Pets > Dogs > House TrainingMarch 06, 2011

Potty Training an Adult Dog

My husband and I have noticed that every day his dog has made a very large accident on the kitchen area rug. The dog is a Lhasa and has been doing this every day at different times. He said that Jumba (the dog) has been doing this for months now even before we were together. We just got married and the kids and I moved in over a month ago and he has a lot of attention, but still does it. He doesn't learn from his accident and only cowers if you try to punish him for it. We are frustrated and he is stinking up the house. What do we do? The vet says he is fine physically.

By javamom77 from Yorkton, Sk, Canada

Answers

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By
03/23/2011

You have to have patience with a dog when his life gets changed so drastically! You and your kids moving in was a big change for the little dog! You need to try to understand and help the little dog adjust to the changes, in a positive way. I suggest you do some research on training dogs before you go any further! You don't punish a dog for something after the fact because he doesn't realize what he is in trouble for. It absolutely breaks my heart to think of this little guy cowering in a corner, with no clue why this stranger wants to punish him.

I would hate to hear how you "punish" the dog. It sounds like you're simply either not a dog person or just don't like this little dog. The dog was there first and deserves you to be nice to him! He wouldn't be cowering in a corner if he was being treated as he should! If you plan on living with the dog I also suggest you do research on positive training, when "punishing" a dog isn't part of the training!! Maybe try to find out exactly whats causing the problem and go from there. But have a heart and try to have some understanding for the poor little dog and STOP punishing him!! Take up the rug if it that important to you. I'll be praying for the little dog.

By
03/06/2011

Just a semi educated guess, but regardless of how well you have tried to clean such, I suspect your dog can still detect the smell of his own urine and recognizes that as an invitation to "re-cover." IMHO it is not productive to "punish" the dog for doing so as this is usually only an instinctive reaction to "re-mark" his own territory and not necessarily a statement of defiance against his people, especially since the dog has been allowed to so for some time and his vet has declared him physically fit.

My guess is that your husband was a bit more lenient with "accidents" than you are currently willing to be and the pooch just continued a bad habit. (No offense meant to anyone - take comfort in that expression that "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus" - we all get comfortable with seemingly routine, innocuous, behavior in some way shape or form!)

Again, I think it is non productive (and possibly cruel, depending on method of discipline) to "punish" the dog as he probably has no clue as to why he is now being punished more harshly than before you and your children moved in. Adapting to change is hard for all of us (humans, canines and felines alike) as new residents enter "the home base". All deserve a break and positive suggestions for readjustment.

I suggest you remove the area rug completely, thoroughly wash and disinfect the surface(s) beneath the area, and start over with a clean slate as the whole family works to help the dog learn the new rules of "no potty in the house for healthy, full grown dogs!" :-)

Unless the area rug is a family heirloom (in that case, have it professionally cleaned and use as a wall hanging) it's a small price to pay for the cohesiveness of a newly blended skin/fur family.

Sincerely wishing the best for all of you!

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