House training issues.

1. 75

   Eiddwenposted 12 years ago

   Hi,
   I'm trying to find a solution to a six year old Staffie who will not be house trained.
   Rocky has  been rescued by my daughter about 8 months ago. He is the perfect pet, and so sweet natured except he will not do his business outside, he waits till he's in the house.
   This is when he wants to relieve himself or have a poo.
   When she gets up in the morning or comes home during the day there is poo or pee everywhere.
   He will not do anything out the back !!
   He is six years old and we know nothing of his background. My daughter also has four small children and loves him to bits but is also at the end of her tether with this problem.
   Anyone have any ideas??
   Eiddwen.

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   1. 60

      Auntie Dposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You need to remove the smell of his urine wherever he has had an accident in the house otherwise he's going to continue using that spot or in that area. If he's been raised in the house at 6 yrs. old he may have a hard time being outside for long periods of time. Try taking him out within 10-15 minutes after he eats and walk around with him. If he doesn't do anything bring him back inside but watch him and as soon as he starts sniffing or walking around take him outside again. This may take a while but it should work if your consistent... and praise him when he finally does his business outside.

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      1. 68

         equineposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I agree with Antie D.  The Urine removal is critical.  One way to find urine is to use a UV light and enzyme cleaner. The second comment I have is you need to catch your dog in the act. Getting angry after the fact will only confuse him.  When training animals timing is everything because they do not speak English.  I actually wrote a hub called: Effective Potty Training Techniques for Dogs and Puppies
         
         I have personal access to a very good professional dog trainer in St Louis. She is a close friend. If you have other questions, I am happy to ask her.

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   2. 61

      Acheolisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I had the same issue! Tried everything listed above and that still was not enough to end this problem. The one thing that did work for me was going by a schedule. Like humans, animals  have 'bathroom patterns'.Keep an eye on your pet and try to keep track of when these accident occur and around what time. Once you find the pattern,stick to it.If for some reason you can't take them out on a certain time, stick them in a crate and then take them in a timely manner.This will help teach them how to hold it until going outside.
      If they happen to have accidents between 12pm and 12:30. You would take them outside between those times.Even though before my dog was stubborn and would hold it, leaving me standing outside for what felt like hours, I never gave up.As you do this, your dog will then begin to understand that this is where he/she is to do it's biz.
      Another important thing to remember is cleaning up the accident areas. If a dog can smell where it has 'marked' before, it will continue to think the house is one big bathroom. There are plenty of pet friendly products for covering pet odors of this category .

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   3. 88

      SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm having the same problem with a 'rescue' - what I have had to do is block access to the area where she was 'pooping' and clean the area thoroughly. She doesn't go anywhere else in the house so now I am able to get her to go outside. I'm going to keep the area blocked for about six months until she is used to going outside.

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2. 70

   Cagsilposted 12 years ago

   Do you have a dog house?
   
   I think the dog should be outside for an extended period of time, so it would get use to doing it's business outside, instead of inside.
   
   That's the only solution I can think of off hand.

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   1. 75

      Eiddwenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks so much for replying and I'll hand this one on to my daughter.
      She does not have a 'dog house' but I know he starts crying if he's left outside for too long so maybe he is being brought in too soon.
      Thanks again for the reply it's much appreciated and I'll let you know how we get on !!
      Eiddwen.

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      1. 70

         Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         You're welcome.
         
         I hope others come by your thread and offer up other suggestions. Good luck to your daughter.

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3. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   He is pooping where he has always pooped.  To get that to change you need to do what your would with a puppy. Lay newspaper, he will naturally go on it.  Move the paper over several days to the door then outside.  praise using the paper and praise going outside. You can discourage going inside at night by crating him at night.

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   1. 75

      Eiddwenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you so much psycheskinner,I will hand this one over to my daughter.
      Your help is apprecated,take careand have a great day.
      Eiddwen.

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4. 63

   SandyMcCollumposted 12 years ago

   Maybe she could start giving him treats when he actually does 'go' outside. Conditioned response has been a successful animal training system for me, and dogs are smart, even Staffies. It doesn't take them too long to associate the behavior with a reward. Good luck and I hope she finds a way. This could ruin a perfectly good rescue!

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