Housebreaking Older Dogs

RE: Housebreaking Older Dogs Post By jane (Guest Post) (02/12/2008) I need help concerning a 17 month old dachsie that I have religiously trained since she was six weeks old. She never soils her crate, but when she gets the urge to poop, she poops--anywhere in the house. We take her out every 2-3 hours. How can I get her to the point where she wouldn't think of going inside the house? When will SHE take responsibility? Report Spam or Abuse RE: Housebreaking Older Dogs Post By Fred (Guest Post) (08/24/2007) i have boxer 1/1/2 yrs old. He still goes to the bathroom in the crate. It does not prevent him. He is ruining the house, Help Please! Fred Report Spam or Abuse RE: Housebreaking Older Dogs Post By candi (Guest Post) (03/03/2007) when are the right times to feed her Report Spam or Abuse RE: Housebreaking Older Dogs Post by Anonymous (165) | (08/13/2006) Blog! | Contact As a dog trainer, I can assure you that a dog of any age can be housebroken unless it is ill. Crate training is definately recommended. Just train the dogs to go potty outside just as you would a pup. Use the same door every time you take the dog out. Use the same area for the dog to potty in so it recognizes the smell. When the dog does potty, praise it lavishly and take it inside immediately. Don't allow the dog to play or run around because it will get in a bad habit of playing and not going potty. Pick up the water bowl at the same time every evening for the last time and take the dog out several times. The rule of thumb is: A dog can hold it's bladder one hour for every month old it is plus one. If the dog has an 'accident' in the house, never, ever scold the dog!!! If you catch the dog in the 'act', yell NO! or clap your hands, scoop him up and take him out to his potty area and let him finish. Scolding and spanking will make the dog fearful of you and the dog will go potty in another area of your house where you can't see him. Also, do NOT rub his nose in urine or feces. This does nothing to help the dog. Just clean it up and move on. You wouldn't yell and beat a baby for pooping in it's diaper so you wouldn't do this to a dog either. Housebreaking a dog is easier than you think. It's up to you to be consistent and watchful. Look for signs that the dog has to 'go'. It will usually start sniffing the floor, pacing around and acting kind of odd. He's giving you signs that he has to go potty. I taught both of my dogs to ring a bell that hangs from my back door knob when they have to go out. The pup learned it first when she was only a few months old and my three year old German Shepherd learned it after that. It took him a couple of days before he got the idea but finally did. Here's how I taught them: I hung a small cow bell from the door knob. I purchased it at Petsmart in the field training section of the store. I had my dogs sit by the door and watch me. I rang the bell, said, "OUT" and opened the door. When they approached the door I quickly closed it. I did this several times then walked away. The dogs already knew this door was the one that leads to the back yard so they would usually stand there and whine to go out. The next time I heard one of them whine to go out, I stood by the door, rang the bell and said, "OUT". I opened the door and they tried to hurry past but I shut the door. I rang the bell and said "OUT" again and walked away. Now I knew they REALLY had to go and not long after, I heard the bell ring. It was the puppy. I praised her and opened the door. They caught on real fast!!!! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Housebreaking Older Dogs Post by lifewithmadman (12) | (07/19/2006) Profile | Contact any dog at any age can learn to be potty trained. It just takes a lot of time and patience in older dogs. (or cats for that matter) The best way is to crate train. This doesn't mean you have to go out and buy them crates you can use a room or corner just as well. especially if thats where their bed is. The method is to take the dog and make him sleep in his crate. make sure to let him out before you put him in. Then if he has to go and goes in his crate he becomes uncomforatable. dogs do not like to lay in their mess. When taking the dog outside take him to the same spot each time. This way he learns where in the yard it is ok to go. Always clean up after your dog makes a mess in his crate (but not immediatly, just when ever you go to let him out.) and if he has an accident in the house, do not shove his nose in it, but do scold him and then take him out to his go spot in the yard. This way he associates the two. It will take time, but with consitant reactions the animal will learn. Report Spam or Abuse