My daughter has a Maltese. He will be one year old this May. We can keep him in the yard for a long period of time to do his business and the minute we bring him in he does it in the house. We put his nose close to it and it still doesn't help. We have been doing this for months to teach him not to do his business in the house. He also has the advantage to go in the yard any time he wants. I leave my slider open just enough for him to go outside when he wants to. Any helpful hints?
By Andrea Chencharik from Palm Bay, FL
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Putting the dogs nose in it's stool only confuses the dog. It could be doing this for many reasons. I would say crate training and obedience training both of which you can get a good start here at:
leerburg.com
Look for the articles and the podcasts on training and housetraining. I am sure you will be able to resolve this habit before long with the proper support.
You have to exercise and scoop after your dog regardless of their size. You can force them to stay in a yard for hours but they'll still be bored, untrained and unhealthy dogs.
The feeding must be on a very regular schedule; ideally twice a day followed by LONG brisk walks through the neighborhood for a good 45 mins twice a day, every day on a clockwork like schedule. Supplement that with a few more quick pee walks than you would normally use the bathroom in a day.
The walk and house training is about more than being outside. It's the exercise, sights, sounds and smells you will encounter on walks that make the dog's life interesting. The more interested and exercised they are, the more they pee and poop outside - where you need to scoop it regardless of the size of your pet. Use sincere but calm positive praise every time they do right outside.
This really is foolproof. There is no lazy way around keeping a healthy, happy trained pet. Scolding a pet for having to "go" is really, really bad for you to do. Training based on negative reinforcement doesn't work and no one ends up happy.
Also many pets and people need the physical stimulation of the walk in order to poop. A tiny 5 step walk into your yard may be enough to start the process going but it won't be enough to end it. Thus the dog goes inside. Your dog may also need to poop more than once on a walk. You need to see what happens the first few times to better know your dog's rhythm.
An open door doesn't help as it's still more boring to be outside alone than inside with company for a dog that gets no mental stimulation or physical exercise. The floors inside are also probably softer and more comfortable than your yard.
Dogs that are mentally and physically exercised are happy, calm and well behaved. Long outside walks will do more for your pet's behaviour than you can imagine. Combine those walks with some training outside so your dog learns to behave on command under any situation.
I always have a Potty Party for any new puppy I've had. First thing I do is stay outside with the puppy until I see him / her use the bathroom.
Once they do, I am the happiest person on earth, clapping my hands, singing etc. And during this time I'll give the puppy a treat, a very special treat that it gets only after he goes potty outside.
Keep in mind, small dogs take longer to housebreak. Also, I've done the crate training and it does work but for me personally, at night, I attach a dog leash to the puppy and the other end to my ankle. This way I know when he / she has to go to the bathroom.
The only problem is, once the puppy gets on the bed, you'll never get him off the bed.
Parker is now 135 pounds and we had to get a Kingsize bed so there be enough room for him, myself and my husband.
If I may ask, what kind of food are you feeding the dog? Some cheap dog foods make dogs extra thristy. Also have you thought of clicker training?
Keep a drag line, ( a leash without a loop) on the dog at all times. After yo usee the dog smell or turn around in circles, grab the leash gently and hurry outside saying "time to go potty."
It is best not to let the dog see you clean up its mess. I forget the reason why but it is a reinforcement to go again.
Also invest in a product that removes the pea odor from the carpet. Hope these tips help: robyn
Your dog has his signals crossed. He thinks the house is the place to go. It is reinforced each time he does it. Do not let him have any access to the inside of the house until after bowel movement. This means crate training. Use lots of praise when he finally goes outside.
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