Expert: Delores Beck - 1/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I have a 6 month old male cocker spaniel, which I am having a lot of trouble potty training.  I got him from a pet store when he was approximately 3 months old.  He had been at the pet store for 1 month before I took him home.  He has a crate which he sleeps in at night time. I let him go out to go potty each night just before I go to bed and he always goes.  He never barks during the night to go out or let me know he had to potty but almost every morning when I wake up, about 6hours later on average, he has urinated or sometimes pooped in his crate.  He also has what I call a "nervous" habit, where when I call him to take him out he will crouch down and potty just a little on the floor and then come to the door and finish outside.  He will not let anyone but me take him outdoors to take care of business.  Any suggestions or advice are greatly appreciated!
Denise

ANSWER: At this age, "nervous piddling" isn't uncommon.  Being at a pet store for a month can totally ruin a dog.  Don't scold - he can't help it and it will pass.

I have to know what's happening with him during the day?  I'd definitely confine him, but not crate him at night.  Put down some newspapers and in the middle of those, use those "puppy pads.

And tell me exactly how you've been going about housebreaking him.  And what are you feeding him, how often?  And who else is in your family?  And how long and how often is he walked?
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My family consists of myself and husband, 3 dogs and 2 cats.  I get up at 630 and put the dog out first thing, he runs around and plays inside with my other 2 dogs, a husky and a beagle mix.  I leave at about 7AM every morning and put him in a crate while no one is home.  I get home at 1PM and take him out right away.  He is then out of his kennel until bedtime at 11PM unless I have to leave the house in which case he goes back in his kennel.  While I am home he goes outdoors every 45 mins. I give him a treat each time he comes back inside.  I don't walk him regularly but he plays fetch with me inside and plays in the house with the other dogs so I think he gets a fair deal of exercise.  Before I put him in the kennel I take him out immediately before.  He eats 2 cups of puppy chow dry food twice a day.  I have tried newspaper and puppy pads but he tears them to pieces.
Denise

Answer
I think a good deal of the night time issue is due to what you're feeding.  With a premium food you'd feed half of that and it would be much, much more digestible.

Now when you do take him out during the day - watch him carefully and when you see he's about to go - give your command 'go potty' (or whatever you choose) - and give him his treat the moment he's done with a ton of praise.

To get him to go out with your husband - start having your husband feed him.  He's viewing you as his pack leader.

But back to the food issue - I can work with whatever budget allows but if you get him on a higher protein, better quality food I think you'll find this extremely helpful.  Yes, it's more expensive BUT, as I said, you feed half the amount.
I highly recommend Innova EVO or Orijen.  If you go to Naturapet.com you can locate a store in your area.  Whoever carries Innova will carry other premium foods.

And Denise, all the dogs really need walking.  It's not just the exercise, it's the stimulation and socialization.
Delores