Expert: Delores Beck - 2/17/2009

Question


Hi-
We rescued a cocker spaniel 6 days ago from the pound that had found loose and the owner didn’t claim him after 7 days. He is about 3 years old and just got neutered 6 days ago.

We have an older female retriever and two cats (all spayed). He acclimated to the dog and one of the cats but is still overly interested in one of the cats.

The problem I am having is that he has marked in the house a few times (couch, plant, desk…). We have sternly told him NO! when he does it and put him outside.

My question is CAN he be trained to NOT mark INSIDE since he wasn’t neutered until now? Is it to ingrained in him? Help??

Thanks you,

Treena  

Answer
Bless your heart for rescuing this boy.

Now..he may not have had housebreaking training.  So...don't "put"
him outside - TAKE him outside and stay with him.  Choose a command "go potty" or whatever you like.  When you see he's about to go, give the command and when he's done...excessive praise and a treat.  Anticipate the action !!

Nothing is "ingrained" - if you take the time he can be totally perfect in about a week.  Take him out every 2 or 3 hours...always after eating and after a nap.

He's only been with you a week - and has had surgery.  Rescue dogs take two weeks to just begin to feel safe.  So be patient, stay on top of it, don't let him make a mistake.

My own recent rescue was "said" to be housebroken.  Well, he wasn't.
So I took a week and made it my top priority.  I can assure you it doesn't take long for them to connect the command - the action - and the praise & treat.

If he does have an accident in the house - don't even bother to correct unless you catch him right in the act.  Five minutes later he has no clue what you're cross about.

So be patient - be consistent - always use the same command and use that command on walks when you see he's about to go (or even in the middle of going :)

Best of luck and do write with any other questions.
Delores