Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 11/16/2007

Question
Ok I will start from the beginning, I have two dogs that I adopted 1 year ago September. Both males one is a chow/ Kita and the other is a keeshond. The chow name is Trotter and he is approximately 2 1/2 years old. We neutered him when we first got him. The keeshond name is Grizzly he is about 2 to 3 years approximately, and he isn't fixed. When we first brought them home they acted scared and made a few messes, and when trotter was fixed he stopped his random marking. For awhile everytime we go away for awhile, just for two to three hours they will mess up our kitchen, since this is the only room they are safest in when we are gone. They always make a mess even if we have let them out side before we leave. But the part that is most frustrating is that the last 2 weeks or so they have gotten in the habit of just going where ever they please. They have my sons carpet ruined and they seem to have favorite places. I have tried the 1/4 vinegar to 3/4 water, it seemed to work for awhile. Then I tried to rug clean with special pet cleaners and repeatedly cleaned the carpet until I thought the carpet might fall apart from the cleaning. I am so frustrated, please help!!! I don't know what to do and I know that if I get rid of them that won't resolve anything.

Answer
Dear Robin,
Thanks for the note. I'm not sure if the problem is related to incomplete house training or other issues. From what you've indicated, they've always had accidents. Since both dogs are eliminating inside, I tend to believe it is a house training, not a separation issue.

Do they urinate and defecate inside?  

Do the dogs eliminate inside only when you are gone from the house?

The fact that they have "favorite spots" to eliminate tells me that they have formed associations with particular areas.

You'll need to start over as if they were never house trained. That means introducing them to a crate or refining their confinement area so that they don't have the opportunity to soil your floors. And - no more roaming the house.

You can get a consolidated, free, 5-page house training guide from my web site- http://howsbentley.com just sign up for the mailing list and get access to the free information.

If you want a more detailed set of instructions, I have a 40 page digital booklet on crate training and house training available for purchase. It is delivered via email and it is an Adobe pdf file. The price is $6.95. If this interests you, go to my web site, look at the very bottom of any page and select "Contact Us". I accept payment via PayPal. Good Luck and thanks for writing.

Here's an outline of the steps:

Quick Start Guide

•   Follow these instructions regardless of your dog’s age.

•   Get a clean bill-of-health from your veterinarian.

•   The dog must be confined or constantly supervised at all times while inside.

•   If you will be gone for periods longer than the dog can wait, set up a confinement area (or larger crate) with a bathroom. Read the Confinement Training Section for instructions.

•   Use a crate or confinement area to keep your puppy and your house safe anytime you cannot supervise him.

•   Methodically introduce your dog to the crate and the concept of alone time.

•   When you are inside and your pup is not crated or confined, use a tether to keep your pup nearby.

•   Never ever provide your dog with opportunities to soil your house.

•   Always provide your dog with adequate access to use a specific potty area.

•   Place all meals on a regular schedule.

•   Keep a log of feeding and elimination.

•   Go out with your dog and lead him to the area.

•   Teach your dog cues for defecating and urinating on command.

•   Teach your dog that any rewards are for eliminating outside.

•   Pay your dog for eliminating outside.

•   Never scold or punish your dog for any potty accidents.

•   Clean soiled, inside areas with cleaners containing pet odor neutralizers.

•   When your dog becomes more reliable, gradually grant him supervised access to more and more areas of the house.