Maria asks…

How to house train dogs?

We have a “new” dog, 1 yr old, chihuahua beagle mix…she’s very smart however when i take her out to go to the bathroom she just stands there, or just walks around…rarely goes to the bathroom…but inside she has no problem going on the floor, when i show her and tell her, no, bad girl, then take her out nothing….any suggestions?

Anna Walker answers:

I’m assuming she’s paper trained to some degree. Take a paper she’s soiled and put it outside on the lawn. Let her sniff, she’ll eventually get the idea. After success, praise effusely and reward with a treat.

Also, watch her closely and when she begins to sniff around or squat in the house, say “NO” and take her out immediately. Let her do her business outside, and again the praise. It may take a little time, but she can be trained, or retrained. Good luck!

Richard asks…

My dogs are having problems with house training?

I have 7 chihuahuas and I walk them at least an hour, four times a day because I’ve been exercising, so I take them with me. But it seems no matter how many walks they get they still poop and pee in the house.

I talked to my vet and changed their meals down to 2 meals a day. But it still isnt’ helping. The pee isn’t as bad right now, but the pooping is getting worse. And for some reason it’s just started recently. They didn’t do it before.

I’ve also tried using the sprays that my vet gave me to clean the area to remove the smell, but they still go to the same area every time.

Any ideas I could try to stop them? All of my chihuahuas are rescues and there is no way I could rehome any of them.

Their ages range from 1 year – 9 years old.

Anna Walker answers:

Crate train them…my dogs all were crate trained…have 3 pups now i crate trained they are 5 months old..they don’t even stay in the crates at night now because they hold it till morning..my dogs and pups are let out at 6 am every morning and before i go to bed at 1 am…i never feed them after 5:30 pm…

Steven asks…

How can I finally house train my dog?

I have a ten month old Weimaraner who is about to drive me crazy. Incase you don’t know anything about them, Weims are very high strung dogs that need a lot of exercise. This is fine with me though, we run every day and he seems very happy. The thing that drives me nuts is that I can’t get him completely housebroken. When I am home and awake, he is fine, but when I am not home, or if I am asleep, he goes on the floor (thank goodness it is at least on the linoleum of the kitchen). I can’t put him in a kennel because he will go in the kennel and lay in it, which I know is very unusual, but he does it, so then I have two messes to clean, him and the kennel. I have raised several other dogs and I have never had this problem. Does anyone have any ideas? I have had him tested for infections and he is fine. I am at a loss…

Anna Walker answers:

I have encountered this same problem with a young Boston Terrier. I went through a lot of trouble to get her trained, but with some consistency, it was accomplished–here is how I did it: First, she was kept in a kennel ONLY large enough for her to move in comfortably, and not moving freely. Make sure there is a cover over the kennel on 3 sides (use a blanket, sheet, etc.). This makes the kennel appear as though it is a natural den for the dog–they will always “hold it.” in their den–but it must feel like a den to them, so the cover is essential for this to work. Remove your dog directly from the kennel and take him to the the door, and use a “key word” for him to associate with, and make sure they are walking there, do not carry him. There will still be mistakes from time to time, but I have noticed that the turning point was using the cover on an otherwise open cage kennel. Good luck and if you have any other questions feel free to contact me–I have done extensive studying on this and dog behavior.

Carol asks…

Problem with House Training 2 dogs?!?

I have 2 dogs, a one year old Beagle, and a 2 year old Pomeranian.

I have had the Beagle for about a year now, and the Pomeranian for about a year and a half. I am STILL having trouble house training them. I have done just about everything. The Beagle is pretty much there, and only has an accident every couple of weeks(if he REALLY has to go), and the Pomeranian, well he just goes all the time! I am so tired of cleaning up after them, and I have done everything I know how. If this continues, we will either be giving them away, or they will stay outside.

Please Help!

Anna Walker answers:

Hello there, think you deserve some credit for bearing with your dogs for up to 2 years.

This being said you should have mastered potty training in the first 4 months…max!

I think you need to be very patient and get back to basics. Learn your dogs behaviour, when you see him/her showing signs of needing the toilet: circling, sniffing lots, scratching pick them
up and put it outside and give your command I use “go toilet”. You will need to wait until the dog does his or er business then LOADS of praise and treats. When toilet training I left a bag right next to the back door so they’re always there as you need to act quick!

Try not to scold the dog when they go in the house as it’s actually your fault for not getting on top of it.

If this doesn’t work try the following:

crate training
you can get these sticks that smell and encourage he dogs to wee you can stick them in the garden.
Dog trainer (I think this might be necessary)

finally, I would worry too much about the beagle, that seems pretty good if the dogs desperate it will reluctantly go in he home. Again that’s something you need to control, if you control your dogs diet and routine you will control the toilet routine. So if you feed your dog at specific times they will poo at specific times. If they eat all day whenever toilet habits are the same.

Sorry if this was poorly typed I’m on my phone. Feel free to drop an email for more information.

Daniel asks…

8 month old dog still having house training problems?

my 8 month old dog is still having accidents on the carpet, she is no longer pooing but still urinates on the floor every few days, i now keep her mainly outside during the day and bring her in for short periods. she sleeps all night inside though and almost never has an accident then. when she is inside in the day I take her out regularly, if she wees inside I immediatly take her outside, how can I teach her to tell me she needs to go, and to only go outside? (not sure if its relevent but she also likes to wee on the outside doormat sometimes.

Anna Walker answers:

Try to put it in a crib and only take it out when it wants to pee

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