Need help with a rescue dog

[jfoofj]

Hi there~

We recently adopted a rescue dog through an organization that finds homes for abandoned animals. We already have a 3 year old yorkie/maltese mix who was pretty easy to housebreak/train. The dog we adopted is a yorkie mix (not really sure, he was found abandoned on the side of a road w/ a bag of dog food ) and the vet estimates he is approx 1 year old. He was extreme shy and fearful when we first got him (we've had him since March) but he has started coming out of his shell. The 2 dogs get along great, our 3 year old dog really took to the new addition.

We crate trained our first dog, but the new dog does not tolerate going in the crate. At all. As in completely flips out, smashing himself into the walls of the crate, moving the crate across the floor (this is an 9lb dog we are talking about) and hurting himself. The only time he goes into the crate is during the daytime, if the crate door is left open and he has a "treat" we have given him (or that he has stolen... ie the kids webkinz ) and he wants to hoard it. SO, yes, he sleeps in bed with us. He HAS to be on or up against one of us or our other dog. We are actually fine with the dogs in bed with us, however the new dog hasn't really "gotten" the whole bathrooming issue. While he does go outside when we let him out and take walks (and we praise him no end when he "does business" outside), he seems to think that under the dining room table and in front of my armoire in my bedroom are also appropriate bathrooming spots. I am constantly cleaning my rugs, I have sprayed every product known to Petco in these spots, I have resigned myself to the fact that we will need to call a professional carpet cleaner at some point in the near future, I just need to figure out a way, without yelling (he literally collapsed and shakes uncontrollably if yelled at) to teach him to NOT go in the house, to go to the door and let us know he needs to go out.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. He is a good boy, with a lot of love to give, and giving up on him is not an option for us, we made him a part of our family and that is forever.... we would just like to have him not pee and poop in the house.

Thanks.

 

[design_mom]

I am not a dog expert by any means, but we have had three dogs (currently have two) and all are rescues.

We had some house-training issues with one of the dogs. She also liked to use the dining room. One thing I read suggested that if your dog was going into a less-often used room (like a dining room or a formal living room) and doing his business, it's often because the "pack scent" is not as strong in there. Dog's won't potty where the pack "lives" but where the pack scent is not strong (like outside, or in an unused room) are considered okay potty spots.

The book suggested cleaning up any indoor potty accidents very well with vinegar/water or a product like Nature's Miracle to get rid of the potty scent. Once the area is clean, it suggested taking a book into the area and laying down on the carpet and reading for 30+ minutes. This will infuse the area with your scent and make it part of the pack's living area.

I felt stupid laying on the floor...but it worked for my dog.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I understand the crate problem, as my current dog had extreme anxiety when in the crate, also.

OTOH, you are setting up bad habits at this point letting the dog sleep with you in the bed.

Before you think I'm criticizing you, I just want to say, I'm not. I'm just trying to point out the issues. You need to think about this from the dog's perspective. To him, sleeping with you puts him on the same level as you - therefore you are not in charge, so why should he listen to you?

What we did for my dog because she was harming herself in the crate, was to make the entire kitchen become her "crate" by putting a fence up so she could stay in there.

If he's pooping on the rug, he has too much freedom. Start with "crating" him in the kitchen. If you know he is safe, after he's done his business outside, ignore his dramatics. He can only come out for short periods and only when he's directly under your supervision. Keep him on a leash so he stays near you, and don't give him the opportunity to go under the dining room table or anywhere else he's used to "going". Make him behave. For example, he should lay down nicely while he's with you on the leash, not be jumping or barking, etc. Don't let him get away with not behaving. Expect it, work toward it, and you will get it.

Unfortunately, you will need to "retrain" this dog. And it may not be easy. You did a noble thing rescuing him, but it sounds like he may have been mistreated and/or mistrained and you will have to train him the right way now.

The biggest favor you can do for yourself and the dog is to not feel sorry for him. Regardless of what he's been through, he's in a good place now. And in order for him to continue to enjoy this newfound good fortune, he'll need to learn to behave. Your job will be to teach him the right way. He will not be happy, but stay strong. Remember, there is no need to yell or hit, etc. Just be firm. This, the dog understands.

There is a book called Good Owners, Great Dogs, by Brian Kilcommons. I believe he also has a book specific to the needs of rescue dogs (ETA actually, he doesn't, but there are lots of other books available, here's one). I would try to get those and read them asap. Reading them and following his advice will save you lots of time and money.

Good luck.

 

[simba928]

Pea had a lot of good advice.

Part of the problem is that he is a toy breed. They are typically harder to housebreak (not saying all toys are diffiuclt, but they do typically take longer than larger breeds). Just be firm and patient. The poor little guy has been through a lot!

Like Pea said, cut back on his freedom. When he is out in the house, keep him close to you. If he starts to go, say "No" in a firm, sharp voice (not yelling but firm enough for him to know that you mean business, you can't be soft and overly gentle with him or else it will never work) and quickly take him outside. Lots and lots of praise when he goes outside (which you said you were doing already). Basically, make yourself look like a fool and act like him going potty outside is the best thing that he ever did. When he can't be supervised, confine him to a small space (not necessarily a crate, but maybe a puppy proofed kitchen or bathroom where it is easy to clean up any messes).

In the mean time, have you tried to use puppy pads? Those might help as well.

Rescues have been through a lot. They've often had a rough past and it's awesome of you to give him a good future! Just make sure that you set rules for him right off the bat. You may feel bad for him, but in the longer run it will be better for everyone if he knows his expectations from day 1. Think about it, would it be fair to him if he were allowed to do something one day and then all of a sudden he got in trouble for doing it the next day? This happens a lot with puppies. It's cute when a puppy jumps on you or chews your old shoes, but not so cute when a 60 or 70 pound dog jumps on you or cheews your shoes.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I understand the crate problem, as my current dog had extreme anxiety when in the crate, also.

OTOH, you are setting up bad habits at this point letting the dog sleep with you in the bed.

Before you think I'm criticizing you, I just want to say, I'm not. I'm just trying to point out the issues. You need to think about this from the dog's perspective. To him, sleeping with you puts him on the same level as you - therefore you are not in charge, so why should he listen to you?

What we did for my dog because she was harming herself in the crate, was to make the entire kitchen become her "crate" by putting a fence up so she could stay in there.

If he's pooping on the rug, he has too much freedom. Start with "crating" him in the kitchen. If you know he is safe, after he's done his business outside, ignore his dramatics. He can only come out for short periods and only when he's directly under your supervision. Keep him on a leash so he stays near you, and don't give him the opportunity to go under the dining room table or anywhere else he's used to "going". Make him behave. For example, he should lay down nicely while he's with you on the leash, not be jumping or barking, etc. Don't let him get away with not behaving. Expect it, work toward it, and you will get it.

Unfortunately, you will need to "retrain" this dog. And it may not be easy. You did a noble thing rescuing him, but it sounds like he may have been mistreated and/or mistrained and you will have to train him the right way now.

The biggest favor you can do for yourself and the dog is to not feel sorry for him. Regardless of what he's been through, he's in a good place now. And in order for him to continue to enjoy this newfound good fortune, he'll need to learn to behave. Your job will be to teach him the right way. He will not be happy, but stay strong. Remember, there is no need to yell or hit, etc. Just be firm. This, the dog understands.

There is a book called Good Owners, Great Dogs, by Brian Kilcommons. I believe he also has a book specific to the needs of rescue dogs (ETA actually, he doesn't, but there are lots of other books available, here's one). I would try to get those and read them asap. Reading them and following his advice will save you lots of time and money.

Good luck.

Did you see the prices listed for the Rescue specific book? I had college textbooks cost less than that and they were hardback. Thanks for posting the links to the other book. I may get that for our Onslow. He's doing great but we really should be working on commands with him. I don't know if I can kick him out of my bed though. Its so nice waking up with him beside me or at the bottom.

 

[Keira1387]

Just wanted to say that I think you did a great thing by adopting that puppy and not giving up on him. I hope he is potty trained soon!

 

[Feralpeg]

Don't assume that the dog will tell you when he needs to go. Until he gets the idea, you need to be on top of it. Take him outside every 30 minutes. I know it is a pain, but eventually, he will get the idea.

I recently adopted two black lab puppies from a rescue group. It took about a month of constantly taking them out for them to get the message.

 

[simba928]

Don't assume that the dog will tell you when he needs to go. Until he gets the idea, you need to be on top of it. Take him outside every 30 minutes. I know it is a pain, but eventually, he will get the idea.

I recently adopted two black lab puppies from a rescue group. It took about a month of constantly taking them out for them to get the message.

That's the other thing I forgot to mention! Thanks! HAHA.

Scheduling is KEY. Take him out as soon as you wake up, take him out right after breakfast, take him out after he drinks water, take him out after dinner, take him out right before bed, EVERY SINGLE DAY. He will eventually learn that being done with breakfast = potty time, bedtime = potty time, etc. When I first got my dog, she was about a year old. I started her off on a schedule. Every morning, we woke up, went outside, had breakfast, then she went into her crate for the day (we recently switched that up due to some potty issues inside the crate, now we wake up, have breakfast, then go out and she comes running to me the second she finishes breakfast because she knows that means it's potty time). She knows that afte dinner it's potty time. She knows that she goes potty before bed and when she comes in from her last trip outside for the day, she runs straight to my room and goes to sleep, without me telling her. Dogs thrive on schedule so you can't just take him out whenever you think he needs to go. You need to start off telling him when it's time to go outside.