I'm having trouble balancing water consumption and potty training with my 9 week old V, Ace. I've had him for two weeks and was told by my breeder that their water consumption needs to be monitored when young or they'll just drink and drink and drink. I followed their advice, giving water next to all three meals, a couple times in between (after coming in from walks or after playing), mixing his food with water, then not giving him water after 7pm. I was told you can tell if they're properly hydrated by grabbing the skin on the back of their necks and if it doesn't immediately fall back down then they're dehydrated. This seemed to be working and potty training was progressing nicely. Ace always pees immediately when we go outside and only had 2-3 accidents in the first 10-12 days. I started feeling confident in him so I've begun giving him standing water in his bowl the past couple of days. Problem is, if I do that he literally pees every 5-10 minutes and without any signs - just stops middle of the living room and pees, no trying to go to a door or whining. I know he can hold it longer, as he sleeps 4-5 hours every night before whining to go outside.
Looking at the forum I'm seeing pretty unanimous advice to never restrict water, but right now he'd be peeing non-stop. I want to start introducing him to swimming (we live on a lake but until vaccinated I'd use a kiddie pool or bathtub), and I'm starting to get concerned about creating an obsession with him drinking any water he can find.
Do I just give him all the water he wants, and let him have a bunch of accidents in the short term? When I catch him in the act I say "No" sternly and carry him outside. Do I just have to start back at square 1?
Looking at the forum I'm seeing pretty unanimous advice to never restrict water, but right now he'd be peeing non-stop. I want to start introducing him to swimming (we live on a lake but until vaccinated I'd use a kiddie pool or bathtub), and I'm starting to get concerned about creating an obsession with him drinking any water he can find.
Do I just give him all the water he wants, and let him have a bunch of accidents in the short term? When I catch him in the act I say "No" sternly and carry him outside. Do I just have to start back at square 1?