Need help with 15 week old pups:

[pugzrule]

Ana and Aubrey are now 15 weeks old and they are doing GREAT! We do have a few issues and we'd appreciate some advice or suggestions.

1) We are crate training our girls and when we take them outside, they go. But, it still seems like sometimes they will also go inside for no reason. We let them out to play about 30-45 minutes at a time and this is the time they will go inside (even if we have JUST taken them out!). They even know how to ring the bell by the door and do it pretty often, but it seems like lately, they have backslid. We feel like we (still) have to watch them CONSTANTLY when indoors. For the most part, they go on a schedule, but sometimes they go at random times and surprise us. Is there anything we can do to reduce these indoor accidents? At what age will PUGS "get" that pottying should only be done outdoors?

2) Is it normal for my puppies to constantly want each other's toy? They fight for the same toy non-stop.

3) When will our pugs mellow out and sit next to us and watch a TV show? Will this ever happen?

Hope to hear from you soon!

[bumble]

I really have no experience with the potty thing; someone else will answer that. Get used to it, they're ALWAYS going to want the other's toy/bone/treat. And it will only be about ten years before they're mellow.

[OzzyBear]

About the potty training thing...my pug is the same way and he's almost 6 months old. He's really good about going outside, but still doesn't seem to have a problem going inside, although it has become less often. It's almost like a haitus. For your pugs it might just take some more time to get better control of their bladders and bowels. Try keeping them on the same feeding routine. Take them out every hour, plus about 15-20 minutes after eating or drinking. Also immediately after naps and playing. And any time they start acting like they are going to eliminate. I know it's often but that's how it is, especially at that young age. I was once told by a dog trainer that if they don't go when you take them out, try putting them back in their crates for about 5-10 minutes and try taking them out again. Keep a watchful eye on them at all times (you can confine them to the area you are in or keep them tied to you on a leash. Put them in the crate if they can't be watched. PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE and give treats they find extremely appetizing after they go outside. Consistency goes a long way.

As far as them wanting each other's toys...i'm pretty sure it's normal. My pug always wants our other dogs bone, even if he has the same one.

Pugs are by reputation usually very energetic and lovable dogs. I've met other people with adults that still act the same as they did when they were puppies. So like Bumble said, they may not mellow out until they start getting old.

[Snifter]

1) It takes a long time before they totally "get it". I didn't trust either of mine until they were a year old. If they are let out to play they sometimes find it too exciting to remember to potty so if you have not seen them do so with your own eyes do not trust that they have. You could try taking them out on leash to make it more boring until they potty; then praise, treat and let them off for play.

2) Yes.

3) Who knows? Toddy has just turned 2 and has very recently calmed down a lot. It depends on the pug. However although it can be frustrating at times, please try to enjoy the puppy crazies; you will miss them a little when they stop. Honest.

[Rosiepug]

1) You've done amazingly well to get them to ring a bell and potty outside more often than not. 15 weeks is incredibly young to be house trained. Rosie took sixteen months to 'get it' and even now that she's 6yrs, if she's upset, like we move house or have people over top stay, she can still have an accident.
Pudding was paper trained and weaned herself off them by using them less and less, until she only ever went when we were outside. She was around 14 months when this happened.

2) Oh yes!! One pug always wants what the other has even if you give identical treats or toys!!!
As in this link Antics

3) It depends on the pug but most of them remain babies for a very long time, it's a breed thing. I'd say 2.5 to 3 yrs. Black females have a reputation for being livewires and probably take a long time. some will probably tell you they remain Diva's for life! Pudding is a black soul in a fawn body.... she's going to take three years for sure

[Angus2009]

my bitch pup is also 15 weeks old....
She still has many accidents inside even though she gets countless pee breaks! I don’t think you can expect your pug to be 100% housetrained until at least a year. Angus is now just over 10 months old and I can say *fingers crossed* he’s pretty much house trained, although that doesn’t stop him marking his spot now and again (little devil!) My pup will go out for a wander then come back in and go to paper and do a pee! There so young they don’t understand. It’s been weeks since she has done a poo in the house tho! woohoo no more smellys in the house! Plus she goes all night now without having an accident in her crate! As soon as i get up i let her out the back and she almost goes crossed eyed with the pleasure of having a HUGE pee!! Poor girl!!!

The 'i want your toy thing' I just a typical dogs behaviour.... Anything angus has she wants...angus isn’t to bothered about what she is playing with but ANYTHING he is playing with she has to get it or she will shout at him!! Even at meal times she goes and helps him with his bowl and then once that’s finished she will go to her own! greedy....

I still don’t get proper long cuddles with angus on the sofa, he doesn’t sit still for long enough...there to busy wrestling or up to some form of mischief to be snuggling!! They don’t even snuggle up together yet!! Maybe in 10 years times hahah.

So don’t worry about anything just remember there only 15 weeks old! Have fun while it lasts.

[Charlie Baby]

I'm so jealous that your puppies ring a bell! We are trying to get Charlie to scratch the door, but it has yet to happen....although I think we've got him down to one accident (only pee) a day...We usually don't let Charlie play until he's gone...and then take him to pee again before we come inside...maybe you can try that? I think maybe because there are two of them they rile each other up more? I have twin nieces and that is is certainly what their thing is, I guess if people are like that, dogs must be too!!

[Spinicki82]

I have a 16wk old black pug. She is definitely a live wire. The only time she will settle down and take a nap is in her crate. I take her on two walks a day. She still has the occasional accident. If I can't watch her constantly I leash her to me. I try to take her our every hour and after every meal.

[Suri]

I trained Bo to ring the bell, and it was super cool until he started ringing it all the time, I took it off now I just realized I don't know where it is.

[marilyn31402]

I don't have much advice but i'm in the same position. I have two 12 week old pugs and they are a handle full! OMG and the potty training is horrible on smells the other pee and it's a mess! Im trying to figure out a way to fix it but it's super hard since i have two lol and they are fighting non stop over toys who gets who plate of food and the list goes on. Just wanted you to know i feel your pain lol but they are the best i love them to death lol