Hello Alena, At five weeks of age pup is probably developmentally not ready for formal training or potty training. Pup is biting a lot at this age to learn about the world around them, so a lot of pup's biting is probably responsive, like how they would bite littermates and receive feedback from them. You can set up an exercise pen and cover the floor of the pen with disposable real grass pads on one end and a non-absorbent bed or connected crate without anything absorbent in it on the other side, to help pup get prepared for more formal potty training beginning around 8 weeks. https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy www.freshpatch.com also on amazon Non-absorbent bed: www.primopads.com www.k9ballistics.com - non-absorbent crate mats Most puppies at five weeks should still be with mom and litter mates and are barely weaned from milk. Sometimes in certain rescue situations or mother dog rejection situations we have to step in an intervene early but raising a pup younger than 8 weeks is going to look different than when you bring an 8 week old pup home, as far as what they are developmentally ready for. Check out this free PDF e-book Before you Get Your Puppy, which can be downloaded at the link below. That book will cover some of what to expect at this age. You can also download After You Get Your Puppy at that link as well, which will cover more of what should be done once pup is 7-8 weeks. www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads In preparation for outside potty training, you can gradually start getting pup used to a crate, but keep expectations low until pup is closer to 7 weeks. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate I would start formal crate training and outside potty training between 8-12 weeks. 8 weeks being my preference but pup will need to go out about every hour still at that age. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 7, 2022

Hello Kellie, It sounds like pup may not be finishing completely while outside. I would tell pup to Go Potty, reward with a treat when she goes, then walk her around for another ten minutes, telling her to "Go Potty" again. If pup hasn't pooped during that part of the day and has already had their meal, like breakfast, then assume pup still needs to poop after peeing. Most puppies do them separately and need to be walked more to complete pottying. It might look like "Go Potty" - walking - peeing. "Go Potty" - more walking - peeing. "Go Potty" - more walking - pooping. As pup learns the Go Potty command and gets older, they should get better at fully going and hurrying up. If pup appears to be finishing outside and still has that accident within twenty minutes of coming inside, I would speak with your vet. There may be an infection, such as a uti or parasite causing pup to need to go more often. I am not a vet. If pup is guzzling water as soon as they come inside, that might be the issue. Some puppies drink for pup. If that appears to be the case, I would give pup the opportunity to drink several times a day but then remove the water bowl between, or only put smaller amounts of water in it throughout the day. I usually give the water bowl after coming inside from pottying and with each meal and after exercising - although make pup take it a bit slow on the drinking after exercising. Finally, if pup is having an accident 45-60 minutes after coming back inside, check out the Crate Training method from the article I have linked below. Pup probably needs to be taken back outside soon or crated at the 45 minute mark, until it's been about an hour since their last potty trip. Crate Training method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Oct. 13, 2021