My problem is that the puppy comes in and goes to the bathroom when he's been outside. I correct it immediately and rush him outside, but he still comes in at other times and pees again. It is freezing outside, and with a fenced in yard, I admit, I have been lazy in walking the puppy to a pee pee spot, is this why he is not learning? Any help would be appreciated. I love reading your advice columns. Thanks for all your help in the recent weeks.

A: Thanks for the kind words! The puppy would probably learn faster if not left outside without you. See, you're not always there when he relieves himself outside, so you're not able to praise him at those times. He needs that feedback.

Don't keep him out long, but if he really wants playtime, maybe you can let him have some (perhaps 15 minutes) after he has relieved himself and been praised. If, on the other hand, he would rather be back inside, make that the reward right after you've praised him for relieving outdoors.

Can you see him from the back door? That's where I stand or sit to supervise my dogs once they are housebroken, without having to go out there every time. By keeping him inside between potty trips outside, you'll also get a better feel for his schedule, and he'll do better on developing bladder and bowel control.

In about a month, you can probably start mostly supervising from the back door, because his bladder and bowel control will be more mature around 4 months of age. Meanwhile, you want to help him form the right habits. Every mistake confuses him more. You're handling the mistakes correctly, rushing him outside.

Destructive chewing from setting the permanent teeth in the jaw is much more serious in a big dog than anything puppies can do, and you'll be seeing that in a few months. Now is the time to get your puppy used to resting calmly in a crate. He'll accept it more easily now than he would later, and he's not big enough to bust the crate open and get out! Be sure to do this training now -- it may literally save his life in the future.

Also, a pup of 3 months old should not be spending time alone with an older dog. Best not to do that for at least another month. His instincts are not quite mature enough, he could trigger a serious fight. He could also become much more bonded to other dogs than to humans. And since the other pup is only 8 months, make sure she is crate-trained, too -- both these breeds are potential house-wreckers during the destructive chewing stage, which can easily last to age 2 years.

Enjoy your dogs!