Breeders/Trainers please. Not the average housetraining?

Question

Usually, I'm answering questions on housebreaking puppies but this one a friend asked me stumped me.

Housebroken puppy, 6 months old. Follows perfect behavior at the house, comes and alerts them if he needs to go to the bathroom. Runs to the door, sits and whimpers. Does the same thing at the husband's parents house (visiting the puppy's grandparents).

However, at the wife's family (my friend)--the dog acts completely different. Goes running into the other room (if they are in the den, he runs to kitchen) to go to the bathroom in the house! he doesn't go to the door first or alert them or anything. Now they don't always run after him b/c sometimes he is running to eat or grab a toy.

The couple can't figure out why the dog goes to the bathroom inside at ONLY her mother's house.

Professionals only please--I could really use some assistance on this one.

(The parent's house has another dog--a spayed female--and has always had dogs. However, they have all been fully housetrained so he isnt picking up those scents, but there is the smell of other dogs)

Dog is neutered. Liked the suggestion of the Poochie Bells. Might suggest that. Any other suggestions?

He knows its wrong since he runs to the other room right? Should he be umbilical corded so that he cant be more than 5 ft away? How long til he can be trusted there?

Answer 1

There are many myths that having a dog spayed or neutered will stop it doing what is natural, actually it doesnt alter any of this behaviour in the slightest, it will simply stop it from procreating.
As a breeder I would think this is simply scenting in the area they use, it is dominating the house.
This is very normal and it is easaily ectifiable BUT DONT SHOUT at the dog.
Just go back to basics of toilet trainig within each new environment within a few weeks all will be well.
www.eurobichons.com

Answer 2

I agree with the suggestion of crating the dog. I crate mine mainly because they are still puppies and I'm not totally sure I can trust them if I am not awake or at home when they need out.

Secondly I wouldn't ever rule out other smells. And not always other pet urine. The oddest smells attract our pets. (Why circle for twenty minutes looking for a certain spot of grass when in a hurry to potty?)

Lastly and in my opinion I would guess stress. Maybe it's a longer travel? Maybe the other pets oput off an intolerable scent, like an incompatability...? A crate or a leash inside is my only suggestion.

Answer 3

I think dogs are so good at smelling smells that are old....and keying in to some thing that's causing the behavior - and we poor sensory-deprived humans will not have a clue as to what it is.
Did someone there ever scold him for peeing at that house? Just a thought.
I'd crate him when he's there. Even though he's housetrained elsewhere, the potty mistakes that he is learning to make there are going to undermine the accomplishments at other locations.
Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

Answer 4

You might not think he is picking up scents but dogs give off and pick up all kinds of scents - it does not have to be urine to throw them off.

Try focusing him on a tool to let the owners know that he has to go outside like Poochie Bells. Dogs pick up on their use pretty quick and if you bring it along to new places and show him where it is as soon as he arrives he should use it to let his owners know he needs out.

Answer 5

It could be the rules are only enforced at the house and the grandparents' house. If he finds himself in an entirely different environment where nobody follows through on the rules, he'd naturally take advantage of it.

Answer 6

Sounds like the dog has figured out how to get attention.

Negative or positive, it doesn't matter....the dog is getting attention.

Answer 7

sometime, somehow,,, dogs have gone to the bathroom at that house and your dog can tell,,,, also,, he is getting older and i am assuming not neutered yet... you know the rest