Pottying in the House
Ugh...I thought I would try again for some advice.
I got Andy at a year old and she had been living at the breeder's. She spent most of her time in a dog run (where she peed in a corner) or in a kennel. Not indoors, so she was never potty-trained.
When I brought her home, I tried to potty-train her as best I could, but she still has accidents. All the time. When we moved up here to Virginia, she had quite a few at first (due to changes in schedule and such) and, since then, our carpet has always had spots she could smell. She knows she is not supposed to pee inside because she will sneak off in the other room and pee.
I am trying - at this point - just to get her to pee on pee-pee pads if she MUST go in the house. How do I get her to use the pads? I have put pee on them, left them out, told her to potty on them...all to no avail.
And, in case you're wondering, she will only pee on the carpet. During the day, she stays in the kitchen (linoleum) and NEVER has accidents...so I know she can hold it.
My carpet is completely ruined at this point - I have so many yellow stains on it, despite going so far as to have it professionally cleaned. Any help?
I got Andy at a year old and she had been living at the breeder's. She spent most of her time in a dog run (where she peed in a corner) or in a kennel. Not indoors, so she was never potty-trained.
When I brought her home, I tried to potty-train her as best I could, but she still has accidents. All the time. When we moved up here to Virginia, she had quite a few at first (due to changes in schedule and such) and, since then, our carpet has always had spots she could smell. She knows she is not supposed to pee inside because she will sneak off in the other room and pee.
I am trying - at this point - just to get her to pee on pee-pee pads if she MUST go in the house. How do I get her to use the pads? I have put pee on them, left them out, told her to potty on them...all to no avail.
And, in case you're wondering, she will only pee on the carpet. During the day, she stays in the kitchen (linoleum) and NEVER has accidents...so I know she can hold it.
My carpet is completely ruined at this point - I have so many yellow stains on it, despite going so far as to have it professionally cleaned. Any help?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sylvia & Timmy on
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The only suggestion I have is one I advise any foster homes or rescuers to use with "new" pups. Go back to square one in the potty training department. Never give Andy more space than that which she can be trusted in. With all the changes in your lives over the past year or so, she probably could use the extra structure anyways. Make sure that you leave the pee pads in her enclosed area, even if she doesn't use them. I wouldn't allow her on carpeted areas unless she is supervised 100% of the time. That way she doesn't have the time to look for an out of the way spot. When she's with you in the carpeted areas, have her tethered to you and take her out every couple of hours to relieve herself and stay with her till she does. Too often, "we" assume they went. LOL Do the "Big Potty dance" when she does and bring her back in. Since she's mature enough to hold it for several hours, you might not even have to do this every two hours. Remember, no time in the carpeted areas unless, she's in sight, 100% of the time. Next I would make sure that you have the rugs cleaned again, professionally, making sure that they know to use an enzyme product that destroys the urine odor. (Hate that light colored carpeting!!! LOL) Because I think that it might draw her to areas if they still have any odors, however slight. (You can check the areas with a black light, for any residue, as well, if you think they were done sufficiently.) The best way to avoid accidents is to not let them happen in the first place. A lesson I learned when thinking that since Timmy was housetrained at my home, he would be at anyone elses! Ha, ha. NOT SO! After being embarrassed and cleaning up a mess, I now make sure to keep him on a leash and in sight when visiting and be sure to tell him "pee pee outside!"
Don't give up. Andy is a smart girl and wants her mom happy, so I'm sure she will respond quickly. I think we're all guilty of giving too much leeway when our pups aren't ready for it. The cautious people I know, will tell you they don't feel their pups are potty trained reliably until they're about 18 months old.
Lastly, you're right about a routine and schedule. They're really important when dogs don't have free access to the outdoors, like through a doggie door or so. No different than you or I, in that department. (it could just be old lady stuff though LOL) Getting some kind of a daily routine for potty time and walks and meals, etc will help immensely.
Feel free to ask me anything in particular, I'm one of many old ladies with lots of dog experience and willing to share and listen!
Sylvia
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Permalink Reply by disraeli ears on
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Luckily, I have no problem getting her to pee outside...she always pees when we go out. She is a female "marker."
I just feel bad because she's 3 and she shouldn't be doing this anymore, should she? In my family, we have never had problems with potty-training dogs. I just feel like a failure!
You're right, though, Sylvia - I guess I'm going to have to go back to Square 1 if I'm ever going to break her of it. I know that she KNOWS potty in the house is wrong, because if I catch her, she gives me the "sorry, Mom" face. :)
And, seriously, this is the only problem I have with her...she is just about perfect in every other way. :)
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Going back to square one will help both of you. Start with the assumption that she really DOESN'T know that potty in the house is wrong. If you catch her, that look, is coming off your own facial expressions and body language which "says", I'm upset with you. Dogs are absolutely astonishing when it comes to reading our body language and I've learned that my skills are terribly lacking when it comes to reading theirs, but I'm slowly starting to learn as much as I can. But believe me, Andy is smart and knows when you're upset, not really why. Sometimes we like to think that, but check with other behaviorists and trainers and they'll tell you they're responding to "you". Read some books by Pat Miller, Jean Donaldson, and Patricia McConnell and you'll be surprised at how really smart they are and totally inept we are.
I you want I can refer you to some specific books and resources for her training. I've got a real library of books that I've accumulated over the past few years in researching positive training methods.
Sylvia
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Well, we managed to make it through the weekend with just one potty accident! Pretty good! I was very proud of Andy. :)
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Permalink Reply by Tracy on
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my corgi was hard to train to go potty it took lots of time being outside with her untill she goes ( sometimes hours) but in the end she got it! we did clicker training with her and she loved it. We also have pee pee pads for in the basement for when it rains she won't go in the rain so we bring her to the basement on her leash and she goes right away. when she goes i click the clicker and then a treat. You need to get the spray at the pet stoor that takes the pee smell away. Well good luck corgis are smart and your corgi will get it.
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