AboutSandy Case MEd, CPDT Expertise Questions on basic and advanced dog training, motivation, positive training, clicker training, behavior issues (though serious issues - like human aggression - are best addressed by an in-person professional
Experience 30 years training & titling my own Australian Shepherds in Obedience (all levels) agility, herding, volunteer and professional instructor for similar length of time. ASCA obedience judge - all levels, past training director, OCOTC (x3) Sooner Agility Club. Current training director and owner, Positively Canine, LLC
Organizations ASCA, APDT, OCOTC, ITASC
Publications Aussie Times - obedience editor
Education/Credentials BFA, MEd, CPDT
Awards and Honors Multiple obedience titles 20 CDs, 12 CDX, 4 UD, 1 ASCA OTCH, Agility titles, Stock and herding titles, Multiple DWA, Multiple National Rankings, Delaney Ranking, Multiple Gaines regional qualifications, 2 Nationals HIT, Front and Finish rankings, Multiple Dog World Awards
orld Awards
Past/Present Clients Some may be seen in the testimonial portion of our website www.positivelycanine.com
Question We adopted our mini Australian Shepherd when she was 10 weeks old. Lacey is now 19 weeks and we are still struggling with potty training. She really seemed to get the idea of depositing both solids and liquids in the litter area and we gave her more freedom. When she was upstairs, she would realize she had to go and went downstairs in the correct spot. Then for some reason, she stopped urinating in the designated spot. She started going on the floor just outside the litter box, then on the carpet by the stairs, then at the top of the stairs. Since she isn't supposed to want to go close to where she eats, I put her food at the top of the stairs, but she went there despite that. We decided to use her crate more and I purchased a comfortable pad for her to rest on. When she whined, we took her to the potty area and she would sniff and then walk away. We would put her back in the crate. Same thing happened again. This time she went back in her crate and urinated on the pad-something also I read that she wouldn't want to do. What is the best way to correct this behavior that should work as quickly as possible? I'm told that Aussie's are very smart, so I must be doing something wrong. We are home a lot, but I am a recent widow with children 11 and 13 and I can't spend tons of time watching her, but I don't want to keep her in her crate most of the time either. My children want to help, but they have other things they need to do too. What should I do?
Answer I much prefer a litter box to potty pads as they are more like outside and less like rugs, etc. But my first preference is to teach the dog that the best place to eliminate is outside. It cuts down on confusion if the rule is that you don't potty ANYWHERE in the house. My guess is, she got too much freedom too fast, and really the only way to train her is to supervise very carefully, and manage her environment when you can't watch her (crate or x-pen). Also use a good enzymatic cleaner on the carpet, and other areas where she has eliminated. Keep a record of when she eliminates and that will help you know when she needs to go outside. Generally 15 minutes after a meal (she should be getting regularly scheduled meals, not food left down, as that makes scheduling more difficult) anytime she comes out of her crate and about every 6 hours. (you can figure a puppy can hold the number of hours he is old in months, plus one - so your 5 month old puppy can't be expected to hold much more than that. Go outside with her, praise when she goes. If she doesn't pop her back in an xpen (since she's peeing in her crate) and try again 5 minutes later. She doesn't get freedom in the house until she has earned it. Shut doors, use baby gates to keep her in your line of vision. Tether her to you so you notice when she starts sniffing and can get her out. Another thing to consider is getting a urinalysis done at your vet's. Sometimes if dogs have a urinary tract infection, they'll start going inappropriately, but my guess is that possibly you just thought she was more trained than she actually was, and gave her too much freedom too soon. And I don't know of any "quick fix" other than supervision, frequent trips outside and making sure that favorite accident spots no longer smell like a good place to potty. Sandy Case MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com
