angelamarie
Posted : 7/12/2006 7:03:45 PM
Your puppy undoubtedly picked up some bad habits from being crated in a store for so long. That doesn't mean you cannot correct them.
You mentioned you go out 2/3 times to potty, do you mean 2/3 times a day? If so, that's not nearly enough. You need to be taking her out at least once every hour. She will not necessarily go every time, as she is plenty old enough to hold it for much longer. The idea is to have her outside enough that your visits happen to coincide with her having to go. And, when she does go outside, throw a huge party for her, lots of praise, more than she gets for any other act, and a treat to. If you see her go in her confined area (and it is very good you are confining her, do not give her the run of the house), simply get her attention by saying something like "UH," then gently lead her outside and tell her she is good, even if she doesn't do anything while out there.
Make sure to thoroughly clean any place where she has gone inside, using an enzymatic cleanser, such as Petastic, and then spray the area with No Go.
With lots of time and patience, this dog will housetrain.
She was lucky you got her out of where she was, eventually dogs "age out" at pet stores. Some are sent onto shelters, some are euthanized. Your dog was probably at the end of her stay.
What type of dog is she, and can you post a picture?
Welcome to I-dog, let us know how you do.