Housebreaking Question

[RottenGirl]

Our 3 1/2 mos old rottie girl, Allie, plays on our patio (puppy proofed with 6ft wooden fences) with her toys when we cant keep an eye on her during the day (while we're home). We always crate her when we're going to leave, but put her out there during showers and such. She will poop and pee out there and we clean it up daily. The problem we're having is this: she will come back in and pee right in front of the sliding door on my kitchen floor only minutes after coming in. It doesn't matter how long she is out there. She looks at us like she knows its wrong and we will walk her outside and then crate her for a short time. I'm not sure what to do with her. We don't let her have free run of the house. She is always with us on lead when we're all inside (tv time, etc), but she isnt allowed upstairs b/c she always pees on my hall carpet. Any ideas???

[TrishB]

I think the problem here is that just because she's going outside doesn't mean that she KNOWS she's supposed to go outside. ;)

You need to go outside with her on her leash. Some people like to use a command to go along with it such as "Potty" or something along those lines. If you don't like that word, you can choose anything, as long as you're consistent! ;) When she does go, praise her like she's the best thing that's ever walked on four legs!! She needs to know that she's being rewarded for her correct behaviour.

Right now, when she goes outside, there's no feedback. There's no praise to tell her that she did it right. When she goes inside, you may reprimand her, but you're not teaching her the behaviour that you want to replace it with.

Also note that if you find she's been outside and then makes a mess inside, you brought her in too soon! Puppies have very short attention spans (just like children). If you have her outside and you have distracted her (playing, patting, throwing toys, etc.) she may forget that she has to go. Sure she's been outside for 20 minutes, but she didn't think she had to go when there was so much going on! Now that she's inside and relaxed, she remembered! :p Be sure that if you go outside that you let her get down to business and save the playing for afterwards.

I think that once you begin praising her for the correct behaviour, you'll find that the incorrect one will soon disappear!

Best of luck! :D

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

Originally posted by RottenGirl
The problem we're having is this: she will come back in and pee right in front of the sliding door on my kitchen floor only minutes after coming in. It doesn't matter how long she is out there.

'

The split second she does that, say NO and physically pick her up and take her outside. When she continues peeing outside, PRAISE her greatly.
You need to catch her in the act of peeing/pooping inside for her to make the connection that it is wrong to pee/poop inside. She just doesn't get it yet, like a toddler who pees his pants doesn't know it's wrong at first.
So correct her when she's going pee or pooping inside, and praise her when she's going pee or poop outside. It may take a few times, but she will catch on very quickly! You have to be 100% on this though or it won't work, or will take a LOT longer. My sister has a 6 yr old dachshund that she never took the time to truly train, and that dog still doesn't get it. he goes inside at his whim, and he is not a welcome houseguest anywhere.

[Judi W]

There is not much difference in the surface of your patio than the floor of your house. She has been left with a hard floor to use as her bathroom rather than a garden or lawn so I believe she is only doing what you've taught her to do. She's a baby. When it is time to potty, take her out to the yard otherwise keep her with you. Nothing wrong with playing on the patio AFTER she has been taken to the yard for potty duties and you must stay with her until she goes and tell her she is a good girl. It will take a while for her to get over going on floors instead of the ground so be patient and consistent (no lazy way around housebreaking).