Any dog experts??? Long post

[Shel]

We desperately need some help with 2 of our 3 dogs. We have a 15 year old Sheltie who has occassional accidents, which is to be expected at that age. In late August 2003 we adopted a rescue Belgian shepherd (2 yrs) who was semi-house broke. We worked with her & she finally understood where to do her business. In March 2004 we adopted another rescue, a black lab mix (6 mo.) who also understood the basics of potty rules. They have gradually became lazy this spring, due to excess rain, etx. about doing their business outside. Cleaning carpets has become a weekly ritual & it's fast getting OLD. We don't want to return them because we firmly believe in keeping a commitment. We also have never caught them "red-handed", only found the mess later, so never know who to discipline. We are at the end of our ropes! Oh yes, the dogs get along fine & are best friends. They live in the house & only go out to potty. (we wish!) Does anyone have any suggestions???? Thanks so much!

 

[Jolie C]

I'm not a dog expert, but I'll chime in. When we got our dog, we knew that some dogs are kind of "shy" about letting their owner know that they need to go outside. They just aren't very demonstrative about it with their actions or their voice. To avoid any confusion about whether or not our dog needed to go outside, we taught her to ring a bell when she wants out. Just a thought. Good luck!

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

We used the crate method to toilet train our dog. If she has accidents, it's back to the crate. Since dogs won't normally soil their crates, they'll go out when you come and get them.

 

[jipsy]

I also suggest crates.

 

[stamper]

Another vote for crates! When we are trying to housebreak a puppy/dog, this is what we do.

Puppy sleeps in crate at night, first thing in AM he is taken out, if he "goes" he gets play time, if not then back in the crate for about 15 min to half hour(depending on age), then it's back out. When he "goes" make sure to praise lots!!! For a puppy, "play" time should be short as they have small bladders, older dogs get longer play time. The idea is to allow only enough "free" time to be successful(not accidents), then into the crate for a few minutes and directly outside to set them up for success in doing their business outside.

The other method that many people use is to attach the dogs leash to the dog and then to themselves so they can keep an eye on the dog...thus being able to catch them "red handed" and get them outside to do the deed. Might be hard with 3 dogs....maybe work with one for a day or two and then switch dogs.

Good luck! Remember....PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE for the appropriate behavior and just calmly clean up any accidents as if it's no big deal. Harsh reprimands will only make the problem worse.

Oh....when they start to do their "business" outside where you want them to do it....use a verbal command word to reinforce it and also to use later on when you are in a hurry and want them to "go" quickly. Use "pee-pee", "potty" or whatever works for you.

 

[stinkerbelle]

One thing - crating doesn't work for every dog. Our dog was crated when we were in our old house during the day while we were at work...sometimes we would come home to quite a mess. We gradually worked up to her having more free reign of the house when we weren't home...now she makes herself comfortable on the good couch all day.

She's at the point where she only has accidents if she's 1. excited 2. sick

Do you have a basement (with cement floors) that you can put them in? Is it possible that you could buy baby-gates and gate in a room in our house (I'm thinking the kitchen if you have vinyl or similar flooring?)

Only other thing I can offer is to take them out more regualry...like every hour or 2...get them in the habit of being outside more...and like the other posters said - praise praise praise!

You're very lucky your sheltie has lived so long! I grew up with one and he sadly passed away at age 14...they are GREAT dogs. (My parents actually have 2 more now!)

 

[ducklite]

Crate training sounds like it's the best way to go. If you do'nt want to go that route, or it doesn't work, I agree with the other poster, confine them into the kitchen with gates so at least they aren't ruining your rugs.

I really admire your attitude of sticking out the commitment to these animals. Not many people would. I volunteered in animal rescue/shelters for years, and had to take a break for a bit, the attitude people have towards the "pets they loved so much" as they were surrendering them really got to me.

Good luck!

Anne

 

[winniedapooh]

I also will chime in and suggest a crate/s but also to see if getting them out more will help. Do they have any kind of shedule or are they just doing their business whenever? It is heartbreaking when this happens. My Mom's Dachsaund who is 7 recently hurt his back and has a difficult time with stairs, if she does not get to him in time yikes. Well DB, when he move left his Golden with Mom and now Golden has taken to doing the same thing. She can obviously tell who has done what but the shampooing is begininng to get to her as well!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes, put them on a schedule, just like when they were puppies. Take them out after eating, esp. Do they get to eat all day or do you have that scheduled? You can scheduled eating times as well to get their bowels on a schedule too.

Also if you can do it, they can only be on a leash in the house and in the crate when you can't watch them until they get their act together. It's very doable just takes alot of time and patience.

 

[Nette]

Ugh, I'm gonna sound like a freak!

I agree that crate training is a good idea. You do have to make sure that the crate is the right size though. If it is too big, they will just use one end for the potty and the other for "living". You need one that is large enough for them to lie down and turn around, but no larger.

Also (and here is the part where I'm going to sound like a freak) have you thought about *why* they might be demonstrating this behavior? Have there been any major life changes lately (getting new dogs is a big change for them!)?

When I first got pregnant (and didn't know it yet) my long time Brittany had just started chewing stuff up. Our dog trainer suggested that she knew I was pregnant and it was stressing her out. (This was after I found out)

Make sure that you use positive reinforcement. I totally agree with making no big deal about cleaning up messes. Dogs are like kids (though some would say it is the other way around), any kind of attention is desireable. Make sure they only get the attention when they are behaving well and you will get the results you want.

Good Luck I know it can be frustrating!

 

[MosMom]

I'm just going to repeat what most have said. Crates/Gated Area, Schedules, & LOTS of Positive Reinforcement!!!

If you catch them at the door, praise them lavishly and then take them out. If they go...praise them again.

Also, be CERTAIN you are getting all the odor out of your carpets. Try Nature's Miracle to get all the odors out. If they are constantly smelling their odors in the house, they may think it is okay to go in the house.

 

[bekkiz]

This kind of goes with the scheduling idea, but DO NOT leave water or food out all day for them. You want to know when they're eating or drinking so you'll know when they might need to go out.

Remember, it's not really their fault if they go in the wrong part of the house. They're dogs--they don't know the good carpet from the tile floor. Furthermore, freedom/free reign of the house needs to be earned, it's not a right. Keep them in a small part of the house, especially if you're not there.

 

[Shel]

Thank you all for you input. Let me respond to the suggestions -

Crating - that was next on our list of things to try.

Controlled food - we've been doing that for about 3 weeks now, feeding them at suppertime. So far that seems to have moved their poop time to sometime through the night!!!

Controlled water - this is something we hadn't thought about.

Postive affirmation - I definitely need to improve here. I do praise them, but also tend to yell when there's a mess or puddle to clean up!

My DH & I both work 8 hour jobs. BUT...they are pottied at 9:00 by DD before she goes to school, again at noon when I go home for lunch, and at 12:50 before I go back to work, and at 4:00 when DD gets home from school, so it's not like it's an 8 hour stretch.

Thanks again everyone! I'm sure hoping for the best. And thank you ducklite for your positive comment regarding our commitment to our pets. I know some folks probably think we're crazy, and should've given them back or put them down when this behavior started, but I just can't bring myself to do that. This is their "forever" home where they are loved & safe.

 

[Kallison]

Maybe the 15 year old is having bladder control problems, that happens when they get older.