Dog - how to house train

Barti

We recently got a small dog from a shelter, he didn't have the greatest life, and is around a year old. We have him in the kitchen to sleep or for when we have to leave for a little bit.

He has gotten better with not howling when in there now, but nearly every time he is left there, he goes toilet (both pee and poop), even if I am after taking him for a long walk during which he does pee as we go, but not always poop. This is pretty much happening each night, so we have something to clean up in the mornings, and sometimes in the evening (I brought him for a walk for almost an hour last night, left him in the kitchen for 20 mins while I went to town, and when I came back he had gone all over the floor).

Is there a good way to train that out of a dog? We have been trying to just keep bringing him out frequently or when he starts sniffing around, and reinforcing going toilet outside with a small treat and encouraging him with physical and verbal positivity (pats and telling him he's good). Not sure what else to do really, but I don't see much improvement yet. Maybe it just takes time to get there? It has been about a week now since we got him.

sillysmiles

I'm not sure, but if he is pooping when left alone, that sounds to me more like anxiety than toilet training. Maybe have read through some of the posts about separation anxiety and see if it sounds like what you are experiencing.

muddypaws

What are you using to clean up with? Anything ammonia based will smell like pee to a dog and encourage them to go there again

Barti

It could be separation issues, and if so it may just be something that takes time for him to get used to.

For cleaning I had been using either a kitchen spray, or floor cleaner which I don't think have ammonia in them.

Last night he eventually went outside, so he got a little ham and words of encouragement, and the ham will only be used in relation to going toilet outside, so he can associate it with something good. And no making any mess inside at all last night, so I think we timed it right so he was empty. Hopefully it'll just be more days like this.

sillysmiles

I think most stardard cleaning products have ammonia in them - just check the label too. I think too that there is a cleaner you can get in petshops that break it down. How long have you had him?

macnug

What about create training with a combination of some reward based training like clicker for when she gets it right. Not an expert but always worked for me.

Squall Leonhart

macnug wrote: »

What about create training with a combination of some reward based training like clicker for when she gets it right. Not an expert but always worked for me.

When I read the OP, crate training is what sprang to mind fore as well. Dogs don't like to toilet where they'll have to deal with it in close quarters themselves.

Crate training worked a treat when we got our two pups. I think they kinda developed Stockholm syndrome, they loved being in the crate! After maybe 2 months, they didn't need it and now sleep in the kitchen and hold their toilet needs until I bring them out in the morning.

bb12

white distilled vinegar mixed with water will clean up and leave no urine/poo smells and clears up ammonia.

aonb

Hes only been with you a week OP - it'll take many weeks before he feels safe and less anxious... specially if hes had a bad start in life

If he only pees/poos when locked in the utility, it sounds like anxiety... do you put a nice comfy bed in the utility? I would put a radio in there with him, and maybe something you have worn (with your smell) - and give him a nice chewy treat. I have an anxious dog - he gets very high reward treats when I go out now - he actually gets excited when he sees me getting ready to go out, jumps up on "his" armchair and very eager to get his special treat chew... break the association of you going out with being locked alone in the utility, with a nice treat, cosy bed.

It might also work to put a crate in the kitchen, so hes not locked away on his own in the utility? again cosy bed in the crate, and a treat and the radio while hes in the crate... hes unlikely to soil his crate bed. You would need to accustom him to being in the crate - door open and treats and send him there during the day so he knows its a safe, relaxing place

Barti

He's in the kitchen at night, has his own bed and blanket, toys, food, water, and a small light on in the extractor fan over the hob so it's not total darkness.

I think he is getting the hang of things, slowly, but getting there. There are some nights now where he doesn't do anything and waits until I bring him out in the morning, and during the day he comes out with me every hour or so and gets encouraged if he does anything. But some days we might bring him for a walk where he just pees and if we have to go somewhere for an hour like shopping or whatever then he may go in the kitchen. I do think it is just a matter of time of getting used to going outside.

Sheepdish1

If medical condition has been ruled out by vet . It sounds like he could have separation anxiety, poor little might and he is lucky to have a new owner who sounds very loving and patient

I am a big fan of crate training particularly for animals that are nervous as it is their safe space with visitors or when I need to do something. You would need to very slowly build a positive association with this and do it slowly and never send him to crate after he’s done something wrong, (I doubt you would do that anyway! )

With separation anxiety, he could be getting nervous when he realises you are going eg picking up keys , coat etc so it could help by desinsitizing him to these things.

Also, I would try spend some time apart from him in the house eg when watching tv ( soooo hard I know! ) but it will help him to understand it is ok to be on his own sometimes. You could get snuffle Matt for this !

I would have a kong frozen and ready give to him to distract and reward him when you are not there, he’ll eventually look forward to you not being there ( hopefully!)