the carpet. Mum had to get the maid to get the carpet cleaned. The dog would do it again!


Just don't allow the dog upstairs for some time (Time-Out Methd) if he eliminates. In the end, I doubted she would find peace of mind.

462. Adult dog re-training to indoor elimination

DRAFT

Suggestions may or may not work in your case.
1. You need many days to confine him in the bathroom for the whole day and night. Feeding and drinking inside this confined area or big crate but sleeping and eating areas are far from the elimination area. .
2. Put newspapers with his urine smell present in the newspapers at one corner. Or newspapers with the pieces of grass and soil in which he had peed.
3. Praise him when you see him eliminating on the papers. Give food treats.
4. It will take patience and perseverance on your part. It may take 14 days.
5. Pl let me know your success.


--- On Sun, 9/27/09, ...@hotmail.com> wrote:


Subject: RE: Toilet Training a 3 year-old Shih Tzu
To: drsing_98@yahoo.com
Cc: david@asiahomes.com
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2009, 12:14 PM

1 & 2. his water were freely available and he drinks about 200-300ml,and max. to 500ml per day.
3. We're staying in an apartment, like i said we used to trained him to pee & poo outside (meaning outside of our unit but still in that compound). Sometimes when we brought him out to somewhere with grass, he will sniff & eliminate more than usual.

Btw, i cant see any suggestion fm yr previous email nor other separated email as mentioned below. Pls resend if there's some error occurs.
Thanks.


Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:49:55 -0700
From: drsing_98@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: Toilet Training a 3 year-old Shih Tzu


1. How many ml of water he drinks? Can you measure?
2. Is water freely available?
Here are my suggestions which may or may not work in your situation:
3. Does he eliminate on a certain outdoor area with grass?


--- On Sat, 9/26/09, ...@hotmail.com> wrote:



Subject: RE: Toilet Training a 3 year-old Shih Tzu
To: drsing_98@yahoo.com
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009, 4:01 PM

Thanks Dr. Sing fr yr reply.

Yes, he's totally used to pee & poo outdoors. We've tried several ways to change his habit but eventually he refused to it.
We initially used to bring him out to poo & pee during morning before we go out to work and every evening after his meal (we only feed him once per day 6-8pm)
Please let me know if u wish to know any further of his habits.

Thanks heaps.


Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:11:10 -0700
From: drsing_98@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Toilet Training a 3 year-old Shih Tzu


Your adult dog is used to peeing and pooping outdoors. You need to change his habit to eliminate indoors gradually. Please let me know his routine of feeding, drinking and exercise and also:
1. When he goes outdoors to eliminate?



--- On Fri, 9/25/09, ...@hotmail.com> wrote:



Subject: Toilet Training a 3 year-old Shih Tzu
To: drsing@toapayohvets.com, judy@toapayohvets.com
Date: Friday, September 25, 2009, 5:45 AM

Hi Dr. sing,

Ive came across your website to know about Toa Payoh Vets but unfortunately i was staying in Malaysia.
There's few questions that i would like to ask about my pet - a 3 year-old male Shih Tzu.

Initially my dog was trained to pee n poo outside of our apartment but due to some reasons we decided to re-train him to eliminate in the toilet. We'd tried to cover newspaper 100% inside the toilet, place another 2nd piece of paper (with urinate) and also some products like house breaking spray to be used. But my dog refused to pee or poo after meal (we only feed once per day). We tried to cover with baby gate as well so that he wasn't afraid of being alone inside the toilet. And it's more than 48 hours he dont pee or poo.

Btw, my dog has a very good temper. He does not bark even if we kept him inside the toilet for more than 6 hours. So my questions are, how long we should take him out again to pee and poo if he insist not to do his business inside the toilet? And how long the duration takes to train a 3 year-old dog? Is there any other options or tips of training him to pee inside the toilet?

Thanks alot in advance and looking fwd to hear fm you soon.

461. Two-hourly toilet training - pup

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore




--- On Thu, 9/17/09, ...@gmail.com> wrote:


Subject: Toilet Training our New Pup
To: judy@toapayohvets.com
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 3:30 AM

Dear Dr Sing

I read with great interest your website and your wealth of knowledge around toilet training pups - thanks so much for sharing.

We are getting a PWD Pup next week from Australia. He is 12 weeks old and one of our first priorities is to toilet train him, as we live in a condo. We are personally not in favor of the pee tray and wanted to know if there is any problem with taking the pup down to pee every 2 hours or so? We realise this will be hard on us initially, but feel that it might be worthwhile to invest in this time upfront, so that he learns to eliminate outside the house, over time. I would love to have your opinion on this.

Secondly, can you advise on where we can purchase the wire pup pens that you have shown on your web site? I feel it's a better option that gating as we can move the pen wherever we want.

Look forward to hearing from you and thanks again!

Name of owner



E-MAIL REPLY

Thank you for email. In reply, taking out the pup 2 hourly is in theory, a good idea. But can you really wake up past midnight to do it for 7 nights or more? This is when most owners can't wake up. If you can, it may work. No water after 8 pm is a tip. Sleep next to the pup (pup in playpen) for the 7 nights and bring the pup to the toilet when you observe signs of elimination. In this way, you will note when the pup needs to eliminate. It may not be exactly 2 hourly. Using the guide of N-1 where N-months in age of the pup, a 3-month old
is, in theory, going to need to pee 2 hourly. This is just a guide and not a scientific formula.

Playpens can be bought at most pet shops selling pups in Singapore. Tel 62543326 and leave your tel with Mr Saw so that we can phone you regarding the name of pet shop we vaccinate the pups if you want to buy a particular type of playpen.

P.S What is a "PWP" pup





--- On Thu, 9/17/09, ...@gmail.com> wrote:


Subject: Re: Toilet Training our New Pup
To: "David Sing"
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 11:34 PM

Thank you Mr Sing for your reply. We were not sure of the confusion we might cause the pup with paper training and taking him every two hours!

A PWD is a Portuguese Water Dog.

Thanks again for your help - much appreciated.


E-MAIL REPLY

Once you have a routine of feeding, exercise and going out for elimination every 2-3 hours,, the normal average pup of 3-4 months of age learns very fast (7-14 days). Of course you need to provide positive reinforcement training, using oral command, food treats and lots of praises on success. And knowing the signs of elimination.

460. Draft - puppy toilet training emails.

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore


DRAFT
Common problems encountered by puppy owners.
The case of whining at night is resolved by giving the puppy more space to sleep, far away from the pee and poop area. In this way, the puppy needs not bother the owner to wake up to change her confined playpen area (soiled by pee). Puppies naturally want a clean place to sleep and some do make a lot of noises after midnight to "call" the owner to come and change the soiled papers or wash the pee pan. Some owners do not know that is the reason but scolds the puppy.



Apr 30, 2009
To: "David Sing"

Hi David,

Thank you for your help so far.
I modified your suggestions :)
At night, we shifted the puppy to the kitchen with a bigger area (using the makeshift play pen).
After the second night, she knew where to pee and poo at the pee pan without whining and disturbing our sleep :)
We also tried to feed her earlier like 8 plus at night to minimise her poo in the middle of the night.
Once again, thank you for your help.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: David Sing
To: Owner
Sent: Saturday, 25 April 2009 7:14:19
Subject: Re: paper training. After midnight whine

1. In most cases, if the puppy whines after midnight e.g. 2-4 am, she wants the soiled pee pan to be cleaned. Many owners think the puppy is seeking attention and scolds her.
2. The only solution I can think of is to get up and do it for the first few nights.
3. The other solution I was telling you is to place the puppy in a small room e.g. bathroom and open one side of the playpen. Cover the floor of the bathroom with newspapers. The puppy can then go to the newspapers to pee.

In addition, no more drinking after 8 pm so as to help the puppy in toilet-training past midnight.

4. Pl confirm that you use a pee pan + grill (grate) which is placed inside the playpen. Can you e-mail to me 3 pictures of the housing and pee pan + grill for your puppy?






Reply from Dr Sing Apr 25, 2009

1. In most cases, if the puppy whines after midnight e.g. 2-4 am, she wants the soiled pee pan to be cleaned. Many owners think the puppy is seeking attention and scolds her.
2. The only solution I can think of is to get up and do it for the first few nights.
3. The other solution I was telling you is to place the puppy in a small room e.g. bathroom and open one side of the playpen. Cover the floor of the bathroom with newspapers. The puppy can then go to the newspapers to pee.

In addition, no more drinking after 8 pm so as to help the puppy in toilet-training past midnight.

4. Pl confirm that you use a pee pan + grill (grate) which is placed inside the playpen. Can you e-mail to me 3 pictures of the housing and pee pan + grill for your puppy?




Subject: Re: paper training
To: "David Sing"
Date: Friday, April 24, 2009, 12:19 AM

Hi David,

The puppy is able to go to the pee pan with grill to pee successfully.
No, we keep the puppy in the play pen at night. We let her out to play in the evening time though.
However, the puppy will whine and whine at night for us to clear her grill after she poo.
These few nights she was also very whiny at night.
Even after clearing the poo, she demanded our attention.
Is there a way from preventing the puppy from disrupting our sleep?
We thought we already solved the problem after the initial few nights of whining.
Bella (puppy) started the whining again........

Rgds,
XXX




From: David Sing
To: XXX
Sent: Wednesday, 22 April 2009 7:22:33
Subject: Re: paper training

1. Yes, it is possible for the puppy to pee on the pee pan if it will do it.
2. If you feel it is dirty, you may need to buy a pee pan with grate and train the puppy to step onto the grate and pee on it.
3. Did you put the puppy in the toiilet. Then you open the playpen at night and let the puppy come out to pee?






From: XXX
Subject: Re: paper training
To: "David Sing"
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 2:24 AM

Hi David,

Thank you for your suggestion.
The puppy learnt pretty fast.
Now it is pretty ok at night except in the morning, when she demands to be let out.
It's pretty understandable since she is in the play pen for hours at night.
We think it's prety dirty for her to step on the newspapers overnight though.
Can we put a pee tray on top the newspapers area?
Is it possible for the puppy to pee on the pee tray?

Rgds,
XXX





From: David Sing
To: XXX
Sent: Wednesday, 15 April 2009 8:12:35
Subject: Re: paper training

Your puppy makes a lot of noises after midnight to tell you to change soiled newspapers as he has a very clean personality. You are correct in understanding what he wants. This is quite a common situation encountered by other puppy owners.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Get up and change the papers for the next few nights and thereby paper-training the puppy faster.

2. Don't get up. The puppy will stop after some nights. But you may see the puppy's foot with stools and urine


3. My advices which may of use to you and which may not, depending on the puppy's personality:

Give the puppy a bigger space (not being confined in the playpen) past midnight. For example, a bathroom with newspapers all over the floor for the first 7-14 days and a baby gate.

The playpen with newspapers (and puppy urine smell, place 2nd piece of soiled newspaper) is left open (3 sides standing, one panel taken off). Some puppies are smart enough to go inside the playpen to pee and poop and sleep outside (esp. if there is a towel or bed and if they don't chew them).

3.1 No water after 8 p.m. Get the puppy to pee by command before your bedtime (I presume it will be 11 pm). Say "Pee here". If successful, give praise and food treat. Clear up the soiled papers.

Let me know if this method works. Persevere. Don't expect instant results.







From: XXX
Subject: Re: paper training
To: "David Sing"
Date: Monday, April 13, 2009, 2:08 AM

Hi David,

I am following the advice from the website.

1) Setting up a playpen with newspapers all over it. Trying to keep her there for 2 weeks to paper train her. But we let her out to play when we can monitor all her movements. She will always attempt to pee and poo outside the playpen.
2) The puppy is with us for 2 nights only at the moment. We are trying to feed her three times a day but timing is not fixed yet.
3) Supposed to be 6 weeks old but based on description from book, it should be only 5 weeks old.

Rgds,
XXX


From: David Sing
To: XXX
Sent: Monday, 13 April 2009 7:20:25
Subject: Re: paper training

Thank you for email.
1. Which method of paper training are you using. Pl describe.
2. What is your routine time for feeding and drinking?
3. How old is the puppy?





--- On Sun, 4/12/09, Darren Lee wrote:


From: XXX Dog Owner
Subject: paper training
To: judy@toapayohvets.com
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2009, 5:07 PM



Hi Judy,

I am currently using your method to paper train my puppy. However, the puppy will make lots of noise in the middle of the night for us to clear the soiled papers. However, as we are holding day jobs, can we only clean the soiled papers in the morning? As the puppy tend to whine a few times in the night.

Rgds,
XXX

459. Toilet-training OLDER DOGS - a 2-year-old Maltese

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore


DRAFT
Common problems faced by any dog owner WITH an adult non-neutered male and solutions
A real-case study.



Saturday, May 9, 2009 10:32 PM
From:
This sender is DomainKeys verified
"David Sing"
View contact details
To: XXX

Thank you for your email. You are very patient with the grown up dog and takes a lot of time to train him with lots of love and positive reinforcement training.

Yes, your male dog is urine-marking. This is a natural behaviour. He should have been neutered at 6 months of age to prevent this behaviour. Neutering now will help but the success rate is not as high, according to some of my dog owners.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO URINE MARKING PROBLEMS:
1. Confine to crate at all times for 2-4 weeks except when you are able to supervise him at all times (see paragraph 4).
2. Neuter him.
3. Allow him to come out of the crate before breakfast, lunch and dinner. But bring him outdoors to pee and urine mark.
4. Neutralise "urination" areas with white vinegar:water 1:3 with piece of cloth a few times esp. vertical areas with urine marking.
5. Allow him out of the crate when you are at home and able to supervise him closely in case he wants to urine-mark.
6. This routine gives him a chance to urine-mark outdoors e.g. tree trunks and not make your apartment smelly. It is not a good community advice from me. It is best to neuter the dog to reduce the anti-social behaviour of urine-marking although it is not a guarantee. In most cases, with my suggested routine mentioned above, the dog stops urine-marking inside the apartment.

7. So far, I have one case. The owner of a male 1.5-year-old Miniature Schnauzer with a similar challenge as yours. Her teenaged daughter was against neutering and therefore the male dog urine-marked all over the apartment, causing considerable distress to the mum.

The modern Singapore mum does pamper the progeny and therefore the maid has to clean up everytime the male Schnauzer urine-marks. He even did it on the carpet. The dog came in for vaccination and I got to know that the mum was living with this problem for the past 1 year. The teenaged daughter seemed to understand the mum's distress during our discussion. She reluctantly agreed to neutering which she considered as "cruel" and did some research on the internet as regards vasectomy and phoned me. I told her that vasectomy would not resolve this urine-marking problem.

The dog was neutered. I kept the dog in Toa Payoh Vets for 10 days while she got her maid to neutralise the apartment. At Toa Payoh Vets, we took the dog outdoors 3 times a day, after meals. He controlled his bladder till he was outdoors. The owner continued the same routine of outdoor exercise 3x/day and confinement in a crate (or balcony) when not supervised. For the past month, there has been no urine-marking inside the apartment. The mum was so happy. It is very difficult to remove urine smells from carpets and that was what was distressing her so much.

I hope the info helps.



From: XXX
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 6:08 PM
To: 'drsing@toapayohvets.com'
Cc: 'judy@toapayohvets.com'
Subject: 459. Toilet-training OLDER DOGS - a 2-year-old Maltese (http://puppytoilettraining.blogspot.com/2009/04/459-toilet-training-older-dogs-2-year.html)

Dear Dr. Kong,

If you remember, I wrote to you some time back on April 24 about certain issues with regards to toilet-training my 2 year old newly adopted maltese. You very kindly gave me some advice! Thanx for that ! :)

Meanwhile, there are some developments that I wanted to update you about & ask for further advice.
I have also attached some images to this e-mail so that you can see our current kitchen that we are placing DDD, our maltese in.

In my previous e-mail, I indicated that he seemed to know how to go to pee on the newspaper that I've placed in the kitchen toilet.
At times, there were 3-4 accidents when we let him outside the kitchen area into the living room or dining areas whereby we were not observant enough to catch him in time to bring him to the kitchen toilet area. But surprisingly, there were also 2-3 other times whereby he actually walked into the kitchen toilet from wherever else he was in the house to pee on the paper! So, it seemed like things were improving.

However, in the last 4 days, things suddenly seem to have taken for the worse.
Previously, when we leave him in the kitchen during our working hours 8a.m. - 6.30p.m. & at night when we sleep between 10.30p.m. - 6.30a.m.; he will always pee on the kitchen toilet newspaper. As of Tuesday , 5 May 2009, he started peeing at 4 different spots around the kitchen! Near the wall ledges & even the fridge corner. What's causing this behaviour? Is it because he is not fully toilet-trained or is he doing it on purpose? He is currently not sterilized. Is this causing him to "mark territory" as some people call it?

Given this situation, does it mean that I should go back to your initial instructions of teaching him from scratch?
i.e. confining him in just the small kitchen toilet area.

As of now, during DDD's time alone, we place him in Kitchen areas II & III. When we are home, we will extend the space to Kitchen area I & then from 8p.m. - 10.30p.m., he's allowed to roam the living room & my study room.

My parents & I have actually been using negative reinforcement upon advice from other dog owners.
i.e. whenever he peed in a wrong spot, we'll bring him there, let him smell the area & spank his backside with our hands 2x, saying no at the same time. But immediately after, we'll then guide him to the kitchen toilet newspaper & say "pee here" & "good boy", cuddling him a little there at the same time.


RE: Newly Adopted 2- year old Maltese
Friday, April 24, 2009 11:24 PM
From:
"David Sing"
View contact details
To: Owner XXX

See reply below.

--- On Thu, 4/23/09, XXX wrote:


Date: Thursday, April 23, 2009, 2:56 AM

Dear Dr. Kong,

Appreciate your e-mail.

Can I get your advice based on my schedule & how things have been for the last week.

Date of Adoption: 11th April 2009
Age: 2 year old Maltese, Male, Not Neutered

I've been keeping DDD in the kitchen with the newspaper on a pee pad nearer the other end just outside the toilet. I'm usually away from home from 8a.m. - 7.30p.m. Afterwhich I'll let him out to roam the house & follow me. At night I'll put him away in the kitchen again from 11.30p.m. - 7.15a.m. Between 7.15 - 8a.m. before I leave house, I'll play & cuddle him a little whilst preparing myself for work. He's been great so far!!! Knows how to pee on the newspaper but because he's left alone during the day without any change in newspapers, there was one time he accidentally stepped on his poo poo. Other times, he mis-aimed & poo poo is either on the floor right next to the pee pad, or there's a small puddle of pee on the floor instead. How do I handle & prevent this situation?

HE WANTS TO AVOID THE SOILED PAPERS WHICH ARE NOT REPLACED DUE TO YOUR ABSENCE FROM HOME (YOU ARE WORKING). TO YOU HE HAS "MIS-AIMED".

SOLUTIONS:
1. A friend comes to your house to replace the soiled papers with new ones at e.g. lunch-time.
2. PLACE NEWSPAPERS IN 3 OR 4 SPOTS IN THE KITCHEN SO THAT HE HAS A NEW TOILET-AREA. SOME OWNERS DO THAT. ARE YOU DOING IT?
3. JUST COVER THE KITCHEN FLOOR WITH NEWSPAPERS EXCEPT HIS SLEEPING AND EATING AREA.

Another enquiry is that ever since he's been staying with me, every night when he's placed in the kitchen, he whines & scratches the kitchen door. I have yet to get a baby gate.

PUPPY MAY BE SUFFERING FROM SEPARATION ANXIETY AS HE CAN SEE YOU. THEREFORE SCRATCHES DOOR TILL IT IS DAMAGED. BEST YOU GET A BABY GATE OR PUT A HIGH FENCING USING PLAYPEN PANELS. THE PUPPY IS A SOCIAL ANIMAL AND SHOULD BE HAPPY JUST TO SEE YOU BEHIND THE BABY GATE.



Things got worse last night when my parents came back. Bailey had to re-adjust to new-comers in the house & he refused to go into the kitchen. Even my usual method of throwing treats to one corner of the kitchen to distract him to go & stay in the kitchen didn't work this time. I had to chase him round the house for a while before being able to carry him into the kitchen.
NO OTHER WAY THAN TO CATCH HIM AND CARRY HIM TO THE KITCHEN. HE JUST DOES NOT WANT TO BE FENCED UP OR LOCKED UP. THAT IS WHY HE REFUSES TO GO TO THE KITCHEN DESPITE FOOD TREATS ETC. HE IS GROWING UP AND BECOMING WISER TO YOUR 'MANIPULATIONS'.

NO, I DOUBT HE WILL BE SCARED SINCE YOU DON'T PHYSICALLY HIT HIM LIKE SOME PUPPY OWNERS. YOU MAY NEED TO BE MORE COMMANDING TO GAIN HIS RESPECT. I GUESS YOU ARE MORE A FRIEND THAN A PACK LEADER TO HIM. SO HE BEHAVES BY NOT LISTENING TO YOUR GENTLE FRIENDLY TONES.




Is this the right way? Is he scared of me unduly? Cos i dont' want that to be the case :( :(

Please advice.
Thanx!!!!!!

Warm Regards,

XXX




-----Original Message-----
From: Kong Yuen Sing [mailto:99pups@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 7:23 PM
To: XXX
Subject: Re: Newly Adopted 2- year old Maltese

Thank you for your email.

As each dog behaves differently, I can only propose the following which may be suitable as your dog is mature and almost paper-trained:

1. Keep dog in toilet for 2-4 weeks but with a baby gate so that he can see you.
2. Place newspapers 100% on floor.
3. Place dog's urine smell on newspapers (use 2nd piece of newspaper with urine).
4. Observe the location where the dog pees and poops (usually away from sleeping area).
5. Reduce the papered area by 50% gradually over 1-2 weeks such that his toilet location is the newspaper.
6. Say "pee here" (on newspapers) and give food treats on success (if you are around). Persevere.
7. Change soiled papers promptly.
8. Open the baby gate but not to give the dog excessive area. Increase the area of freedom by a room and monitor. If dog goes to paper by himself, you give praise and food treats. Persevere.
9. Neutralise "accident" areas of peeing with white vinegar:water 1:3
8. Let me know how long you will take to succeed.


On 4/13/09, Dog Owner XXX wrote:

Dear Dr. Kong Sing,

I came across your blog http://puppytoilettraining.blogspot.com/ through google & was wondering whether I can e-mail you for some advice.

I've just adopted a 2-year old Maltese on Saturday afternoon & he's been with me for 2 nights.
Previous owner caged him up for almost a year with hardly any run-around play time because of certain circumstances. He's kinda paper-trained. But what I would like to do is to get him used to his new environment whereby he does it in the toilet instead, but still on paper.

Is it the right way to train him if I were to confine him in just the toilet area with the paper within? Food & water to place on another side.


Warm Regards,

XXX

458. How to stop the male dog from urine-marking inside the apartment?

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore

HOW TO STOP YOUR ADULT MALE DOG FROM URINE-MARKING INSIDE THE APARTMENT
Tuesday, April 21, 2009

On March 31, 2009, the 1.5-year-old Miniature Schnauzer was neutered. He stayed 10 days at Toa Payoh Vets so that we could condition and train him to pee and poop outdoors as he had vigorously urine-marked the apartment at home. The mother was at a loss as to what to do. So I proposed re-training him to eliminate outdoors by confinement in the crate while not being exercised 3 times/day.

In the meantime, the mother would neutralise all the urine smells at home. At the end of 10 days, the dog would go home but be crated for 1 month while being exercised outdoors 3 times/day as at Toa Payoh Vets.

Picture is at: http://www.asiahomes.com/singaporerealty/0607hunting_bigdining.htm


The mum came today to get the neuter and the microchip certificates to renew his dog licence at the Post Office.

"How's the dog nowadays?" I asked the mum.

"He is doing well and does not pee indoors anymore as he is outdoors 3x/day," the mum said. "I needed to ask where he vomited yesterday and on the day he came home. On the day he came home, the cause could be due to the car ride, but last week he vomited once again."

"Did your daughter bring him downstairs?" I asked.

"No," the mother said. "She's busy at school. The maid did it."

"Most likely the dog had eaten grass or something in the grass outdoors," I guessed. "Ask the maid."

The mother nodded her head.

"He is a lucky dog," I said. "Usually other dogs go outdoors 2x/day or less."

The mum was happy anyway. I continued, "After one month, let the dog wander around the house in between his outings per day and see what happens. If he does not urine-mark inside the apartment, it will be considered a great success."