Expert: Delores Beck - 2/9/2009

Question
We have been looking after a friends dog for some time, when he informed us that he can not take the dog back we need to make a plan. We decided to keep the dog seeing as we love animals and the more the merrier. He is about two years old not neutered. Our problem is that our other two dogs that we have had since they were puppies (Jack Russels) are very well behaved and house trained. He is not house trained and he does not listen, he is an absolute terror to take to a park. Please help, we would like to keep him - but it is hell!!

Answer
Your first thing should be to get him neutered.  That may well help settle him down.

Now..housebreaking.  You need to teach him which means "taking" him out - anticipate him going and give your chosen command just before he goes - then big praise and reward.  At his age he should "get it" in a week if you take him out religiously every few hours.

If he's urinating a lot - take a first morning urine sample to your vet and check that he doesn't have a urinary tract infection.
Use a sterile container and take it directly in - or refrigerate until you can.

I need to know what kind of "terror" he is at the park.  What happens exactly?  When he "doesn't listen" what does that mean?

I need specifics because you deal with one behavior at a time.
Delores