House-soiling dogs :-(

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Louise B — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:09:13 GMT

I have this problem from time to time. Each time I take the dogs back to basics and treat them like I would a puppy. Lots of praise for doing it outside and prevent opportunities to make a mistake (i.e. do it indoors). I have a problem with it breaking down overnight and then once it has happened a couple pf times in close succession (i.e. 2 nights in a row) then it will reliably happen from there on in if I don't nip it in the bud. What works for me is to put a babygate up across my bedroom door (they sleep in my room), thus preventing them from messing downstairs and breaking a behaviour pattern (wake up - go downstairs - U / F in the kitchen - come back upstairs) before it becomes fixed. As they don't associate with the bedroom with toileting and because I am aware of the disturbance it allows me to get up, go down and let them out. They then get copious praise for going outside. It generally breaks the cycle very quickly.

Most dogs that I have owned have not been toilet trained or not reliably so when I get them or been hospitalised for a few days and I think that once a dog has got into a habit of messing indoors or in a kennel then, although it is possible to toilet train them, they seem to be prone to having occasionally break downs in toileting behaviour throughout the rest of their lives. Just my experiences though!

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Katy — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:08:52 GMT

Thanks Kate!

Will try that too. Willing to try anything! Lol x

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:18:36 GMT

It sounds like their house-training's slipped because they maybe don't realise that last letting out before bed is a last toilet opportunity? If you've just been expecting a mess every morning, it sounds a bit like they've got into the habit because they can, and you need to be more proactive in stopping it happening. Rather than just putting them out to go to the toilet, you actually need to go out with them, one at a time, wait with them until they go, and then praise them when they do. If they won't go in the garden, then they need to go for a short walk. My dog's always been a very nervous piddler due to poor housetraining in her first home - she is perfectly housetrained now, and toilets on command but she just wouldn't go unless we go out with her and praise her when she goes. Hope you get it sorted. x

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Katy — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:10:42 GMT

I wasn't keen on them tbh... Just a thought though.

Going to let the monsters on the grass one by one tonight, before bed... hopefully we will be accident free!

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Vicky RVN — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:55:49 GMT

[quote user="Katy"]

What are your thoughts on the "dog rocks" to stop burn marks on the lawn? Load of rubbish?!

[/quote]

I'm personally not keen on the idea....it seems a bit wrong changing the urine, it is what it is, I would worry about causing problems changing this. I know someone who got one for her dog...he removed it from the bowl, so useless for her!

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Katy — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:00:07 GMT

Thanks guys!

They do get a walk last thing at night, but sometimes Sam doesn't poop that late. Bit weird really.

I have considered that she might have a UTI and she is drinking a bit more water than usual, so will see how she goes.

They have always been used to going on the patio, but I've spoken to OH and will start letting them on the grass separately so no distractions or churning it up!

What are your thoughts on the "dog rocks" to stop burn marks on the lawn? Load of rubbish?!

Will let you know how it goes.

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:24:55 GMT

Personally I'd think 2 walks a day are not enough, unless you have a very large and interesting patio for them to play on. 6 or even 8 short walks are much better than 2 long ones in young dogs, as they get easily bored. It is amazing what difference a trot round the block makes. (One of my dogs is prone to weeing inside, and gets 2 or 3 short walks in the evening to ensure her bladder is empty before bedtime!) Obviously, the more interesting/tiring a day they have had, the more settled they will be overnight.

Is the wee/poo still warm when you find it? My dogs get into a very set routine so if we're not up at the usual time they start pacing and accidents happen - may be worth setting the alarm a bit earlier, before the dogs usually get up and get restless, and see if you can break the habit? It is hard to get them used to being praised for getting it right if they keep getting it wrong eh?

I would have thought a short walk at bedtime may be more successful than just putting them out on the patio?

Do they usually go OK on the hard surface? My dogs prefer grass and will only go on a hard surface if they are really desperate.

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Saskia Quinn — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:09:57 GMT

Im assuming you have done the usual - rule out any uti's etc?

I have 3 dogs - 2 Lurchers and a Greyhound. One of the Lurchers and Saskia (GH) would often urinate during the night and I would come down to a mess almost every morning. Doesnt matter if they were out at midnight and I was up at 6am, still a puddle on the floor, with the occassional poop! My other wee lurcher on the other hand would wake me out of my sleep if she had to go in the middle of the night.

I have tried the DAP collar (as moved home not so long ago) feeding early evening etc etc but nothing seems to make a difference. One morning one of my wee boys even slipped and fell where one of them had urinated and I felt terrible. I am thinking I am going to have to go back to using puppy trainers again.

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Julie — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:05:58 GMT

Well keep them out there until they do! I find it's easier sending one dog out at a time as mine distract each other and also taught them to go when I mention a certain word and that was the best thing I did.

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Katy — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:11:10 GMT

Hmm, well it's been going on a good few months.

We sort of just presume that there is going to be a mess in the kitchen when we come down in the morning.

They don't seem to want to toilet on the patio when we send them out for a wee before bed. They just sit staring at us!

Re: House-soiling dogs :-(

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:05:57 GMT

Is this a new thIng?