Dog Community

housetraining problem that didn't used to be a problem!

Posted : 6/17/2006 10:16:16 AM

I have a 4 yr old australian shepherd mix. i got him about two years ago from a shelter. when i lived in new york he was completely house trained. although i lived in an apartment and he was walked regularly and on a good schedule. then i moved in with my fiance into his house and he could go out the back door whenever he wanted. there he also had no problems with going in the house.

then we moved to florida and we now have a house with a dog door. he can go in and out as he pleases but since we have been here (about a year) he has gotten worse and worse with going to the bathroom in the house. in the beginning it was just a once in a while thing that would happen overnight when the dog door was closed. it would also sometimes happen during the day while my husband and i are at work when the dog door was closed.

now it is an everyday occurence. we have been keeping him in our bedroom with newspaper put down on our attached bathroom floor. usually he goes on the paper in the bathroom. so it's like we've now trained him to go on the paper during the day and at night.

the main problem is that riley (my dog) is overly attached to me and does not leave my side. so when i get home from work, he is fed and then he stays next to me all the time. so even if he HAS to go out he won't go out the dog door. he only goes out if he hears a dog barking or something. and then he comes right back. if i am out in the backyard for a long time he will go to the bathroom. because obviously he has to go and i'm there so it's ok. i'm assuming that crate training is my only option. i have tried walking him at night and in the morning but he is not a dog that easily poops. he takes a long long time to go and it's never if he really HAS to go. so he holds it until he absoultely has to go which is usually in the house. if anyone has ANY advice i would really apprecite it as this is now a daily occurence and i am very desparate. Thanks

I should also mention that I have another dog in the house as well, a six year old Newfoundland mix that has no problems using the dog door. The dogs get along fairly well though Riley can be a bit aggressive and is definitley possessive when it comes to me. He doesn't really let Wooley up on the bed with me without him jumping up and sometimes growling at Wooley. but overall, they play and get along fairly well.

angelamarie

Posted : 6/19/2006 8:52:30 PM

This dog has been through ALOT of transitions in a very short time. First, he got a new home at the age of 2, and moved from an apartment where he was walked and to a home where he could go out the door and then to a home with a doggie door that he was expected to use independently. THEN, he learned that going on the papers in the house was acceptable.

Can you see what I'm pointing out here? This is an awful lot of confusion for a dog, too many transitions.

It would be my guess that he has never become totally comfortable with the doggie door. I think of my 6 year old and 1.5 year old dogs, and there's times when I sure would like a doggie door--but, these are two dogs who have always had someone with them when they go to the yard, and they've been walked all the time. I can't imagine them easily transitioning to a doggie door.

I think you need to go back to housetraining 101--confine him to a small area of the house, like gating him in the kitchen. Take him out often, and when he does something out there praise him very highly and give him a special treat. Just like you would train him if he's a puppy.

Also, a housetrained dog is housetrained because not only does he know not to go in the house, he has an owner that is in tune with his schedule and when he needs to go out. For example, you say that after he is fed, he stays right by your side and won't go out to go. I think you are expecting way too much from this dog, who obviously adores you and wants to be with you all the time. Take him out an hour after you feed him, help him to succeed. If he doesn't go at that time, take him out again at 1/2 hour intervals until he goes.

As for your statement that he doesn't allow the other dog on the bed, that should not be his decision, that should be yours. If he is on the bed and you would like to invite your other dog onto the bed, then you should be able to do that. If he growls or acts possessive of the bed, then he should immediately be taken off the bed and not allowed back on until you invite him up onto it. You own the bed, not him.

glenmar

Posted : 6/20/2006 6:24:16 AM

Excellent advise Angela.

aussiemom15

Posted : 6/20/2006 7:04:40 AM

thanks for the advice. it's been tough walking riley for long walks or frequently enough because i am currently six months pregnant and my back hurts after long walks. and he is a dog that does not poop right away. he actually takes a very, very long time to go. not sure if i can make him do it on command! i'm sure YOU can make your dog do whatever you want but i'm not there yet.

obviously this has to do with him being transitioned a lot. i mean we moved to florida a year ago and only starting having this problem then so i know he got thrown off because of it. and it's not like riley DOESN'T use the dog door. he knows it's there. he uses it to run out and bark at other dogs, passing bikes, etc. quite often. so i figure he can be trained to use it when he has the urge to go as well. maybe i'm just an idiot! he used to go out back in suffern so i know he's CAPABLE of that kind of responsibility.

anyways, thanks for the advice. riley's a very smart dog so i know with some work he'll come around. as for the bed comment, i've actually worked with him on that already, i was just giving a little background on his personality.

angelamarie

Posted : 6/20/2006 8:12:27 AM

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!! What an exciting time, and what a difficult time to be dealing with difficult dog behavior.

Perhaps instead of taking long walks with him you can simply spend time in the yard with him. He obviously knows how to use the doggie door, but doesn't seem to understand that's what he should do when it's time to go. When you think it is a time he should go, take a book or knitting or what ever you like to relax with out to the yard, and bring a toy or special bone for Riley and just sit yourself down and spend time. Perhaps that will help him to get going in the yard.

As for my dogs doing what ever I want on command, you obviously haven't been to my house!!!

aussiemom15

Posted : 6/20/2006 8:31:28 AM

Thanks!! [

] Yeah, I need to hang out in the backyard with Riley. When I am out back swimming or just hanging out having coffee, he'll go to the bathroom. But I really want to train him to use the dawg door. He's so smart I know he can do it! And luckily I've felt really good during this pregnancy but sometimes I just come home and am exhausted and spend the night in bed so I'm not attentive to his going out. And my back just started bothering me so I can't walk him as long as I'd like to

Riley does adore me and believe me I love it! He gives me so much love and we're VERY close. I adore him too

He's the sweetest. I call him our problem puppy. He's super quirky and high maintenance but he's totally worth it. And I NEVER get angry with him. I know it's our fault for not properly dealing with his issues. My husband gets so angry with him when he goes on the floor and I always tell him it's not his fault, it's OURS! He's just used to our perfect puppy who is a very good dog naturally. Though Wooley's not perfect either and I try to remind my hubby of that. He barks and demands cookies! haha. He's way easier than Riley but it's time for me to really put my foot down with both of them. Especially with a new baby coming. Though I do think they're really gonna dig the baby. Actually I think it's going to be good for Riley to have a new job. I took out a good book on how to prepare them so hopefully this transition can go smoothly. Thanks again for the advice and support

BTW, my name is Angela too

angelamarie

Posted : 6/20/2006 9:07:31 PM

I noticed you said when you are out in the yard swimming--you have a built-in pool?

Any chance Riley would like to swim in the pool with you? It would be great exercise for him and the not walking would then not be an issue.

aussiemom15

Posted : 6/21/2006 12:23:22 AM

yes, we have a pool but both dogs seem confused by it and won't come in. I would LOVE for them to swim with me but they won't come in. Riley stands at the very edge with his paws almost over the side and really seems like he's just going to jump in one day but I just can't get him to come in. Although he does try to drink out of it