Can an old dog really learn new tricks?

Question

Ok, maybe she isnt so old, one, but I adopted the greatest dog, but she is still defecating inside, on occasion. For the most part, she goes on her own on the patio,which is fine, but when its shut, she doesnt indicate if she has to go, she just does, on the rug. Also, I usually wipe it up with cleaner, will this stain? There is still a hint of it, but I am going to rent a rug cleaner. Thanks

Answer 1

you will just have to watch for her "signs" of needing to go. Put her outside after she eats (about 15 min. after) and make sure that she does both outside.. after she does PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE!! give her a treat.. She will soon catch on that this is the right thing to do... if you ever come into the room and you see that she had pooped on the floor do not scold her because it would be too late.. You can only "scold her" if you see her doing it in the act.. If you do catch her clap your hands really hard and say NO at the same time then put her outside... clean the mess and then bring her back in but do NOt give her a treat. But I would seriously think about using Nature's Miracles for future stains and to go ahead and rent a rug doctor for the stains that you have! =) I hope this was helpful and remember it will take some time and patience!! And congrats on your new family member!
Oh one more thing make sure that you only feed her in the morning and at night (times that you are home so that you can take her outside after she eats).. and if you arent able to watch her every move for the next few weeks think about putting her in a crate or hook a leash up to her and hold onto it so she cant go in another room without you knowing, this will help to insure that she doesnt potty anywhere!

Answer 2

Of course, she can still be taught to do things she hasn't done in the past. If you clean the spots where she goes potty with a very thorough cleaner, so she can't smell her scent she won't keep going in the same place. Her messes probably will not stain-the rug doctor has a chemical additive or liquid wash for pet stains you can use.

Answer 3

If u have to go to the the store and buy puppy mat pee trainers or teach her to ring a bell or somthing when she has to go. and just to tell when she has to go watch her habits before she goes on the rug and that will give u an idea of when she really has to go. and a carpet cleaner would be good. or what else is good is urine gone. that works good!

Answer 4

Are you talking about your husband? I have the same problem with my husband too. Chances are you're not going to be able to do anything about it. Oh one thing works, try giving your husband a beer and he may respond to that or keep it away from him so he'll obey you. GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

Yes, of course. My dog is 5 years old and he learned SMILE! Thats when he shows his teeth but doesn't growl. Hes happy.

Answer 6

not sure how to get her to let you know she has to go. but as for the stains, i think they sell stuff at the pet store specifically for that. good luck. :)

Answer 7

yes & a new dog can learn old tricks

Answer 8

ya. thats simply a saying

Answer 9

Many adult dogs adopted from animal shelters were housetrained in their previous homes. While at the shelter, however, they may not have gotten enough opportunities to eliminate outside, and consequently, they may have soiled their kennel areas. This tends to weaken their housetraining habits. Additionally, scents and odors from other pets in the new home may stimulate some initial urine marking. Remember that you and your new dog need some time to learn each other's signals and routines. Even if he was housetrained in his previous home, if you don't recognize his "bathroom" signal, you might miss his request to go out, causing him to eliminate indoors.

Therefore, for the first few weeks after you bring him home, you should assume your new dog isn't housetrained and start from scratch. If he was housetrained in his previous home, the re-training process should progress quickly. The process will be much smoother if you take steps to prevent accidents and remind him where he's supposed to eliminate.

Establish A Routine
Take your dog out at the same times every day. For example, first thing in the morning when he wakes up, when you arrive home from work, and before you go to bed.
Praise your dog lavishly every time he eliminates outdoors. You can even give him a treat. You must praise him and give him a treat immediately after he's finished and not wait until after he comes back inside the house. This step is vital, because rewarding your dog for eliminating outdoors is the only way he'll know that's what you want him to do.
Choose a location not too far from the door to be the bathroom spot. Always take your dog, on leash, directly to the bathroom spot. Take him for a walk or play with him only after he's eliminated. If you clean up an accident in the house, leave the soiled rags or paper towels in the bathroom spot. The smell will help your dog recognize the area as the place where he's supposed to eliminate.
While your dog is eliminating, use a word or phrase like "go potty," for example, that you can eventually use before he eliminates to remind him of what he's supposed to be doing.
Feeding your dog on a set schedule, once or twice a day, will help make his elimination more regular.
Supervise, Supervise, Supervise
Don't give your dog an opportunity to soil in the house. He should be watched at all times when he's indoors. You can tether him to you with a six-foot leash, or use baby gates, to keep him in the room where you are. Watch for signs that he needs to eliminate, like sniffing around or circling. If you see these signs, immediately take him outside, on a leash, to his bathroom spot. If he eliminates, praise him lavishly and reward him with a treat.
Confinement
When you're unable to watch your dog at all times, he should be confined to an area small enough that he won't want to eliminate there. It should be just big enough for him to comfortably stand, lie down and turn around in. This could be a portion of a bathroom or laundry room blocked off with boxes or baby gates. Or you may want to crate train your dog and use the crate to confine him (see our handout: "Crate Training Your Dog"). If he has spent several hours in confinement, when you let him out, take him directly to his bathroom spot and praise him when he eliminates.

Oops!
Most dogs, at some point, will have an accident in the house. You should expect this, as it's a normal part of your dog's adjustment to his new home.

If you catch your dog in the act of eliminating in the house, do something to interrupt him like making a startling noise (don't scare him). Immediately take him to his bathroom spot, praise him, and give him a treat if he finishes eliminating there.
Don't punish your dog for eliminating in the house. If you find a soiled area, it's too late to administer a correction. Do nothing but clean it up. Rubbing your dog's nose in it, taking him to the spot and scolding him, or any other type of punishment, will only make him afraid of you or afraid to eliminate in your presence. Animals don't understand punishment after the fact, even if it's only seconds later. Punishment will do more harm than good.
Cleaning the soiled area is very important because dogs are highly motivated to continue soiling in areas that smell like urine or feces (see our handout: "Successful Cleaning to Remove Pet Odors and Stains").
Other Types Of House-Soiling Problems
If you've consistently followed the housetraining procedures and your dog continues to eliminate in the house, there may be another reason for his behavior.

Medical Problems: House soiling can often be caused by physical problems such as a urinary tract infection or a parasite infection. Check with your veterinarian to rule out any possibility of disease or illness.
Submissive/Excitement Urination: Some dogs, especially young ones, temporarily lose control of their bladders when they become excited or feel threatened. This usually occurs during greetings, intense play or when they're about to be punished (see our handout: "Submissive and Excitement Urination").
Territorial Urine-Marking: Dogs sometimes deposit urine or feces, usually in small amounts, to scent-mark their territory. Both male and female dogs do this, and it most often occurs when they believe their territory has been invaded (see our handout: "Territorial Marking Behavior in Dogs and Cats").
Separation Anxiety. Dogs that become anxious when they're left alone may house soil as a result. Usually, there are other symptoms, such as destructive behavior or vocalization (see our handout: "Separation Anxiety").
Fears Or Phobias. When animals become frightened, they may lose control of their bladder and/or bowels. If your dog is afraid of loud noises, such as thunderstorms or fireworks, he may house soil when he's exposed to these sounds (see our handout: "Helping Your Dog Overcome the Fear of Thunder and Other Startling Noises").