I need help with potty training 2 dogs?

Question

I have 2 dogs, one is 13 years old and one is 1 1/2 years old. We are moving to a new house which is beautiful and I want them to go outside. Here they pretty much go inside and I keep cleaning it up! How can I train them to go outside when they are older dogs? Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Start from scratch -- maybe enlist the help of a trainer at PetSmart

Answer 2

The old saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks is wrong. It doesn't matter what age your dog is it requires the same things that training a yound dog would: persitance and patience. You will need to take your dog out every 3 to 4 hours to the area you want them to go to the bathroom in. Tell them to potty and if they do give them a lot of praise and treats. If you catch them going in the house make a loud noise to startle the dog and hopefully stop it from continueing to go to the bathroom then take it outside. Even if it does go inside take it outside immediantly and tell it to go potty. Do not hit your dog or yell this will only confuse the dog and make it scared of you. If your dogs is 13 and it's going inside it is your fault or who ever's responsibility it was to teach the dog to go outside. It can be done but be patient and persistant.

Answer 3

Ever hear, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks?" Well, thats a bunch of bull (or in this case "dog") dootie. My past experiences with your problem have been resolved by a method called "crate-training." In short, purchase a wire crate(s) large enough to comfortably house your dog(s) from a pet store,bring it home, assemble it, put a comfortable blanket in the cage for your dog to lie down on, and another blanket to cover (& darken) the top and three sides of the cage during the day. Place the dog's water and food bowls (You don't poop where you eat) in the crate with chew toys (this will entice them into the cage). LEAVE THE DOOR TO THE CAGE OPEN DURING THE DAY WHEN YOU ARE HOME. The dogs should instinctively use the cage as they would a den in the wild. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use the cage as a prison or form of punishment for the dogs behavior. At night the door should be closed and covered with the dogs inside AFTER you have walked the dogs to relieve themselves and IMMEDIATELY praised them for their desired behavior. The dogs may whine in the cage the first couple nights, but this will pass soon providing their unwanted (barking/whining) behavior is NOT reinforced by you showing them attention. LEAVE THEM BE!!! (It's hard, but trust me it works). Upon (you) waking in the morning, IMMEDIATELY remove the dogs and walk them so they can relieve themselves. Praise them by petting their heads firmly while saying there name (i.e. "Good boy, Fido, good boy") every time the desired behavior (pooping outside) is completed. They will associate the desired behavior with your praise, which will reinforce that behavior. ONLY chastise with a stern "Fido,NO!" (NEVER HIT) the dog when you catch him "IN THE ACT" (pooping in the house) of the undesired behavior. IMMEDIATELY take the dog outside to relieve himself AND STAY WITH HIM until he does so. Again praise the dog "Good boy, Fido!" with the same petting on the head immediately after the desired behavior occurs. Let him inside the house once again- to his open-doored den. He will be happy, you will be happy, and your new house will be your new Home! ABSOLUTE CONSISTENCY ON YOUR PART (head pat and praise/positive reinforcement, the stern "NO Fido"/negative reinforcement) is essential to achieve the desired behavior of your dogs.
And don't let the dog's age issue deter you from your training. After all, how old were you when the dogs trained YOU to pick up their poop after allowing them to "go" in the house?
Both of my German Shepherds were potty trained in less than a week using this method. Good luck with yours, and give them a pat on the head for me.

Answer 4

The way I trained my puppies (there were 7) was, I layed down news paper and when they went on that I gave them attention. Soon I began moving the paper towards the door and they eventually started going outside on their own. Dogs are extremely smart animals and they learn quickly.
I hope this helps you out.

Answer 5

Okay, try to put them outside when they are going to go potty because you know when they have to go. And just when you see the put them outside and they'll learn they have to go outside, and don't let them in until you see they do what they have to do. I think it may be difficult for you to be taking them outside alot because they go at night to so I suggest you should potty train them inside or keep them outside. =) Good luck!

Answer 6

Man, if one's 13 good luck with that!
If you really want them to stay indoors, get a doggy door and set them up a very nice comfy place to call home with TILE in it. If not, you're just asking for pee to be all in your house.
The younger one MIGHT be able to housetrain, but it's going to take a lot of work on your part.
Go to Petsmart and get some "scent" and try that out.

Answer 7

crate training is the way to go. when you can't watch your dogs put them in a crate. after you take them out of the crate take them out right away.dogs have to go out 15-20 mins after they eat. give them tons of praise when they do it outside including treats. use a key phrase when taking them out. like "Pee Pee outside" or "lets go outside" or" let's go potty". use the same phrase always. when they have accidents inside do not spank or yell unless you catch them in the act. if you catch them in the act you take them straight out and use your key phrase. if they finish outside give them a treat and lots of praise.
lots of work on your part for a couple of weeks but it will work!!

Answer 8

I would recommend crate training. Here is an article on this subject. Hope it helps!