I am house training a dog without using a crate. I have a 8 month old rescue Jack Russell, she is a rescue dog. I have had her a month now. I have to work 7 hours a day during which time I leave her in the front room with a stair gate. She goes out for the toilet before I leave. When I return from work I find she has peed and had a number 2 whilst I have been out. It's not really a massive problem as I can't expect her to hold for 7 hours a day! I just want to know will this gradually stop? And is it just because she is still young? Please help.
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Are you asking when your dog will be able to hold urine and feces until you arrive home from work? Seven hours and longer is a long time for anyone, dog or human, to hold. Are you always able to hold your urine for seven hours or more? Dogs are not designed to hold their urine for hours each day and need freedom for their biological processes-exactly the same as you! Dogs are living beings on this earth and have emotional, psychological and physical needs just like you. They are not automatons to be programed to adjust to your requirements.
Ideally, dogs should be allowed easy access to outside via a doggie door. Unfortunately, many dogs are not given this freedom and when they have "accidents", their owners blame them, not the lack of freedom. When the dogs then have urinary tract infections from "holding", etc., their owners are angry to have to pay vet bills when the problem is not the fault of the dog.
Smaller dogs are not able to hold urine as long as the larger breeds. Even larger breeds have problems "holding" for long periods. Also, every dog, large and small, is different and may not behave in the manner you require. So, in your situation, you can not expect your dog to eventually hold to your specific requirements, even in adulthood.
If you are not willing to accept your dog's individual "pee and poop needs", whatever they are now and in the future, you should seriously consider returning him to the rescue shelter and purchase a stuffed dog toy that should easily meet your particular needs.
I think you are correct in thinking this will improve as your dog gets older. Have you tried puppy pads? It saves your dog from feeling she has done a bad thing when she really can't help it.
Really, you should not be leaving a dog alone in an enclosed area for seven hours a day. Dogs are intelligent, social creatures and require stimulation, companionship, exercise, training, and play.
You will need someone to come in for at least an hour a day to play with your dog and take it to the bathroom.
An eight month old dog is learning everything he needs to know about life right now, and Jack Russells are a high energy breed.
I'm also assuming he's had all his shots, is neutered, and microchipped.
I'm assuming this because you are a responsible dog owner and if you didn't have the time or dedication needed you wouldn't have gotten a dog.
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