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Need Help Housebreaking Our Dog!
3/9/2012 3:00:24 PM
This dog is for my daughter so don't give me crap about the breed.
She's a 4 month old Lhasa Apso. When we got her, the whole litter was kept in a small kennel and the puppies all used it as their bathroom. So she's used to sleeping in her own waste.
We take her outside after every meal and once every couple hours throughout the day. As soon as she comes back in the house she relieves herself. She can be happily playing outside for hours, but refuse to relieve herself until she gets back in the house.
How do you break a dog of that?
Picture of when she was 3 months old.
She's a 4 month old Lhasa Apso. When we got her, the whole litter was kept in a small kennel and the puppies all used it as their bathroom. So she's used to sleeping in her own waste.
We take her outside after every meal and once every couple hours throughout the day. As soon as she comes back in the house she relieves herself. She can be happily playing outside for hours, but refuse to relieve herself until she gets back in the house.
How do you break a dog of that?
Picture of when she was 3 months old.
3/9/2012 3:24:57 PM
I can only tell you what I did. My dog is "bell trained". The bells reside on a magnet on the back door within reach of the dog.
Before taking the dog out, TO POTTY ONLY, ring the bells, state "go potty", let dog out and wait until dog eliminates. When it does, praise, come back inside. Never ring the bells for play time. But if the dog eliminates outside, ALWAYS praise.
We were on a schedule just like you guys. If the dog eliminates in the house, I'd scold and use a water bottle to squirt her in the face, say "no".
I have spanked my pet once in 10 months for tearing up the carpet (separation anxiety)...but the water in the face has worked well.
Be consistent. You're likely having more issues because this dog is the age it is.
You'll want to clean up any place where she's gone in the house as they tend to gravitate toward the same spot since they smell it. When outdoors, if you know the dog has gone there before, take them there and repeat the command "go potty".
I was amazed at how well the bell method worked as my previous dog wasn't bell trained. For her breed, she housebroke very quickly...15 weeks.
Before taking the dog out, TO POTTY ONLY, ring the bells, state "go potty", let dog out and wait until dog eliminates. When it does, praise, come back inside. Never ring the bells for play time. But if the dog eliminates outside, ALWAYS praise.
We were on a schedule just like you guys. If the dog eliminates in the house, I'd scold and use a water bottle to squirt her in the face, say "no".
I have spanked my pet once in 10 months for tearing up the carpet (separation anxiety)...but the water in the face has worked well.
Be consistent. You're likely having more issues because this dog is the age it is.
You'll want to clean up any place where she's gone in the house as they tend to gravitate toward the same spot since they smell it. When outdoors, if you know the dog has gone there before, take them there and repeat the command "go potty".
I was amazed at how well the bell method worked as my previous dog wasn't bell trained. For her breed, she housebroke very quickly...15 weeks.
3/9/2012 9:03:00 PM
I like the water and bell idea. Thanks.
3/10/2012 1:04:06 AM
First rule of potty training: Make sure that the dog never goes in the house.
If you can just do that, potty training will take place. That's all it takes. It sounds simple, but that's all it takes. The trick is that it takes more consistency and time than you might think - 24 hrs/day for a couple of weeks.
Here's how to do it:
1. If the puppy just woke up, take it outside, don't take it back in until it "goes". Reward the dog for going outside with a "yes" and a treat IMMEDIATELY AFTER it finishes. Not 10 seconds later, IMMEDIATELY after.
2. If the puppy has had water, take it outside until it goes.
3. If the puppy has eaten, take it out within 10-40 minutes until it goes.
4. If the puppy has been playing for a little bit, take it outside until it goes.
5. If the puppy hasn't been out for 30 minutes or so for other reasons, take it out until it "goes".
6. If the puppy is sniffing at the ground, take it out.
That's it. I've taken a 4-week old pup, and by doing that, had it running to the door and barking to "go" in a week. From there, it's just a matter of keeping attention to the dog, and letting the bladder capacity increase.
The dog will naturally potty-train if you do your part. The only question is your ability to be watchful and put in the time. Take a magazine, roll it up, and tape it. Each time your dog goes in the house, whack YOURSELF on the head, and scream "I should have paid more attention to my puppy!".
If you can just do that, potty training will take place. That's all it takes. It sounds simple, but that's all it takes. The trick is that it takes more consistency and time than you might think - 24 hrs/day for a couple of weeks.
Here's how to do it:
1. If the puppy just woke up, take it outside, don't take it back in until it "goes". Reward the dog for going outside with a "yes" and a treat IMMEDIATELY AFTER it finishes. Not 10 seconds later, IMMEDIATELY after.
2. If the puppy has had water, take it outside until it goes.
3. If the puppy has eaten, take it out within 10-40 minutes until it goes.
4. If the puppy has been playing for a little bit, take it outside until it goes.
5. If the puppy hasn't been out for 30 minutes or so for other reasons, take it out until it "goes".
6. If the puppy is sniffing at the ground, take it out.
That's it. I've taken a 4-week old pup, and by doing that, had it running to the door and barking to "go" in a week. From there, it's just a matter of keeping attention to the dog, and letting the bladder capacity increase.
The dog will naturally potty-train if you do your part. The only question is your ability to be watchful and put in the time. Take a magazine, roll it up, and tape it. Each time your dog goes in the house, whack YOURSELF on the head, and scream "I should have paid more attention to my puppy!".
3/10/2012 1:25:29 AM
Originally Posted By GlutealCleft:
First rule of potty training: Make sure that the dog never goes in the house.
If you can just do that, potty training will take place. That's all it takes. It sounds simple, but that's all it takes. The trick is that it takes more consistency and time than you might think - 24 hrs/day for a couple of weeks.
Here's how to do it:
1. If the puppy just woke up, take it outside, don't take it back in until it "goes". Reward the dog for going outside with a "yes" and a treat IMMEDIATELY AFTER it finishes. Not 10 seconds later, IMMEDIATELY after.
2. If the puppy has had water, take it outside until it goes.
3. If the puppy has eaten, take it out within 10-40 minutes until it goes.
4. If the puppy has been playing for a little bit, take it outside until it goes.
5. If the puppy hasn't been out for 30 minutes or so for other reasons, take it out until it "goes".
6. If the puppy is sniffing at the ground, take it out.
That's it. I've taken a 4-week old pup, and by doing that, had it running to the door and barking to "go" in a week. From there, it's just a matter of keeping attention to the dog, and letting the bladder capacity increase.
The dog will naturally potty-train if you do your part. The only question is your ability to be watchful and put in the time. Take a magazine, roll it up, and tape it. Each time your dog goes in the house, whack YOURSELF on the head, and scream "I should have paid more attention to my puppy!".
First rule of potty training: Make sure that the dog never goes in the house.
If you can just do that, potty training will take place. That's all it takes. It sounds simple, but that's all it takes. The trick is that it takes more consistency and time than you might think - 24 hrs/day for a couple of weeks.
Here's how to do it:
1. If the puppy just woke up, take it outside, don't take it back in until it "goes". Reward the dog for going outside with a "yes" and a treat IMMEDIATELY AFTER it finishes. Not 10 seconds later, IMMEDIATELY after.
2. If the puppy has had water, take it outside until it goes.
3. If the puppy has eaten, take it out within 10-40 minutes until it goes.
4. If the puppy has been playing for a little bit, take it outside until it goes.
5. If the puppy hasn't been out for 30 minutes or so for other reasons, take it out until it "goes".
6. If the puppy is sniffing at the ground, take it out.
That's it. I've taken a 4-week old pup, and by doing that, had it running to the door and barking to "go" in a week. From there, it's just a matter of keeping attention to the dog, and letting the bladder capacity increase.
The dog will naturally potty-train if you do your part. The only question is your ability to be watchful and put in the time. Take a magazine, roll it up, and tape it. Each time your dog goes in the house, whack YOURSELF on the head, and scream "I should have paid more attention to my puppy!".
Puppy goes outside and then eats snow. It's an endless loop until the snow is gone.
3/10/2012 1:45:27 AM
The people who basically abused and set back the dog with neglect have given you a job much harder than it would have been if the dog did not have to unlearn it.
You need to really teach the dog, just like a new puppy who doesnt know, but it will take longer now because now it has to unlearn its old ways first.
When it starts to go say NO! and rush it outside to finish and then give it praise or some reward
When it goes outside give it praise/reward..positive reinforcement
when it goes inside say NO! and take it outside again..
Its going to be a bit of a pain in the ass and high maintenance for a short time, but thats just how it is.
once it smells an area it pissed/shit on or something else pissed/shit on it might want to go there.. so use the scent remover in the house anywhere it relieves itself.
They sell some scents that might help to mark a spot for it, there are also some piss pads for this I think.
You need to really teach the dog, just like a new puppy who doesnt know, but it will take longer now because now it has to unlearn its old ways first.
When it starts to go say NO! and rush it outside to finish and then give it praise or some reward
When it goes outside give it praise/reward..positive reinforcement
when it goes inside say NO! and take it outside again..
Its going to be a bit of a pain in the ass and high maintenance for a short time, but thats just how it is.
once it smells an area it pissed/shit on or something else pissed/shit on it might want to go there.. so use the scent remover in the house anywhere it relieves itself.
They sell some scents that might help to mark a spot for it, there are also some piss pads for this I think.
3/10/2012 3:05:00 AM
Originally Posted By Isenhelm:
The people who basically abused and set back the dog with neglect have given you a job much harder than it would have been if the dog did not have to unlearn it.
You need to really teach the dog, just like a new puppy who doesnt know, but it will take longer now because now it has to unlearn its old ways first.
When it starts to go say NO! and rush it outside to finish and then give it praise or some reward
When it goes outside give it praise/reward..positive reinforcement
when it goes inside say NO! and take it outside again..
Its going to be a bit of a pain in the ass and high maintenance for a short time, but thats just how it is.
once it smells an area it pissed/shit on or something else pissed/shit on it might want to go there.. so use the scent remover in the house anywhere it relieves itself.
They sell some scents that might help to mark a spot for it, there are also some piss pads for this I think.
The people who basically abused and set back the dog with neglect have given you a job much harder than it would have been if the dog did not have to unlearn it.
You need to really teach the dog, just like a new puppy who doesnt know, but it will take longer now because now it has to unlearn its old ways first.
When it starts to go say NO! and rush it outside to finish and then give it praise or some reward
When it goes outside give it praise/reward..positive reinforcement
when it goes inside say NO! and take it outside again..
Its going to be a bit of a pain in the ass and high maintenance for a short time, but thats just how it is.
once it smells an area it pissed/shit on or something else pissed/shit on it might want to go there.. so use the scent remover in the house anywhere it relieves itself.
They sell some scents that might help to mark a spot for it, there are also some piss pads for this I think.
Yeah, the previous owner fucked you pretty good, OP. They took away the easy crate training option, and left you with a boatload of aggravation.
3/10/2012 6:52:22 AM
Originally Posted By Eli75:
I like the water and bell idea. Thanks.
I like the water and bell idea. Thanks.
Anytime now that my dog acts rebellious I can break that bottle out and she will instantly take note. Lots of times her seeing it without ever being squirted works wonders.
I used rolled up newspaper on the last one, but someone in my office told me about the bottle trick.
3/10/2012 7:18:08 AM
feed pup, take it outside, play a little, pee in yard, pup sees you pee outside and the pup will do the same, praise pup.
praise when it goes outside an scold when it goes inside, but never hit a dog or shove its face in it, that will only make it afraid of you and could cost your dog its life.
when my golden gets startled or freaked he runs to me and puts his collar in my hand as he knows I will protect him
praise when it goes outside an scold when it goes inside, but never hit a dog or shove its face in it, that will only make it afraid of you and could cost your dog its life.
when my golden gets startled or freaked he runs to me and puts his collar in my hand as he knows I will protect him
3/10/2012 10:39:10 AM
Originally Posted By Eli75:
Puppy goes outside and then eats snow. It's an endless loop until the snow is gone.
Puppy goes outside and then eats snow. It's an endless loop until the snow is gone.
Make a small area without snow, and only let the pup go there.
You need to control the situation such that the pup never "goes" in the house/kernel. It is a tough job, you may have to get creative. But your window of opportunity to be truly effective will not last forever.
3/10/2012 4:46:30 PM
you stated the conditions in which your dog pees in the house.
This means it is perfect for entrapment.
Every time you come in the house with the dog be prepared for the dog to pee. This means you have a golden opportunity to scold the dog caught in the act.
You come in...dog pees, you scold harsh enough for dog to stop peeing. You go outside and stand around. If dog pees...good, give praise.
If dog does not pee, you go in again being ready for dog to pee again and repeat as necessary.
This means it is perfect for entrapment.
Every time you come in the house with the dog be prepared for the dog to pee. This means you have a golden opportunity to scold the dog caught in the act.
You come in...dog pees, you scold harsh enough for dog to stop peeing. You go outside and stand around. If dog pees...good, give praise.
If dog does not pee, you go in again being ready for dog to pee again and repeat as necessary.
3/10/2012 8:29:04 PM
Originally Posted By akodo:
you stated the conditions in which your dog pees in the house.
This means it is perfect for entrapment.
Every time you come in the house with the dog be prepared for the dog to pee. This means you have a golden opportunity to scold the dog caught in the act.
You come in...dog pees, you scold harsh enough for dog to stop peeing. You go outside and stand around. If dog pees...good, give praise.
If dog does not pee, you go in again being ready for dog to pee again and repeat as necessary.
you stated the conditions in which your dog pees in the house.
This means it is perfect for entrapment.
Every time you come in the house with the dog be prepared for the dog to pee. This means you have a golden opportunity to scold the dog caught in the act.
You come in...dog pees, you scold harsh enough for dog to stop peeing. You go outside and stand around. If dog pees...good, give praise.
If dog does not pee, you go in again being ready for dog to pee again and repeat as necessary.
That is what we have been doing. She can stay out for 4 hours and not pee, but does as soon she comes in.
3/11/2012 3:15:16 AM
Reward for going outside. It can help quite a bit.
3/13/2012 1:55:14 PM
We have a Husky pup that wanted to just play outside. We put him on a leash and stood in one place until he would go. Then he could run and have fun.
Problem is now solved.
Problem is now solved.
