How To Stop The Dog From Peeing And Pooping In The House

DEAR JOAN: My son has just adopted a rescue dog and he’s having all kinds of trouble. He can’t teach her to go outside and do her business.

He puts her outside and the dog thinks she’s being put out there to punish her. He hasn’t tried the crate training and he doesn’t want to.

He can take her for a walk, but the dog doesn’t do her business then either. She’s a loving dog, about a year old. She has some terrier in her. She just loves you to death. My son dearly wants to keep this dog, but he’s cleaning up after her all the time in the house. Pooping and peeing and everything.

We’re desperately looking for a word of advice.

Alice, Bay Area

DEAR ALICE: Housebreaking a puppy or adult dog can take a lot of work, but the most important thing is to have a lot of patience. The dog eventually will “get it” and then everyone will be happy.

I think your son’s dog must have previously been in a home where she was neglected and was never potty trained. If she thinks she’s being punished when she is put outside, that’s a sign that she probably was punished in such a way.

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The good news is, with some tenderness, love and repetition, she can learn that life with your son is different.

Although the dog is a year old, treat her like she is a puppy. Set up a routine where she is taken outside every couple of hours. Establish a place in the yard where she is to potty, and take her to that same spot every time. Use a leash. Allow her to sniff around and get used to going to that spot, even if she doesn’t do anything.

If she goes indoors and your son catches her in the act, he should very calmly put her on her leash and take her to the potty spot. When she eventually does do her business outside, your son should reward her with a small treat and lots of praise.

Teach her code words. For example, asking her if she needs to go potty — or whatever words he wants to use — and then taking her outside. She’ll catch on.

It’s important that she is never punished or scolded for accidents. Dogs live in the moment and they can’t figure out what you’re upset about if it happened 15 minutes ago. Getting angry only makes them fear you, not regret the deed.

Once she gets the hang of it, your son can lengthen the time between outdoor visits, but he should always go with her on the leash so she gets the idea that she’s not being punished and this is what she’s supposed to do.

There will be accidents and setbacks. If your son doesn’t want to use a crate when he’s going to be away for a while, then consider segregating her to one or two rooms in the house, and spreading piddle pads around to help minimize the mess. He should take her out before he leaves and immediately after he comes in, even if it’s apparent she has already done her business in the house.

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Eventually, he’ll only need to take her out first thing in the morning and after eating at night, and perhaps before bedtime. As long as he sets a routine and sticks to it, house breaking should go smoothly.

If it doesn’t, he should consider bringing in an expert to help get on the right track.

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