Toilet Training Backwards

[Yoshi&Kaiser]

Can anyone help me. I have a 15 week old male staffy who I think I have somehow managed to train to go to the toilet in the house rather than outside I did the newspaper trick except now he seems to hang on and wait to come inside to go on the newspaper. I tried putting the newspaper outside so now he comes in and wees on his bedding. He is very quick as well and I always put him straight outside but its not helping. I have a older staffy that is toilet trained and I swear she looks at me in disgust everytime he does it. Im hoping that he might learn off her but does anyone have anymore tricks? They are outside during the day and locked in the laundry at night.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Poor puppy is a bit confused. Here's the method I've used for around 40 foster dogs at my place (spaced over several years!!!), I also pass this on to anyone having probs - you can start this at any age.

HOUSETRAINING TIPS

Ok - first thing to do is decide on the command (I call it “do wees”) you will repeat over and over. You have to really focus on the dog for about 2-3 days to be successful. You have a pocketful of special treats on hand all the time for the first 2-3 days.

Walk the dog several times a day and every time the dog wees, you get very excited and keep saying “Good boy/girl, do wees, do wees” – give the dog treats every time.

First thing in the morning, last thing at night and every time you see the dog eat or drink (both precursors to weeing) whisk the dog into the garden and repeat the command “do wees”. Get very excited and present treats every time dog goes.

The dog’s aim in life is to please you. If the dog should have an accident inside the house – say NOTHING at all. The dog soon gets the idea that when he/she goes outside you are really, really pleased and he/she gets rewarded.

NB: Please note that the smell of urine must be properly removed for any housetraining to be successful. There are products on the market such as “Urine Off” but they are very expensive. A mix of white vinegar and water is a much cheaper alternative and should work for tiles and other surfaces although you should always take care with wood etc. For carpet/rugs, I use either a mixture of Napisan/water or bicarb of soda and water. I completely soak the stain using a dab on technique with a cloth. When it is very wet, I use an old towel to soak up the excess moisture. Again, be careful on any expensive carpet/rug, I have never had any problems but I cannot guarantee any method here.

[Gwinganna]

I'm in the same boat. So have a look at the thread "housebreaking going down hill - I think I stuffed up - good tips in there too.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I should also say that in one particular case - a 1 yr old female very abused dog that was probably locked in somewhere like a shed or something for most of her young life, it did take me 2 months to finally turn the corner. I actually thought it would never happen but I just kept following the method described above - great patience was required. One of the other techniques I added in which I think really helped in the end, was to wait until one of my female dogs was going and I took the young girl and put her face close to what was happening so she could tell what they were doing when I was asking them to "do wees", this was after a month of trying the method alone and not having success. She was not awfully bright unfortunately, I generally foster terrier types and they are so smart!

[Yoshi&Kaiser]

Thanks for the tips Dogmad. Our first little girl was text book. This one has been more difficult! Ill perservere!

[Prydenjoy]

NB: Please note that the smell of urine must be properly removed for any housetraining to be successful. There are products on the market such as “Urine Off” but they are very expensive. A mix of white vinegar and water is a much cheaper alternative and should work for tiles and other surfaces although you should always take care with wood etc. For carpet/rugs, I use either a mixture of Napisan/water or bicarb of soda and water. I completely soak the stain using a dab on technique with a cloth. When it is very wet, I use an old towel to soak up the excess moisture. Again, be careful on any expensive carpet/rug, I have never had any problems but I cannot guarantee any method here.

What about that Orange Power carpet cleaner? Would that one be ok?

[BenjiMom]

Your not alone, I just found another poo on the carpet, if benji keeps doing it, he will be put downstairs, it's all enclosed etc so warm. I take him outside so much, and I always say 'good boy' when he does wee or poo. I have to wait for him anyway, cause if i come back inside, he follows me and doesnt do anything. He can hold on all nite now also, so why wont he hold on til i take him downstairs?? I take him downstairs bout every 1 1/2 hours, and yes, i've lost weight going up and down the 14 stairs lol

Not happy