Summer or Winter Training

tiredguy · 12-03-2007, 02:16 PM

I might just be over thinking this, but I wanted to get some other opinions.

Is it easier to train a puppy in the spring/summer. over say the fall/winter.

Here what i'm basing this on. My pup now 14 weeks old, hasn't had a mess in the house now for over 2 almost 3 weeks. This weekend it snowed, really really snowed up here... he hated it had to fight with him to get him outside. This weekend alone, he popped twice in the house... So I was thinking, he just hates the snow that much... and made me thinking about best time of the year to get a pup and such, just wanted some thoughts, I would say Spring just after the muddy time of the year.

Lexxsmom · 12-03-2007, 02:19 PM

i'd have to agree, making a puppy go outside when its 14F and snowing isn't fun. BUt then again, not everyone is blessed with the joys of winter!

**doberkim** · 12-03-2007, 09:15 PM

I think for housebreaking, summer/spring/fall months are certainly easier than the winter - Berlin peed in the house 3 times this weekend because she didn't want to go out in the hail! Can't say I blame her, but nice weather certainly makes housebreaking easier.

MaryAndDobes · 12-03-2007, 09:22 PM

I think we had one accident in the house last week between the two puppies and then yesterday hit. We had rain/sleet/mist/drizzle/snow, etc, and we also had a few accidents in the house. However, I have to also think that we were probably getting a little complacent after a really good week.

I have a 6 X 8' greenhouse with cedar shavings on my patio right outside my family room. My puppies go there for their business, so really they aren't having to face that much weather. Just the cold more than anything.

**Luvbirds59** · 12-04-2007, 06:49 AM

I got Petey on January 12th, and thankfully we had a pretty mild Winter. He didn't mind the cold one bit, and house broke really quickly. Must be that Russian blood!

oxc

**doberkim** · 12-04-2007, 07:10 AM

Lucky you Carol, stop bragging

I think Berlin's thing is that in the middle of the night, she's going out alone so she feels the cold. Other times, I have the boys out with her, and she's more encouraged to go out and walk around to do her business. At night it's just her and I

**Luvbirds59** · 12-04-2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doberkim

Lucky you Carol, stop bragging

I think Berlin's thing is that in the middle of the night, she's going out alone so she feels the cold. Other times, I have the boys out with her, and she's more encouraged to go out and walk around to do her business. At night it's just her and I

He he he.....I'm sure it will come back to bite me in the asse....it always does, my whole life I haven't been able to toot my own horn with out something changing very quickly...for the bad! I can see it now....Petey will start marking all over the place starting today! I can tell you one thing...while in the thick of puppyhood, I kept thinking how another puppy wouldn't be so bad, it would give Petey some one to play with....now that he is maturing....I'm thinking....I love having just the Prince who is turning into a very mellow, fellow, and now I don't have to watch ever single move he makes. That will last until you post pictures of your girl!

oxc

Reds · 12-04-2007, 08:26 AM

I haven't had an accident in the house for over 3 weeks, and then it was just a pee from Ares who hadn't figured out how to tell me he needed to go! Yahoooooo! Apollo comes to me, looks me in the eye and whines when he needs to go.

They don't like going out in the cold, but when there is rain I have to push them gently out the door. Okay maybe a little more than gently....lol!

JavasMom · 12-04-2007, 08:43 AM

Java was 8 mos when she saw her first snowfall. I made sure to shovel the back stoop and a large section for her to do her business in. Divas don't like putting their delicate parts in the snow! This year I went a step further and put an old piece of astroturf (5 x 7) that she steps onto. It's easy to sweep/shovel off, won't ice over, plus since we still need to landscape the back, keeps the mud off her paws in the spring.

Long story short - clearing an area for him to use might make things easier for the both of you. Plus you'll need to be a bit more conscious of his schedule - when the temps really drop, I have been known to push Java's bum out the door because I know she has to go but would rather not deal with the cold. And yes the look your Dobe will give you will be the most pathetic one you have ever seen. It ends up being the fastest pee in history, but at least it happens outside and not inside....

**Kratty** · 12-04-2007, 09:00 AM

It really doesn't matter to us. I try to expose them to it all, rain, sleet snow,cold weather, etc. I think a key point is to go with them to keep them focused on what you want them to do. The first time I tried to get the little one out in the rain, she stuck her head out the door and peed in the door way. Now when I go out there with her, its no problem. We do our business and back into the house. Plus they love the toweling off part when they come in, its a bonus for them.