Expert: English Bulldogs ( Marie ) e-mail me at mpmaltese@gmail.com - 4/9/2008

Question
As the Subject says, I have a lovable 7 month old English Bulldog that still is not housebroken.  We got our little guy when he was 12 weeks old, have maintained a set schedule for feeding (2x a day....6am & 5pm)followed by set schedule for potty...We go for a 20 minutes walk after his morning feeding, 12 noon, another walk after dinner and right before bed time (10:30 or so) but he still manages to find time to go on our carpets.  We originally did not have him in a crate and set him up a rather large closed area for him to roam around, take his naps and do his business.  But as he got older we transitioned him to stay in the cage in hopes that he would curve his need to "go".  Well for every 2 steps he takes forward, it seems he takes 3 steps back, he will go for 2 weeks on a timely schedule and out of nowhere he does his business on the carpets or even worse, in his cage.  I have praised him beyond belief when he relieves himself outside, but he seems not to have it down when curving his need to go inside the house.  I have asked the vet and he pretty much tells me to do exactly what I have been doing, and I have grown restless in trying to train him.  Please help! The Family loves the little guy, but the messes he leaves is not helping us out at all.

Answer
Hi Del-  I understand how you feel!  What you are doing is correct but may never work because of this:

"We originally did not have him in a crate and set him up a rather large closed area for him to roam around, take his naps and do his business"

You trained him to go on Paper or Potty pads???  You gave him an area to go potty in the house.  ( This is fine and many people do this)..  This is why he still goes in the house.

I would set up a large area for him again... At least he will have the nap, potty and roam areas.  When he is not under your direct view, put him in this area.  

You are doing a great job with him.  He just can't or will not get it because of the origional training.

If you have the energy to continue the crate and potty training..please continue it.  Just don't know how long it will take him to get it.

Also, being neutered will help if he likes to mark.

BEST wishes, Sorry but I don't have all the answers.  You could check with a doggie behavior trainer.  There are many that will come to your home and help you with this.

BEST wishes..


Marie of NuVET
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