What issues might an older pet store puppy have with training?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Milo is adorable! Sadly there are some small breed dogs that will just not house train. But I think also that some owners give up because it is so hard. I think Milo needs to be crated when you aren't home due to his destructive nature and because he is not house trained. When you are home he should be leashed to you at all times and taken out very often. If he doesn't go when you think he should, he goes in the crate. All other rooms should be blocked by a door or gate so he can't wander off to eliminate in the house. Use special delicious treats, praise and play with him for 10 mins after he goes outside, even bring a favorite toy. He can never be out of the crate when you aren't home or when you are asleep. You can also train him to ring a bell when he needs to eliminate. It may take 2-3 months but if you are aggressive about it hopefully it will work. Also you may have to consider neutering him to fully eliminate marking behaviors. The destructive behavior will hopefully go away with age, but you can consider doggie daycare during the work week to decrease time in the crate. I hope this helps and I wish you and Milo the best!

Snoopy is absolutely adorable!! I would keep Snoopy in the crate when you cannot keep 100% watch on him. When he comes out of the crate I would then walk him (on a leash even if the backyard is enclosed). After he goes to the bathroom he can go off leash to play. If he goes then I would play with him and once you have to turn your back he goes back in the crate. If he does not go to the bathroom when you take him out of the crate I would put him back in for 20 minutes and try again. If you catch him going to the bathroom tell him no and take him and put him where you want him to go and praise him for going. If you just see the accident then clean it up and do not say anything to him. A crate should be big enough for him to stand up, sit down and turn around. The crate is a very safe option and dogs end up loving their crates, it's their safe house. Since we do not know what type of life Snoopy had previously this process can take some time and patience. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello. It is never too early to start some very basic training & advocating for good manners in a puppy. Discourage any chewing or rough play using hands or feet. Gentle reminders & plenty or other things to chew on are the key. If your pup is already on a solid, but soft diet, then do not let her charge over & eat her food in seconds. Make her sit as quiet as possible for 10-15 seconds before allowing her to eat. Begin some basic obedience with her. Sit, stay, shake a paw are all possible for her to begin to understand at this age. While you can not take her out to associate with others, as soon as she has had all of her puppy shots, begin to socialize her with other pets & people ( as long as it is safe to do so with this pandemic ). If you treat her well, with a firm kindness, she should respond well to you. We will just have to wait & see how things progress with this virus, but the more professional training help you can get, the better a canine citizen your pup will be. Chances are she will do just fine. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Firstly, do not get a one month old puppy. Puppies should not be weaned until 8 weeks of age (2 months). Getting a puppy that has been weaned too early is a very bad idea. Honestly, for a first dog, you are better off getting an adult. Have you not considered adopting a dog from a shelter? It is cruel to make a dog only use pee pads because you don't want to scoop poop from the yard. Dogs are meant to go outside, smell the grass, mark their territory, etc. Those are natural behaviors that dogs need to do. A dog is not an accessory meant to do only what we want it to do. It is a living, breathing being that has needs that must be met. I don't mean to sound harsh but it does not sound like a dog is good for your lifestyle. Smelling dog urine and feces over a long period of time would not be good for your respiratory health. That is true.

I would recommend crate training Bear. I would keep Bear in the crate when you cannot keep 100% watch on him. When he comes out of the crate I would then walk him or put him on the pee pad (depending on where you want him to go). If he goes then I would play with him and once you have to turn your back he goes back in the crate. If he does not go to the bathroom when you take him out of the crate I would put him back in for 20 minutes and try again. Remember he is only 3 1/2 months old so he will still have accidents. If you catch him going to the bathroom tell him no and take him and put him where you want him to go and praise him for going. If you just see the accident then clean it up and do not say anything to him. Bear should only be crated for 3 hours right now at a time. How ever many months he is plus 1 is the number of hours you can leave him in at a time. A crate should be big enough for him to stand up, sit down and turn around. If you do not want to use a crate do the same idea with the bathroom. The crate is a very safe option and dogs end up loving their crates, it's their safe house. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These types of behavior can improve though this does require in person training with the help of a qualified dog trainer. I would encourage you to contact a dog trainer that can work with you and her in person to really take care of this behavior. The sooner these behaviors are dealt with, the more likely it is that you can improve and resolve them. Good luck and have a good night!

Some dogs house break easier than others. Small male dogs can be the hardest to house break. I would recommend to continue treating them as if they are little puppies. Its still important to eliminate the potential to have accidents in the house. Until you are sure they will not longer potty in the house, continue the focus on housebreaking.