What is the best way to housetrain an older puppy?

Question

I have an unaltered pit mix that has been having accidents in the house. He is approximately 8mos-1yr. He mostly pees in the house, although he has defecated once inside. It is not possible to neuter him currently, because he is a stray I found 4 days ago, and I am still in the process of finding his owner (although I believe he was abandoned). He pees inside even when we are home, but in the other room. And, he's even peed right in front of the storm door whilst looking outside! He has signaled to go out before by scratching on the door, so I really can't figure out why he doesn't do it all the time. Should I begin crate training him as if he were a young puppy? I just got him a crate, should I leave him in all the time until he's housebroken? Or should I do something different? I've never had to go through this with my other dog, she came pre-trained and she's fastidious with her pottying, and has never had an accident. HELP!

Answer 1

I think crate training as if it was a puppy is a good idea. The good news is he will learn quickly. Just be sure the crate is just big enough for him to stand in and turn around and don't leave bedding in there. You can give him a Kong or a Nylabone in there if you want to. No water or food while in there.
Don't leave him in there all the time, just while you can't supervise him during your training time. Be sure to clean the soiled areas immediately and with either a pet store solution with enzymes or distilled vinegar and warm water mixture poured over the spot and left to soak for five minutes followed by tamping up all the liquid with rags or paper towels. Then treat the area with Resolve Tough stain and repeat the tamping up. This will get rid of the scent of urine if this happened on carpet.
He should train easily and quickly since he is older. I'd say he'd be trained within days if you are consistent with the training and don't leave him in the crate for long periods of time other than overnight, and then only when you are about to go to bed.

Answer 2

Absolutely :) I could advocate getting a guide on puppies via Gina Spadafori, as she's an overly well writer who is enormously skilled with puppies. I've learn a guide of hers, and her coaching procedures are quality. Another advice I could make is looking Victoria Stilwell's coaching exhibit on Animal Planet, as her housetraining procedures are very priceless. Hope that is helping!

Answer 3

Decide if your keeping him first, because housetraining is a headache with any age dog and if you're not keeping him better not to bother! If you are, you'll need to crate-train him. Keep him in the crate whenever you're not around and overnight, then take him straight outside (to the same place every time) when you get up in the morning or arrive home.

Answer 4

HI I AM CAROL I AM WITH THE ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE, DCH AND THE CAT PROTECTION SOCIETY
DONT YOU DARE PUT THAT DOG IN TO A CRATE HOW BLOODY CRUEL CAN YOU BE, ISN'T THEIR SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE WHERE IS WARM YOU CAN PUT THE DOG PERHAPS WITH A BLANKET WHILST YOU LOOK FOR THE OWNER FIRSTLY, THEN IF YOU CANT FIND THE OWNER AND DECIDE TO KEEP THE DOG, TAKE TO VET HAVE IT DESEXED.
LETS DEAL WITH THE SMELL IN YOUR HOUSE YOU NEED PURE ALCOHOL TO GET RID OF THE ODOUR ONLY GOTTEN AT HOSPITASLS, DO YOU KNOW ANY ONE WHO WORKS AT A HOSPITAL WHO CAN GET YOU SOME IF NO,T GO TO FRANKLINS OR COLES AND BUY ISICOL IT IS IN A GREEN PLASTIC BOTTLE IT IS RUBBING ALCOHOL SQUEEZE IT OVER THE SMELL WHERE THE DOG HAS GONE TO THE TOILET INSIDE, YOU MUST GET RID OF THE SMELL OR THE DOG WILL KEEP GOING BACK TO DO ITS, WEE AND POO OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
THEN PUT NEWSPAPER WHERE YOU WANT THE DOG TO GO TO THE TOILET, YOU WILL HAVE TO BE PATIENT, DONT GIVE UP, THIS DOG MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TRAINED INSIDE, PRAISE IT WHEN IT USES THE PAPER DONT GET ANNOYED WITH THE DOG, THE POOR THING IS PROBABLY ALREADY STRESSED OUT FROM BEING PARTED FROM ITS OWNER, DONT ADD TO THAT, HAVE SOME LOVE AND COMPASSION, IMAGINE IF YOU WERE A LITTLE KID LOST BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IT IS LIKE FOR THE DOG.
RING THE WELFARE GROUPS AND GET SOME ADVICE FROM A VET ON THE PHONE, DONT DESPAIR.
GOOD LUCK DONT GIVE UP BE PATIENT.
BYE FOR NOW CAROL

Answer 5

He's peeing in the house simply because he not housetrained at all. Yes, crate him and treat him like he was a 2 month old puppy. Take him out frequently and don't let him out of your sight when he is loose inside. He is confused right now.

Answer 6

Crate training is your best bet. Just be aware that the older the dog, the longer it can take.

Answer 7

well with my dog , if my dog pottyied in the house i talk
ed to him with a stern voice and told him no and put him up in his cage for 30 mins. and at night i leave him in a cage that isnt soo big so that if he went to the potty he would have to sleep in it and no dog does that.... i hope i helped u out i tried to give u the best i could think of!!!! : )