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Cocker Spaniels/house training
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Question
Hi. You really helped me regarding some aggression behaviors in my cocker
)
spaniel when he was really young. I have been meaning to get back to you
and thank you. But on an other issue, I am having trouble house breaking
him. I think it is my fault because he does every thing I ask, but he just
doesn't get that he needs to ask me to go out. I have even taught him to ring
a little bell at the door. He learns very quickly and has been completely crate
trained for several months (he is 8 months old now). Here's what I have tried:
taking him to the same spot several times a day (he goes and is praised good
potty), catching him in the act (rare occurrence) and gently letting him know
he needs to do his potty outside, and taking him right out; keeping him on a
tether (all he does is sleep); cordoning off the area of the room near where I
like to sit (this was the most successful because I rearranged the furniture so
that I had him in my sights and was able to get him out consistently, but
when I moved the furniture back to the normal set up after a couple of
months he began to have accidents again; ringing a little bell at the door (he
rings it 500 times a day); and most recently I tried a training approach used
at a puppy kindergarten we briefly attended before my daughter got ill
requiring me to quit...Remus learned a clicker type method where I mark the
desired behavior with the word Yes and he is awesome at this so I tried when
he did his business outside; what do you know he starts coming over to me
and squatting in front of me in the house. So What am I doing wrong here? I
have a real problem because I have an unhouse trained dog, a 9 year old shih
tsu who just never has gotten it. I have to keep the shih tsu in sight and crate
him when I am away and put a diaper on him at night so he can sleep on my
be. I also have a well trained English Shepherd who consistently asks to go
out and is house broken. I have cleaned the damaged rugs and floors with
enzyme cleaners, but I know the smells are still around. I want to get my
rugs torn out, but I have many expenses now so that has to be put off yet
again. Remus sleeps in a crate near my bed so nights are no issue though I
wish he could sleep on the floor with my English Shepherd. I am so sick of
the gates and fences that cordon off my home and the accidents which I
actually think are his way of asking to go out. How do I turn the tables?
You were such an incredible help to me before. I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Karin
The first question I'd ask is how many times a day is he peeing?
If he is peeing outside and then goes in the house less than an hour later, I'd strongly suspect a urinary tract infection. Very common.
And it's a major reason people have housebreaking problems.
Now..the training. Take him outside on leash and give your command "go potty" or whatever you choose. Keep giving the command. When you see he's about to go or is going..give the command..then praise and reward. Do this every two hours. Always use the same words when taking him out "Want to go OUT"?...ritual, same words, praise & reward.
You've been using so many approaches that it may well be confusing him. I have to say I did laugh at the "he rang the bell 500 times"...
But do get a urinalysis to make sure this isn't a physical problem.
No need to drag him to the vet - just get a first morning urine sample in a sterile container and take it in. Unless you're going to get it in there immediately, refrigerate it and transport it in a baggie with some ice. If it is a UTI - a round of antibiotics will clear it up easily.
Related Articles
Delores Beck
Expertise
Health, nutrition, training. Please note: I used to highly recommend Innova products but, unfortunately, as with Canidae, they have sold out to Proctor & Gamble. This guarantees lower quality to a dangerous point so I will no longer be advising anyone to buy it.
Experience
20 years of owning this breed.
Education/Credentials
Psychology, MA
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