Expert: Delores Beck - 7/1/2008

Question
hi i have an english cocker and cant seem to toilet train her please help, she is around 6 months old and is great with everything else but i have tried lots off stuff to stop her messing in the house, alot of the time we let her out and she wil come back in and wee, she does wimper at the door to go out but not all the time so im very confused, hope u can help, thanks alot sadie

Answer
I think the problem is you're "putting" her out and not taking her out.
If you back up and start over you can probably achieve good results in a week or so.

So I'd take her out every two hours - watch for the sign she's going to go - give the command you choose (go potty or or whatever)..when she goes then lots of praise & reward (cookie).  Stick right with her so you can react instantly.

Take her for a little walk after every meal and every nap..same routine..anticipate - command - reward and praise.

Dogs just don't "get it" when you put them outside - they have to be taught.  If you get on top of this and make it a priority she'll be
housebroken in a week or so.  Right now you're both confused :) so a little more teaching & communication will do the trick.

She'll soon connect the command - action - praise & reward.  If she does have an accident, don't do anything unless you catch her in the act.  Then just a firm NO and take her outside.  Yelling at her later makes no sense to her.

Good luck, Sadie and do write again if anything isn't clear or you have other questions.  By the way, if she's urinating a lot you might want to take a urine sample to the vet to check for a urinary tract infection - very common in dogs this age and makes housebreaking impossible.  Always a good thing to rule out.
Delores