Housebreaking Issues on Carpet

M

mavendark

Forums Regular
I guess posting here is probably the most suitable area; I guess my 1 year old Sheltie is still considered a "puppy". :P

Ever since we've had Tybalt as a puppy (from 12wks old and on), he's had an incredibly hard time "getting it". It was incredibly hard to get him to not pee on the carpet but we finally got him to successfully go outside to pee even from our 2nd floor carpeted location. (He would just pee on the spot in the carpet instead of going down the stairs and waiting by the door to be let out.)

One big issue we continuously have is his anxiety to pee or poo at anywhere that is not the house. He will rarely pee/poo on his walks and if we went out on a day trip and took him somewhere (like to the beach) he would hold it in for a good long time until we got home to pee. Is there anyway we can ease this anxiety?

The second big issue that has resurfaced is his need to pee on the carpet. He just got out of a big surgery for his legs and I'm bringing him to work every single day to monitor him. Unfortunately our workplace just moved to a place where it is carpeted everywhere. So after months of not having an accident, yesterday, he straight up peed twice in my office (the first day after moving in). Before, in the old hardwood floor office, he would neither pee on the hardwood or pee outside in the patio, he would just hold it in all day. At the new office now, I have started crating him again. But sometimes I work upwards of 10 hours per day, and since I can take him out on walks during the workday, I'd love for him to utilize that time to pee. I have tried the housebreaking sprays, also tried bringing parts of the dirt from where he peed at home at to the new locations. Nothing works. He just stands there, distracted by the environment, and nothing happens. Anybody else have this issue and how do you solve it?

Also, Tybalt is not very food motivated, people motivated, affection motivated or toy motivated. The only foods that will motivate him are human food like cheese and steak (which needs refrigeration) and it is hard for me to bust out these kinds of treats on the spot when he pees... especially at remote locations or in long trips. Any advice?:razz:
 
Sounds to me you've got a dog that's confused about where he is allowed to toilet. That's actually a common problem for young dogs and has popped up on the forum many times.

Dogs don't generalise, so they don't think - I can pee on grass in my own yard therefore I can pee on grass anywhere. Especially as no one else in the family seems to pee anywhere but your home territory. You actually need to teach them. The best way to do this is by example; when you are out let your dog watch other dogs peeing and be really enthusiastic about it. Let him sniff the pee and make positive noises. Even better if you know any other male dogs you can walk with so he can learn marking from them. There are also a few other options you can use - take some of his poop (or pee if you can) with you outside and drop it somewhere for him to sniff, or let him see you pee outside (it does work but obviously you'll need to do this somewhere private). And when he does pee outside, lots of cheering and big rewards (doesn't have to be food, can be pats or play), just let him know you're happy about it.

I think your second problem will probably clear up once he works out where he can pee.
 
Have you tried using a crate when the dog is indoors, and taking him out on schedule and on lead to eliminate? Send him here, I am the potty Nazi. (just ask Lily!)

PS - thoroughly clean up accidents on carpet with an enzymatic cleaner! Great advice above from Cubby's Mom.
c36lear+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (Flyers, first contribution from standing on laptop keys... my baby!)
 
I have had an issue with my boy as well...:gaah

I started a thread on it under Behavior...Help - Please advise...

Anyway, recommendations...
I'd go back to potty training 101... let him out constantly, if he doesn't go, back in the crate or belly band him. Also, get really excited when he goes... GOOD BOY!! and treat!

It has helped tremendously... no accidents since I have taken this advice.

Good luck....:biggrin2:
 
Thank you for all your advice.

I've actually tried a majority of the tactics above, haha. Pretty much everything except squatting and peeing in front of him outside. I do have another dog who pees perfectly fine on command anywhere, and Tybalt has watched him do so numerous times. But he does not follow suit. I've also brought Tybalt over to the dirt patch where my other dog pees constantly (in the office) and Tybalt also does not get it.

As of now, in the office, I'm just keeping him crated and letting him out every couple of hours or so. But he hasn't peed outside yet. He just held it for 9-10 hours until we got home. :(

I will persevere... and if worst comes to worst I will pee outside in front of him. But it is an office environment, I will have to ask my friend to block me :lol:
 
Try putting a little low sodium chicken broth in his water and have him really tank up and drink alot, then continue with taking him out on intervals with crating in between, sooner or later, nature is going to take its course! (hopefully, outside and on leash)
 
I like the chicken broth method, may have to do that if it gets bad.

In the last week or so, he actually had a great improvement and was able to pee 3 times outside (on 3 separate days)! Of course I made a HUGE deal about it and rewarded him plentifully. So I'm glad he's improving. Hopefully it continues getting better!

In terms of the bladder infection thing, I haven't gotten it checked by the vet, because he can pee perfectly fine (on command) at home in the yard.
 
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