German Pinschers are smart dogs and I do credit their intelligence in getting them housebroken quickly. I had Ayla mostly potty housebroken in a little over a month, just by getting her onto a routine and sticking to it. You really can’t overdo taking your dog out to use the bathroom. I took Ayla out immediately after meals. I took her out no more than 20 minutes after she drank water – and given she was restrained to my downstairs level and I was down there to keep her company – I knew exactly when she drank water. I took her out whenever she woke up from a nap. I took her out when I woke up, when I got home, and when she barked in her crate after we went to bed. I always gave her a command and I always gave her a treat for going successfully. But I also made sure that we did not come back inside until she had gone. I also kept her away from rugs and carpeting until she was almost 6 months old, since almost all our post-housebreaking accidents occurred in the presence of carpeting.
Conversation between Ayla and I May 27th 2017 @ 5AM:
Ayla: “Okay! I am awake! I would like to go out now! Hey! Hey! Can you hear me?!”
Me: “Urg. You were doing so well with waking up at 5:40…What happened?” *Gets up, takes her out for a successful pee, pops her back into the crate hoping she thinks it’s still nighttime.*
Ayla: “Hey! Hey! I am awake and I ate the biscuit you gave me after you put me in here. I AM READY TO GET UP NOW. LET ME OUT!!!”
Me: *Gives up, gets out of bed, thumps downstairs, and hooks her out on the back deck so as not to reward barking.*
Me: “There. I hope you are happy. You told me you had to go out, because that’s what barking in your crate means. You better hope that the coyote doesn’t eat you. I’m going to go get dressed now.”
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