General retraining of older dogs

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General retraining of older dogs

Posted : 5/24/2006 9:31:38 AM

I recently brought in two stray dogs. They were obviously from a previous home which trained them decently, however one of them still has problems. They are both around 8 or 9 years I believe. One is a beagle and I think the other is some kind of beagle mix.

Anyway, the beagle tends to still relieve himself in the house sometimes. Is the best way to correct this still crate training after he's spent so much time not cooped up in a crate? I feel it would be cruel to sit there and listen to him whine and bark from being in a small crate. The strange thing is, he'll choose to relieve himself anywhere in the house. I've read that dogs tend to not go where they sleep or eat, but that doesn't seem to bother this guy. He also sometimes will just go on a blanket in the middle of the room instead of aiming for a piece of furniture or something.

Also, he likes to wake me up at 6:00 in the morning by barking to go outside. Can I correct this by just ignoring it for a while?

Thanks

angelamarie

Posted : 5/24/2006 8:50:54 PM

First of all, blessings on you for taking in these two strays, I know it's not an easy project.

I adopted a 6 year old dog 3 months ago. Although he came from a home environment, he was not very well housetrained, and so I faced a similar challenge.

What I did, and it worked, is I did the same exact thing I would have done had he been a puppy. I personally would not choose to crate this dog, as it's not a method I employ. Others may have more to add on that. Instead, with any dog we've housetrained, we have confined them to a very small area of the house, usually by gating the dog in the kitchen on the tile floor. Then, it's take the dog out every 1/2 hour and when he does something outside, GO BANANAS, tons of praise and special treats. Keep him in your sight at all times in the house and if he makes a mistake give him a simple correction, I use a "Eh," just to get the dog's attention, do not scold. Then, gently lead him out to the yard and tell him he's good, not as big a party as if he did something during the visit to the yard. When you go out and leave him home alone, keep him in his confined area with a few tinkle pads, perhaps that will help him, but at his age, if he pees and poos before you go out, he should be able to last a long time until you return to take him out again.

It takes a ridiculous number of trips to the yard to get a dog housetrained, it can be exhausting. But, the efforts you put in now will last the rest of the dog's life.

Also, make sure to clean any spots where he has had accidents. Use an enzymatic cleaner and soak the area well so as to even get down to the rug pad. Then, follow it up by spraying the area with No Go, a product available at petsmart that discourages a dog from revisiting a previously soiled spot.

Good luck and let us know how you do.