I use only two methods that work for me depending on the time commitment you have. I use Crate training or one step better, “me” training. I use only these two methods because they guarantee no accidents in the house, that way it is a positive reinforcement technique only. Not that negative reinforcement isn’t sometimes needed, but with young dogs and their gentle spirit, positive only at a young age is more effective. Crate training your new puppy/dog (even some older dogs still need housebroken, or revert to bad behaviors) is effective and easy way. The basics are that a dog will not eliminate where they sleep unless they absolutely can’t hold it. Remember with young pups, the time they are able to hold it is not an 8 hour work day. If the new pup needs to be alone that long, you need to paper train, or train to a doggy door or something else. Most of our pups and dogs that we ship you will be using a doggy door most of the time, so it is not a scary thing to them. About 4 hour intervals are as long as a young pup should be required to hold it. As you get to know your dog and they begin to grow you will all develop a set of signals that tell each other it is time to go outside. Some people go above this and teach them to only eliminate in one spot. Very useful idea! Anyway the theory is this, the dog is in the kennel all the time except when you are actively engaged in playing with it, or holding it. Watching TV while it chews it’s toy on the ground at your feet does not count. You have to have active attention or you will have accidents. Every time the puppy comes out of the kennel, it first goes outside, usually just to urinate. You praise the dog and then bring them back in. If you want to get them in the habbit of using just one spot, take them directly to that spot and keep them there until they go. Then bring them back in, play with them, cuddle with them etc. If you won’t be paying full attention to them, put them back in the kennel. It is not mean, in the wild dogs live in Dens, small holes with one opening just like a kennel. They feel secure this way, they only have to guard one entrance, it is easier to stay warm. Most people don’t believe this truism until they leave the door off a kennel in the house and see the dog always go sleep in the open kennel. So it is time to feed… Just take the pup outside, praise them for going, bring them back in and let them eat and drink. Then play with them for about 15 minutes actively, then take them outside again, they will usually eliminate. If not back in for more play, or kennel time, and go back outside 30 minutes later until they do eliminate. It is important that while you are outside with them the only interaction they have is you standing there showing them where to go. If you play with them outside during potty breaks, they would rather play, and then they come inside and whine in their kennel to go back out, or worse, have an accident in the house. Generally when they start sniffing and circling, it means they are about to go, whether they are inside or out. Those are the basics, it helps them learn I have to go outside to eliminate, I have a schedule I can look forward to and follow, and it develops good play drive in your pup because they are only getting play time when they interact with you. The “me” variation is much better and faster, but requires there is a stay at home person. This also makes the most tightly bonded dogs, that follow you around and always stay at your feet. If you move to the kitchen the dog will to instead of going back to their kennel or their “spot” in the house. Basically while the pup is young, they stay in your arms or on your lap, period. You will not be able to miss when they need to go outside, and you take them, reward them and bring them back in. You have them sleep with you so when they get up in the night, they wake you up, you take them outside an voila! A perfectly housetrained dog in a short amount of time that is very tightly bonded. As they get bigger you move to 6 or 8 foot leash and they have to remain by you, still no accidents and at the same time they learn leash obedience and commands such as sit, down and stay very quickly because you will have them do it often. This is in my opinion the best way to start new pups, but not everyone can do it, so the crate training is my next choice. Everyone feel free to share your input, your success stories and your mistakes and make this a real discussion instead of a one way news letter. I wish I could say that I invented this method but I didn’t. smart people have done it for thousands of years. There is however no one out there promoting this as a training method, which is too bad, it really is better for the dog, and more effective.

My two bits

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Steve
Dobes are like potato chips, you really can't have just one...

Have you ever successfully mixed the methods? So on days where you will be around most of the time the pup is with you, but when you can't be there and actively engaged then you simply use the crating with regular intervals. You also mentioned the pup will be highly bonded- to the primary or both caretakers?

I mixed the methods with Diesel. I used the crate when I simply couldn't be there and he was out with my full attention when I was home. It worked out great. It wasn't too hard and he picked up really quickly

My son was still living at home with me when I got my two dobies. He and I used the me method all summer, him in the daytime and me in the evening, also me all weekend cause he was in band that traveled alot. Well we had to also use the crate method cause like you all say there are those times that you just can't be there for them for a few hrs now days. The me method worked awesome for us. they slept with us went everywhere we could take them. they followed us no matter where we went in the house. After about 2 maybe 3 days they never had any accidents in the house and are now 7 years old. One of these days I will be getting a new dobie pup, and if I am still the only one in my house I will be using the creat method. But I will be taking my pup everywhere with me I can and also it can come to work with me. I have a nice shop which is heated and has A/C and also a a rather nice sized fenced in area for it to play in at work. I want have anyone else to help with my pup, so I will be using the crate method a bit more along with the 'me' method. So I will be looking foward to seeing how this works out. So all in all we used the me method with a small amount of crate traing mixed in and it worked great for us. It does take alot of attention and time in the short term, but the reward is as good as it gets!

The best dog trainer I know (steve), told me when I was having problems with house training. "It just takes a lot of patience, no matter what you do" Good luck, sometimes it may take longer with some dogs? You just have to keep at it no matter what method you use.

I had the same problems with my pup hating the crate I was using. It was an airline crate so it was rather enclosed. I think she felt very isolated and alone. So I bought a large wire crate which is where she sleeps-actually I have 1 in our bedroom and 1 in the living room. There is no noise at night and I make sure she has plenty of time out of the crate along with exercise during the day. They love their people and want to be involved in the everyday happenings in THEIR house. As I write this, she's sleeping soundly in the living room crate-I believe she feels very safe in her space. Good luck and let us all know what you find that works!

Oh, how well I know! Did you do anything different?? There was no sleeping in the same room w/ my girl until she was about 12-13 weeks! I hope she continues to sleep soundly! Pleasant dreams !!!

The only thing I did different was place her in the crate next to the bed where she could look out and see us. I lowered the light gradually. If she started to get restless I'd just talk to her and let her play with my fingers through the crate.

I also had a small kong for her to chew on, this seemed to help relax her some.

Last night she did great as well, a bit of fussing at the beginning, and then calmed down some, she only got up once last night.

At first we had this problem with max. Not wanting to get into the kennel. This may sound crazy. How big is your kennel. When we bought our first dobe Max we got the huge kennel. What we would do is Semi lay into the kennel with max and play with him in it. We built a comfort zone inside the kennel for him. Another thing we did was buy this dog toy that was a pair of keys (Just like the kind babys chew on) we hung the keys into the kennel with a shoe string. He would get into the kennel and make the keys swing back and forth and play with them. You just have to fill it with fun stuff. Another thing we did was Feed max in his kennel. We would put the food inside the kennel and shut the door until he was done, and then he would go out to potty. After he came back in he would run straight back to the kennel to either play or sniff around for more food. You just have to make the kennel a fun comfortable zone for them. Another thing i would personally recommend would be put a blanket around the back and sides. That way you can make them feel like they are in a safe hole where they dont see anything that could get them. Here is a link to a picture of max playing with his keys in his kennel. I hope it works out for you! http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b143/Wintaboo/MaxPack3.jpg

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If its not a Doberman...Its just a dog!!

Wow, that is difficult. It sounds excessive to have to take him out every 15 mins. At that age your dog should be able to control it's bladder. So you said the urine was tested and no Urinary Tract Infection right?
Ok then I have a couple of follow up questions if that is ok...
1. When you take him out every 15 mins does he ever go outside? Also, what is the average time between his peeing either inside or outside? (addresses it from another medical causes)
2. What kind of supervision does your Dobie have when out of the crate inside? And if you are witnessing the peeing happen what is your reaction? (addresses it from as training issues)
3. Is there any trigger such as a loud noise, excitement from new visitors or anxiety type behavior that would explain it?
4. Has your vet suggested any other testing?

Hopefully we can help you figure this out. Thanks.