Expert: Delores Beck - 7/4/2009

Question
Hi Dolores,
I have a three month old cocker. I live in a spacious apartment. I have enclosed a balcony for him to relieve himself...which he does...However, when he is let loose in the house he pees in several rooms. I rub his nose near it and he aqueals...I hate doing that...Please tell me if there is an easier way. His name is Sir Toby :)

Answer
First of all, to "correct" him you have to catch him in the act or he has no idea why you're doing this.  And rubbing his nose in it is totally ineffective anyway.  So stop doing that.

I need to know when and for how long you walk Sir Toby?  It sounds like you need to back up and start housebreaking from step one.

Dogs don't just "know" - they have to be taught.  Routine is your friend with a puppy and exercise is (aside from food) the most important thing.

So tell me how you were training him - what his routine is - and I'd also like to know how often he's urinating?  At this age, a urinary tract infection is a very common thing.

He's at the right age to pick this up quickly IF you get all over it
and put in the time to teach him.  But also be aware that at 12 weeks they don't have complete bladder control yet.

So answer my questions and I'll be happy to get Sir Toby on the right track :)  I'd also like to know what you're feeding him and how often?
Delores