Dog Community

dog not housebroken

Posted : 12/24/2009 3:55:42 PM

I've had Cinderella for five weeks now. She is a Boston terrier, about 11 pounds, probably 3 years old, left anonymously at a dog pound. She hasn't a clue. This is the fourth grown dog we've fostered that had some kind of housebreaking problem. I've always been able to sort out what the problem is and work through it. Cinderella is already crate trained, doesn't soil the crate, has learned that when she pees outside or poops outside she will get a treat. She has gotten better about going for a wee walk first thing in the morning to work out all of the poop and pee.

She pees all over the house. We have laminate floors so clean up is easy. I'm sure there is not a problem with her smelling the remains because I haven't had this particular problem with other dogs. Besides, she would learn to have favorite spots if she was following her own scent. Favorite spots include: outside bathroom door, in bathroom on tile, in front of kitchen sink, in front of kitchen oven, in front of refrigerator, in front of french doors, next to coffee table, next to dining room table, in bedroom closet, in front of crate, in computer room, next to spinning wheel,... You get the idea, she just goes everywhere. And it's not :"Oh, I really gotta go!" She will pee ten minutes after peeing outside. And she will not make one spot but two, or three, or four spots. No dribbling, real little puddles. I thank the Lord we don't have carpeting.

This is my explanation: Cinderella was in a confined environment with an open crate. This room was never cleaned. She is trying to make my house smell "correct". What do you think. Since she does not soil the crate she is spending quite a bit of time in there. But, she has periods of play activity and I don't like to stop all activity. I know I could keep her in the crate except when outside, but it is cold outside and she can't spend more than a few minutes at a time outside (Bostons have practicly no fur, even with a sweater she gets cold, plus she's got 30% of her fur missing from D Mange). I have put diapers on her and she pees and poops in them. I'd rather she just be trained and not try to adopt out a dog that needs a diaper. Thanks

tenna

Posted : 12/24/2009 4:46:33 PM

This behavior is pretty common among dogs that have been kept in puppy mills. You might do some research on housetraining a puppy mill dog, as it may provide further insight. (Not to say she is from one).

I would personally keep her either in the crate at all times, tethered to you, or outside on a walk. Up your reinforcement for going potty outside - better (or more) treats, play time, affection, etc., If she is tethered to you inside, you will better be able to watch her for signs of imminent pottying, and be able to take her out. I'd increase the amount of outside walks, as well. I know it's cold, but you need to make going inside no longer an option. Not to say leave her out unsupervised, but I would personally take shorter, more frequent, potty runs.

Has she had a full vet check up to make sure she is not suffering from a kidney/bladder/urinary tract infection? That would be my first step.

calliecritturs

Posted : 12/24/2009 6:04:27 PM

Demodex is very common in bostons (it is in *all* bully and bracheocephalic breeds). I've helped literally thousands of people so if you want to email me I'll send you my article (no, I don't sell anything - it's just a bit more holistic way of treating that works well).

However, as to your instant problem -- this honestly sounds to me like a dog with a urinary tract problem. And yes, it could have come with her because a dog with such a problem may ultimately lie in their own urine (not in their crate but elsewhere) and re-infect with the same bacteria over and over. But a dog that marks all over the place may be marking, or it may simply be going very frequently. It *is* worth a serious vet check (not just a strip test -- but an actual urinalysis to see if there are casts, stones or crystals).

From there -- a couple of questions:

1. Does this dog **ever** go in front of you? When you are outside, does the dog "hide" to go -- OFTEN rescues wind up scared to 'go' in front of a human and if they get interrupted or don't finish or can't figure out how to complete it without you SEEING them they will wait until they can ditch you (usually once inside) and go somewhere else she has successfully elminated before.

You have to get tricky with a long leash and a mirror usually -- to "catch" her when she goes and at that **instant** tell her how great she is -- we just discussed this on another thread, but it's always my feeling that waiting to 'treat' when they go out takes too long and I don't think they 'get' it immediately enough.

2. How do you contain her inside? I would have this gal leashed TO me. *all* the time -- and with a short enough leash that I would feel the tug if she stopped to squat or move in any way.

++++++++++++++++

For housetraining, tho -- I usually move their accidents outside. I soak up urine and pick up *** and take the paper OUTSIDE and lay it down. Then clear up completely (and if she's actually marking then you likely need to be using something far deeper to clean with). But then take her *on leash* outside and show her that you've **moved** her waste. It belongs *here* ... not IN my house.

But honestly, in my house she would have ZERO freedom of movement until you get a handle on the house-training. You have to keep track of her every second to 'catch' her.

Maura

Posted : 12/26/2009 11:55:08 AM

Thank you for your responses. I don't think this dog was from a mill. We have other foster homes for puppy mill breeders. I think she was with someone who was mentally ill or in the early stages of dementia and either forgot to let the dogs out or simply wouldn't. I've seen this before but didn't have to deal with the aftermath. Wish I'd seen your article when we pulled her from the shelter. The first vet gave her a Mitaban Dip which really po'd the rescue's president as it is very harsh. My local vet gave me a recipe for a lavender sponge bath which really helped a lot, brought down the swelling and stopped the itching.

The first vet also gave her 2 penicillin injections and put her on a course of Clavamox. My local vet said that the antibiotics would have taken care of an infection and suggested that since she is not dribbling and has no problem soiling the crate, that it is a training issue.

I don't like using aversives with a foster, but Cinderella is quite comfortable and I am attaching her to me and instigating the "AHHhhh!" You are right, she can really have no unsupervised freedom in the house. On the plus side, it has warmed up a bit, snow melting, and she is enjoying her quick walks outside, which keep more puddles outside than inside. She has such a great personality, but is not going to be adoptable if she doesn't stop peeing all over the place.