Dirty puppies!

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forums and am hoping you can give me some good advice as I'm reaching despair point with my two border collie puppies. They are 3 1/2 months old and I'm having trouble with toilet training. They are very obedient in all other aspects of their training and have learnt loads of commands already. They just can't seem to stop pooping in the house, especially at night. They sleep in a big cage but every morning I am getting up to a real squidgy mess. I think it's because they are eating poop every time they go out. They understand "NO" the rest of the time but it seems the temptation is too much when it comes to eating poop, and by the time I've pulled them away it's usually too late.
Now it's starting to make them sick (one of them vomited poop all over a friend's cream carpet last night which was just marvellous).
I know eating poop is a puppy "phase" but when will they stop doing it? Surely they should be well on the way to being fully house trained by three months? The general consensus from other collie owners I've spoken to seems to be about two weeks from bringing them home, and we've had them home now for nearly two months. They came from a farm and I'm wondering whether that might also have made a diference?
They are on proper puppy food recommended by the vet so I don't think their diet is the issue. Any suggestions?

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Holly Crow

• Last online: 9 Oct 2007
• Young Pup
• Posts: 6
• Registered: 15 January 2007
• From: Barrow Upon Humber, UK

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Hi Sally,

I don't envy you going through all that home training at the moment. I think my Siberian Husky was about 4 or 4 and a half months when he finally got the idea that messing inside was a bad idea. I had got my other dog from a rescue at 2 and a half and so had never gone through the house training with him. Everyone kept giving me a stack of useless advice about rubbing their nose in it etc etc. I found the best approach was not to make a massive fuss, but just put him straight outside (completely emotionless) then clear up the mess. Then let him back in and give him his morning biscuit! I sure there are people who will frown on this and it did take me a while to complete the house training -but he hasn't had an accident since!! And he's turned into such a 'chilled'young dog -it certainly hasn't done him any harm. It takes endless patience though!
He also used to eat dog and cat mess, but never to the extent yours obviously are. I kept saying 'Yuk' and pulling him away, so he eventually got the message. I have always picked their dog mess up from the garden straight away, so it only tended to happen on walks.
Anyway I hope the idea that you are not alone is some consulation to you. And good luck with the house training!

Hi there! I, too, an new to all this forum lark, but had to respond to you. I'm not a lot of help I'm afraid. We too have 2 border collie pups that are now 9 months old, and we are still having trouble house training at night! Also have a golden retriever (2 years +, and rescued just over a year ago) who is perfect!!! Like you, our pups came from a farm but were over 5 months when we had them, so I wondered if it was already ingrained to pee and pooh whenever and wherever. Even in the day they need to go frequently, so I don't like leaving them too long. They do use the old towels provided in one corner, so it's not too much of a headache, and they are much better than they were. Some of the problem, I believe, having had many dogs over 50 years now, without a problem, is that there are 2 siblings. One of ours will now bark to be let out, and the other will just do what he has to do without fuss,(I don't know which I prefer in the night!!!). Well, I think that's the case, and I've only just determined which one does what. Up until now it's been impossible to tell. I've brought their evening meal time forward to 5pm from 6pm. They have to have 2 small meals as the retriever has a hiatus hernia. It has helped, so possibly one feed a day in the morning might solve the problem, but yours are a bit young for that really. Ours always go out with my husband at about 11pm and usually do everything they should (unless the weather is dreadful) but it makes no difference. However, we are now getting 2 or 3 clean nights a week, so I think there's light at the end of the tunnel as they grow up. All I can say is patience, praise, certainly no punishment, and attention to their habits before bedtime. I am reluctant to remove the towels - which may be encouraging their habit, as we have carpet underneath. We're resigned to the fact that it will take as long as it takes. I don't think there is such a thing as a quick fix, anyway. All dogs are different.

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Laura Cannon

• Last online: 26 Aug 2008
• Chesire Cat
• Posts: 36
• Registered: 9 August 2006
• From: Winchester, UK

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Hello
If it makes you feel better Frank still had accidents up to about a year old. His main house training was completed at around 4 months I guess, so the end is in sight for you. I remember it was just at the point where I thought, 'I can't deal with this any more,' that he suddenly got the message and was clean 95% of the time. If it continues at night for a while, don't worry- it's a long time for a little puppy to wait and they don't know how to ask to go out. Decide if you'd rather be woken at 3am by barking or just clear up in the morning!
You could try putting a muzzle on them temporarily to stop the poo eating on walks? Perhaps if they can't get to it for a week or so they will lose the habit? When Frank started doing it I kept him on the lead on walks for a few weeks, but that may not be practical with two.
Laura

Well, just thought I would update to say thanks for all the advice and tips. Pleased to say that (touch wood) the boys are now doing very well and we've had no accidents in the house for a few weeks, and they seem to have lost interest in eating poop (thank goodness!)
I think what made the most difference was changing their food to JUST dry stuff, and reducing the amount they were eating each day slightly for a while. They seem to have it sorted now though, at just over 4-and-a-half months old they haven't done too badly!
I think I'm tempting fate by posting this as they'll probably have a relapse tonight now (!) but I wanted to let you know that all your advice was extremely helpful! Thank you