How do you housebreak an older dog?

1. 79

   Victoria Lynnposted 10 years ago

   How do you housebreak an older dog?
   
   I adopted a stray from a shelter. She's about a year old. I take her out regularly to pee and poop. I give her treats and praise her when she pees and poops, which is regular on our walks. In the yard, she will usually pee after a bit, but she gets away to poop in the house. She was doing great with peeing outside, then tonight I took her out, encouraging her to pee because she was restless and running around. She didn't go after 3-4 minutes, so I brought her back in. She soon went to the hallway and peed there. Why? I know I need to catch her in the act, but she is so quick. What do I do?
   
   

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2. 80

   heidithorneposted 10 years ago

   Hi Victoria! First, glad to see you have a new family member!
   
   You have a challenge for sure! But realize that she might still in the puppy adolescent stage at 1 year old. (Worst time in my opinion and I speak from experience!) And for a stray, her growing up progress could be completely out of whack. One of our dogs was adopted as a 1 year old stray, too. May sound weird, but she might have some anxiety about being outside to do her business.
   
   And how long has she been with you? It could take some time! She's getting used to living with you and living in a home. You probably have no idea how long she was fending for herself. Be patient! I've found that trying to keep the pups on a potty schedule helps them, too.
   
   I would connect with Adrienne (alexadry here on HubPages) who does a lot of writing on dog training!
   
   Good luck and keep us posted on your little one's progress!

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   1. 79

      Victoria Lynnposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Heidi. I've had Sissy for two months. She's getting used to the "Go pee" command outside (somewhat) but still pees in the house! I have only seen her poop outside once (except for walks). Contacting Adrienne is a great idea. :-)

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3. 81

   drpennypincherposted 10 years ago

   I can think of a couple things to try.  Once we were having a similar problem and tried "tethering".  This is a housebreaking method where you keep the dog on a leash next to you all of the time indoors for a few days.  This way you can catch any accidents as they happen and provide some feedback.  We currently have a dog that sometimes has issues during the night.  We found if we close the bedroom door at night and keep the dog in the room, she will let us know if she needs to go out rather than having an accident somewhere else in the house.  Cute dog- good luck!

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   1. 79

      Victoria Lynnposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds like a good idea with the tethering. I need to catch her in the act so I can redirect her outside. She 's usually fine all night unless I sleep in too late!. Mostly daytime is the problem. Thanks for the tips. I'll try it!

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4. 99

   mary615posted 10 years ago

   I feel sorry for her.  She doesn't realize she is doing something you don't want her to do.  Dogs really do want to please their owners.  You have no way to know what she was allowed to do in her "former life".
   I would get a small wire pen (I bought one from PetCo) and put it in the yard.  First thing in the morning, put her in the pen.  Praise and treat her when she goes.  Do the same thing during the day, and the last thing at night.
   My Min. Schnauzer, Baby, is full grown now, but I still use the pen at nighttime because we have those Bufo frogs that come out at dusk. 
   It's going to take a lot of time and patience on your part.  Good Luck!

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   1. 79

      Victoria Lynnposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Mary. Much patience! I take her out usually on the leash morning and night. She goes regularly in the a.m. but not always at night. She can hold it all night! I do praise and treat, so surely she will soon catch on! and stop going in the house.

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