Ask Angie and other puppy owners: transitioning from balcony to street toileting

We have randomly ended up with a foster puppy for Christmas and I have never before cared for such a young puppy (15 weeks) in such an urban setting. He was not toilet trained before we received him last week.

Because he hasn’t completed all his shots, for now he can’t walk outdoors as a dog normally would. So, as Angie mentioned in her post about baby Jo, we are using our balcony as a temporary toileting area.

Obviously, we would like to use our balcony for normal purposes in the future, but I worry that the pup will have it ingrained in his mind “balcony is ok for bathroom.” Any tips on how to teach that balcony WAS ok for bathroom before, but now is NOT ok? It seems like a confusing message.

Thanks in advance and merry Xmas!

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3 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh I have no idea since we’ve only had dogs in suburban homes with yards, but just wanted to say congrats! What a cutie!

rachylou

I have used puppy pads for two dogs now, so you teach to the pad… but you have to put down more than one, ‘cuz they need room to turn around.

But with Lilypup, she only uses the puppy pad if outdoors is not available. She prefers that by far.

Bijou

Jessikams, I think your dog will prefer toileting outside to inside because it is their instinct to mark territory and mark where other dogs have marked. Before going out for a walk, my dog Bijou would have a massive drink of water so she could leave her mark at each and every tree and signpost.

Jessikams

He will be really happy when he begins outdoor walks next week. He has way too much energy for the size of this apartment! He’s a Formosan Mountain Dog, so he’s climbing all the furniture like a cat

Helena

No tips as I've never had dogs, but just wanted to say what a cutie this little guy is!

Suz

Oh, what a cutie! I have no advice but I am smiling at the thought of his climbing the furniture!

nemosmom

Those paws!!! *heart eyes*

Anonymous

Awwwwwwww

Style Fan

What a cutie! I have never trained a dog to use the balcony, but I have found that dogs are very adaptable to these things.

Style fan, I sure hope so! Puppy training feels so high-stakes, like if you make a mistake in the training they’ll be badly behaved forever. It’s given me a lot of sympathy for how new moms must feel!

Brooklyn

Jessi, our dog goes to the toilet on command wherever we tell her to go. I think to train him you should utilise the first thing in the morning run, if you know what I mean, because it will coincide with his urges. Escort him to the balcony first thing in the morning. Start using a word for it. (We say “go toiley”.) So he starts to associate the word with the action. When he goes, commend him excessively. When you start taking him outdoors for his toilet breaks, do the same. Get him used to the idea that he goes to the toilet when he’s with you, it’s a joint enterprise, lol. Of course, you must make sure you take him out frequently!

He is seriously cute. Good luck!

Oh, Brooklyn made me think of something, because Lilypup only speaks English half the time… if you can think of a gesture as well as a command, that might also be helpful.

Sadly, I didn’t think this through soon enough and my surefire command for ‘come’ is to bend down. And her best verbal recall is with the word ‘return.’ ‘Come’ barely took at all. Which is interesting, because on return, she’s supposed to spin around and sit down by my side facing not me, but the direction I’m looking in. Something about the extra steps or thoroughness of the finish…

The way they learn is interesting, isn’t it? He got “fetch” right away. But “down” is a struggle.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

CUTE PUPPY!!!! Jessikams, my heart!

What Brooklyn said.

Both Sam and Jo are 100% porch potty trained, AND outside potty trained. We have a proper PORCH POTTY on our balcony with fresh sod that is delivered every few weeks. They only go to the loo ON THE POTTY and nowhere else on the balcony. It's extremely convenient.

https://porchpotty.com/product.....rdAAEEAQYA

Pups need to go every few hours so you need to be vigilant!

Thanks Angie! Good to hear about your system

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