Hey guys   I've been browsing around a bit, and decided I'd post.

My rat terrier is 9 weeks old and male.  He's a toy rat terrier, and is 1.5 pounds.   He goes by the name of Milo.

I really don't want to have to crate train him, as I have 3 other dogs who roam the house freely.  We keep the back door open for the dogs, so he always has access to the backyard.

I can't seem to train him that outside is the potty!  I bring him outside, wait for about 10-15 minutes, and as soon as I bring him back in he'll potty on my floor.  Any tips? 

Also.  He screams and cries whenever I leave the house or don't pay him attention.  I try ignoring him, but his screams have gone on for almost an hour.

Any hints would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks!

First: Welcome to you and your puppy - he's absolutely adorable So glad you decided to join! Feel free to post anywhere and everwhere, and keep those pics coming !!!

Now, I have to say that I think crate training - most especially with a new puppy - is the way to go.  There is, in my opinion, no better way to housetrain your dog. Plus, it keeps him safe and your possessions safe while you are not home.

Please don't think that your new little guy is going to feel that it's somehow unfair that he's crated and the others are not. My Daisy (16 mos. old) is crated when we are not home and my other older dog has free roam of the house. Dogs just don't operate this way. You're the alpha of the house - if you say "this is the way it is" then that's all they know.

There are many posts in the training forum on how to use the crate if you decide that it might work for you.

If you're absolutely dead set against it - then i too recommend using the leash to secure Milo to you whenever he is in the house. It is vitally important that he be within your sight at ALL times so that you can correct any misbehaviors like attempting to potty inside and immediately praise any good behavior. IMMEDIATE is the key word as a dog's attention span for understanding what he is being corrected or praised for is extremely short. You need to take him outside for potty breaks, and not just let him out with the other dogs so that you can Immediately praise and love all over him when he does go potty.

Where are you leaving him when you do go away from home? The crying/whiningis going to have to be ignored completely as any attention at all while he is doing so will just cause him to continue the behavior. (Side note: a crate often helps a puppy feel safe and secure while you are gone and can help alleviate anxiety about being alone in a big ol' house )

Please let us know more about Milo - and your other doggies too!!! Good luck. I hope you stick around and post often  

I do have a crate for him, thanks for your input!  Because he's so tiny, the crate is a bit too big for him, but it's a cat carrier, it's as small as I could find!

I'll try crating him for the next couple of days and let you guys know how he does.    Thanks!

I think it's great that you're going to give crate training a try. This post outlines clearly the steps that you will need to take to be successful! I highly recommend reading it, and anything else you can get your hands on as a good start will go a long way

http://www.rat-terrier.com/Home/tabid/37/forumid/5/postid/3963/view/topic/Default.aspx

As to the size of the crate, Daisy is and has always been in a medium sized dog crate, which even now that she's full grown is large for her. They sell crates that come with divider panels so that initially you can block it off so that the part he has access to is ONLY large enough to turn around and lie down. This is very important, as the reason crate training is so helpful with housebreaking is that dogs do NOT want to potty where they sleep. I would suggest one of these type crates as Milo's permanent "den". The kitty crate can still be used for transportation purposes.

Good luck and if you have any questions after reading the crate training post I linked to, please do not hesitate to ask. Can't wait to hear how Milo is coming along.