Advice with stubborn potty trainer

[Lois]

Hi All,
New to the site - but not the breed. Have 2 Australians (3 years old) - a permanent doggy door and great yard to play. When my children were younger had a wonderful Frenchy who was a bit difficult to train but really terrific.
My daughter moved home 2 months ago with her now 8 month old Frenchy. She is so fun, great personality, loving, stubborn and still pottys multiple times during the week in the house. Definitely not desperate to get out because the doggy door is always available and she goes out sometime to potty, sometimes to play, and sometimes to get in trouble! She has good role models with the girls & they love her. She will often come in and potty near the doggy door. I take her out often, use a command and praise. Any suggestions?

 

[Stuart]

Our 6 1/2 month old just got the hang of it in the last month or so. I have to be honest, it was probably us that got the hang of when he needed to go more than us training him. We did 2x in the morning. 20 minutes after eating, after all playtimes, before and after walks. We still praise him whenever he goes outside. We also have 2 other dogs who are awesome role models, but he couldnt care less. He just started giving a signal of being generally excited or 2 paws on your legs to let us know he needs to go out. It was more of him always relieving himself outside, rather than we potty trained him. Don’t give up, this breed can have its challenges, but as you already know, they are so worth it.

 

[mattcantwin]

I'm probably the only one here who did this, but I used a pad outside, always in the same spot; worked for Loki.

 

[Mechadogzilla]

I found it was a mixed bag with Frenchies. One of mine was pretty good from the start while the other would have accidents even when he was over 10 if it were cold or rainy, and he didn’t want to go outside. Both Frenchies were much harder to potty train than my current Rottweiler.

 

[FroxerMom]

My Frenchie had accidents still at 1 when we first brought her home, but with praise and treats EVERY SINGLE time she goes outside, she has not had a single accident since. She is almost 2 1/2 years old and I still give treats right away after she potties. It has become so routine that she goes and then sits and looks up at me while I am getting her treat out. It keeps my carpets, furniture, and bedding pee free, and it's some extra calories during the day which I feel she needs, so it is worth it to me.

 

[mattcantwin]

She is almost 2 1/2 years old and I still give treats right away after she potties.

You’re not alone, Loki gets a piece of cookie whenever he poops outside.

He definitely knows this and we know when he runs in through the the doggie door all excited it’s time to go out outside to verify he earned a piece of cookie (most recently Chips Ahoy).

 

[Lois]

Thanks everyone. I'll take any advise available. "Baby" isn't treat motivated. I'm trying to get her to use the doggy door - which is always available. She knows how to use it / and goes outside to investigate and bring sticks and critters in the house. I don't know why she doesn't associate it with bathroom time also.???

 

[tanyakharus]

Frenchies definitely can be stubborn when it comes to potty training. The trick is consistency and repetition. It takes approximately 3 weeks to form a new habit, so if you are starting a new routine, or trying to get rid of a bad habit give it time, and be diligent and consistent. (meaning don't change your new routine within that 3 weeks). Given that you have a doggy door I might watch her more closely to see if she gives signs that she needs to potty and take the initiative in taking her outside when you notice those signs (such as sniffing the floor to find a perfect place to go potty). Hope this helps!

I have written a blog on how I potty train my puppies and its always worked for me and every puppy I have ever had. You are welcome to read it here if you would like to! https://www.nwfrenchies.com/blog/2018/10/14/pottytraining