Dog Health Questions: HELP HELP!!!! dog training?

What are the best training practices that can be used for my dog. He is 8 weeks and a shih tz mix. He is left alone for about 3hours thru out the day. While being gates he used the restroom on a training pad. When were home with him he typically barks when he needs to go. Any other solutions??

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Recommended Answer:
Here's some ideas:

-Ditch the potty pads. Trust me.

- Crate him on a regular bed in an appropriately sized crate. A crate should be just large enough for him to stand up and turn around in, no larger. If he has extra room, he will use one side for a potty and hide on the other side. Many people choose crates far too large, because they think it's mean to put their dog in a smaller one. When he's potty trained, you can get him one that's any size you want. For training, keep it small. Like this:
http://www.designer-canines.com/images/p…

That dog can easily stand straight and turn around, but that's it. That's as big as it needs to be. If your crate is too big, get a smaller one, or if you have a divider panel, adjust it to limit the space your dog has.

- Feed him meals, 2x per day, at a set schedule. Make it several hours before you have to leave him alone.

- Always take him for a potty break within 15 minutes of mealtime.

- Do not leave him with food or water when you are gone. He will not starve nor dehydrate in just a few hours. If he is eating and drinking, he will be pooping and peeing. Take all food and water away 30-60 minutes before you leave, and give him a good long potty break outside immediately before you leave.

- Practice with the crate when you're at home, leave him in it for 15-20 minutes at a time, and then take him out for potty breaks. This helps reinforce the idea that he does not potty in the crate, he will be allowed potty time later.

Be patient, he is only 8 weeks old. He will learn quickly if you are consistent.

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• Immediately stop use of the pads. You must, I repeat must stop using them. If he learns to pee on soft, absorbent material...well, carpet is soft and absorbent, isn't it? This behavior is often transferred to carpet or simply the spot where the pad used to be when you decide to stop using them.
  
  He is eight weeks old. He cannot hold it for three hours. You'll need to rework your schedule so that he can be taken out every hour. Or hire someone to come in and let him out. Pee pads are a waste of time and you'll spend so much time trying to train him out of the various behavior problems that will arise associated with using them, it's really not worth it.
  
  If he does pee in his kennel, clean it up and keep going. He'll learn not to pee in there when he figures out that he'll have to sleep in his pee if he does.
  
  I hope this is helpful!


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• Put him in a crate while you're gone without pads. That will turn into a very bad habit.