My Dog Refuses To Be Housebroken!?

Question

I just got a four month old golden retriever mix, and no matter how hard I try she keeps going in the house! Ive tried housebreaking pads but they dont seem to work. She just goes in a corner somewhere or something, no matter how hard I try to make her go outside. Any advice from someone whose been there?

Answer 1

Patience. Keep working with her and use rewards. Take her outside when she wakes up, after she eats, after playing, before going to bed, and when she starts sniffing around. Keep her outside until she does her business and then offer a treat and lots of praise. Keep working with her. She'll understand eventually.

Answer 2

My dog was hard to housebreak too...have you tried crate training? When I was first trying with my dog, I would take her out every 2 hours whether she had to go or not. If you have the time to do that I would suggest it. Good luck

P.S. Don't yell at the dog when he/she goes in the house, it doesn't work, it is better to take her/him outside immediately and let them finish outside and then praise them.

Answer 3

You might want to try getting advice from a dog trainer. Make sure there isn't some medical problem that's hurting the process.

Whatever the case, the answer certainly is NOT to leave the dog outside all the time. Dogs are highly social animals, and they need TLC (especially puppies).

Answer 4

I found a videotape at an area library that offered tips on training one's pet dog. She taught to take them outside at regular intervals during the 'training period'. Especially after eating a meal, they should be taken outside. When they drink water, they often immediately empty their bladder. It is a way that they 'mark' their territory, too. Your puppy may just be trying to adapt and claim it's new territory; however, the behavior is negative and efforts should be made to curb this behavior. Never suffocate a pet by 'rubbing their nose in it'. It can impede their ability to breathe; and, it may not know how to interprete it -- other than it is being treated cruelly. Try the links below:

Answer 5

I have 2 Goldens. They aren't stupid and they'll come around. First and foremost, cage him at night. I actually though that this was cruel but it isn't. They consider the cage their "home" and you'll be surprised. Snap your fingers and they'll run right in there. They also will not do anything in their cage overnight either. Make sure that the dog has nothing to drink about 2 hours before going to bed. Put his water dish up and make sure the lid on the toilet is down because that'll be his next stop.
First thing in the morning...let him out. Put a leash on him before he gets out of the cage, get him to the door and unleash him (if you have an enclosed area) and let him go. Just watch him closely when inside. He'll signal that he wants to go out. Both of mine come up to you and despite you saying "Beat it...lie down"..they won't. That only means one thing. It'll be housebroken soon...take my word and good luck.

Oh...watch out for the chewing phase...that usually should be coming up next. Put your shoes up.

Answer 6

Hi I have a 12 wk old beagle puppy. She didnt take to house training either. But i tried crate training her..... She did good with that. I just let her out at 6 am, 12 pm, 4 pm, and 9 pm. At 9pm after she went out she went back in her crate. and she was trained within two wks.

Answer 7

You may want to have your puppy checked out at the Vets. She may have a bladder infection, which would be why she keeps urinating in your house. They usually do this as a cry for help.

Have a lovely rest of the day.

Answer 8

o.k.
-go to pet store
-buy a dog crate that is big enough for her when she gets full grown. until then, use a box or laundry basket to put in the back (if needed) so she only has enough room to lay down and turn around. if she has too much room she will eliminate on one end and sleep in the other.
-introduce her to the crate. put some treats in it and some toys so she knows it's a happy place.
-she will most likely not like it at first and when you put her in it she will probably cry. DO NOT RELENT!!!! i felt so horrible for putting my dog in his crate, but in time he learned to love it and it's now his space.
-use her crate at night and when you are not home. she will not eliminate where she sleeps unless you have her in there way too long. my pup's max is about 5 or 6 hours right now. eventually his bladder will be big enough for my 8 hour work day, but i'll prob still go home at lunch to say "hi".
-if she is out in the house with you, you need to watch her like a hawk. if you see her circling or sniffing out a spot or going toward a corner, then take her outside and stay there with her until she does her business. then lots of treats and pets and "good girl".
if you leave her outside by herself then you will never know if she went to the bathroom.
-if she starts to go in the house yell her name and "no", then take her outside so she knows to finish there. once she finishes outside then still give her lots of treats and love for doing what you wanted her to do!
-if she goes in the house and you didn't see it, then shame on you for not watching her. there isn't anything you can do aside from clean it up and watch her more next time.
-everyone in your house needs to be on the same page with the housetraining. if it's someone's turn to watch the dog, then they need to watch her, not worry about their favorite tv show, etc...
-take her out every 30-45 minutes just to be sure she doesn't have to go, plus she'll get used to going outside. also, take her out every time you let her out of her crate, when she wakes from a nap and about 30min after meals.

we did this for our chocolate lab puppy and he has done really well! it just takes some time at first and consistency, but once you and she get used to it it will be like second nture and you won't have to watch her quite as often.
i hope this works for you!

also, if you still have problems, check out your local petsmart. we are taking our puppy there for puppy training and they also have potty training classes!

good luck and hang in there!

Answer 9

Crate training is the way to go. You can have them pretty much trained in about 2 weeks.

Answer 10

Here is a great source of free information dealing with this issue. You have access to a free eBook also for help.

http://www.Dog-Training-Sites.com/article9.htm