PLEASE Help With My Huskie

1. 59

   Lisa Petrarcaposted 17 years ago

   We have a Siberian Huskie named Allie.  She is a wonderful dog, however......when we go to work she pees in the house and sometimes poos!  She is 3 years old and we got her from a Huskie rescue.  She is very loved and knows what she is doing because the minute we get home she runs right into her cage (we only use it for punishment-we don't keep her in it in the day-she is just in the house).  If she didn't pee during the day, when we get home she just acts normal and happy.  So since she knows what she's doing we think she is just being spiteful because we left her.  I also know Huskies are pack dogs, but she does not like other dogs in her house....soooo another dog to keep her happy is out of the question (Huskie rescue people verified this when we adopted her also).  We used to keep her outside while we were gone but she howls and we started receiving several complaints from the neighbors....thus my dilema......how do we make her STOP!!  PLEASE someone help us!!!!!

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   1. 59

      jamanddruposted 17 years agoin reply to this

      I think that it's a behavorial issue, and i think that if you buy a big enough cage (one she can see threw) half of it with newspaper and the other her bed, make it comftable for her. or you could get her a doggie door if you have a fenced back yard. sometimes when animals start peeing like that you might want to take him to the vet and have a urine sample taken and bring a fecal to them cause they do get urinary tract infections and thatplays a roll. or she may have some anxiety issues, so i think taken you to the vet and talking about some of that hopefully it will help. good luck.

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2. 0

   helenathegreatposted 17 years ago

   Dogs do not know spite.
   
   The crate should NEVER be used for punishment.
   
   The only solution I know of for this problem is crate training -- PROPER crate training.  But since you have now told her that the crate is bad, do NOT start crate training with her because it will make her think that she is always being bad.
   
   You'll need to confine her and actually work to show her what you WANT her to do instead of punishing her for what you do NOT want.
   
   Invest in some dog training books or a session with a trainer.  It's only fair to your dog, your neighbors, and your family.

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   1. 59

      Lisa Petrarcaposted 17 years agoin reply to this

      In the beginning we tried crate training her and did not use it as a punishment, but she howled for hours and then eventually bent the wires and destroyed the latch and got out.  Then we bought an expensive plastic one and she chewed through that and broke the latch and got out, while she howled (Huskie's are known to be exceptional escape artists).  So we decided to let her have free run of the house while we're gone and installed a doggy door. She is great except for going to the bathroom on the floor because she doesn't want to go outside.  So as you can see, the crate was used correctly but Huskie's can escape from anything.  We spoke to the rescue people and they are the ones who advised us on the proper crating routine.  The crating does not work for our dog and we just need to find a way to make her go to the bathroom outside.

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3. 88

   Marisa Wrightposted 17 years ago

   I had a friend who had the same problem with her dog, and it was caused by separation anxiety.  In spite of all evidence to the contrary, she thinks that when you walk out in the morning, you may not come back! 
   
   I can understand any dog not wanting other dogs in the house, if he/she hasn't been properly socialised - I don't know if it's too late to do that.  I think you do need the advice of experts.

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4. 59

   Lisa Petrarcaposted 17 years ago

   Thanks for your reply, I was told this before but do not know what to do.  She used to not socialize with other dogs very well, but now she does great as long as they're not in her house.

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5. 83

   Zsuzsy Beeposted 17 years ago

   Marissa is right...This is the behavior of a dog with separation anxiety. Try to confine her to a smaller area and not the full run of the house. On the weekend set aside training time like this:  1)Confine her to one room only by blocking off doorways. Have a bag of her fave treats on hand. give her one and say good puppy pet her head etc. like make a big fuss over her.
   2) now leave the house stay outside for three minutes only. (Dogs don't have a sense for time). 3) Go back in the house with a treat in your hand, make a big enormous fus over her, show her that you are really happy to see her etc. let her go outside for a quick pee 4) open up the house for her to run around it.5) half hour later do the whole spiel again....If you do this for two days gradully lenghtening the time you're away. Try to stay with the same treats...if you start with a milkbone keep giving her the same always.
   What you can also try is getting her, her own kitty (unless she doesn't like cats) one that comes from a house with dogs.....company does not have to be another dog it can be any other animal....Good luck
   regards Zsuzsy

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6. 59

   Lisa Petrarcaposted 17 years ago

   Thanks for your very informative and helpful advice.  We will try this when we are home on the weekend.  I'll let you know how it goes! 
   
   Thanks again,
   
   Lisa

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7. 57

   Canine Charismaposted 17 years ago

   Please do your dog and yourself a favor and hire a reputable trainer.  Check with your local rescue or vetrinarian for referral.  The advice you are getting here is contradictory.  All of it well intended.
   
   Putting potty and bed together in a crate...wouldn't do that, though it is always good to have your vet check the dog our for health related causes, so on that point we agree.
   
   If you install a doggy door, you will never have a dog that is housebroken. Since she can go at any time of the day or night, there will be no schedule trained into her bladder and bowel control.  So when access to potty via doggy door is unavailable, expect her to go inside the house.  Not an accident...it is set up by the denied access to potty area and lack of training...too much freedom, too little observation.
   
   If your descriptions are accurate it appears that your dog is developing behavioral issues from lack of consistent management.  Please, please get a trainer before you compound the bad behaviors (howling which is probably attention seeking, barrier frustration, possible separation anxiety, house soiling) with allowing them to become habits.  Then you will have to untrain and then retrain your dog...not a simple or quick process.
   
   Lastly, your dog does not know what she is doing is wrong.  All she knows is the response she has received when you return home, which I am sensing, from the response you described, is to punish her.  She senses your tension and responds in kind.  She has no recollection that she pottied in the house unless she is in the middle of doing it and you catch her.  Punishment is never effective in stopping housesoiling and usually compounds the problem with hiding the act inside by going into other rooms or behind obstructions or furniture and refusing to go potty in front of you outside for fear of being punished again.  If you catch her pottying inside, calmly put on her leash and take her to the proper location outside to potty.  Set a schedule and adhere to it (supplment with dog walkers or day care).  Observe 100% when unconfined...indoors and outdoors. Manage food and water intake by avoiding free-feeding; pick up food 15 minutes after serving and serve quanitity on schedule recommended by food manufacurer and vetrinarian. Generally 3x/day for puppies and 2x/day for dogs.
   
   Hope this helps and that you are able to seek professional help.

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