Toilet Training Issue

[smthshrn9]

I have a 4 year old maltese x shitzu girl. She was very hard to toilet train from the very beginning yet she is extremely bright. When I finally did get her toilet trained I would still find little surprises around the house every other day. I thought maybe it was because her scent was still in the carpet so I tried a few things to eliminate that without success. When I moved house just recently not only did I have to replace all the carpets in the old house but I have now tried to ban her from going on any carpet in the new house. I also hoped that the new house will not have her scent so hopefully she will finally be ok.

No such luck! She's starting to pee on the carpet area in the living room as I can't block that area off from her. The problem has always been she either does it when I'm not home or in the middle of the night when I'm in bed so I can't catch her in the act. I've tried yelling, smacking, rubbing her nose in it and putting her on her own out in the backyard but nothing seems to work! And she knows what she's doing wrong because every time she does it and I even look in the direction of where she's peed she goes running out the backyard before I even have to say anything to her.

She is very immature for her age as she's never grown up and still acts like a puppy.

I am at my wits end with her as I can't afford to keep replacing carpet. Does anyone have any ideas for me I can try as myself, my family and my friends are all at a loss as to what to do.

I appreciate any advice given and would like to thank you all in advance

[corvus]

Well, she doesn't know she is doing something wrong. Most likely she is just responding to your behaviour, which is worrying to her.

Have you tried taking her out and rewarding her for going in the right place? My dogs have a cue to toilet "water the grass" and when they do it on cue they get a treat. The best thing is it has got Erik scratching at the door to be let out so I can give him treats.

In the meantime, crate her or otherwise confine her at night so she can't urinate on the carpet. During the day is there somewhere you can put her where it won't matter if she wees?

She goes when you aren't around so you can't shout at her and frighten her. Seriously, you will do a lot better rewarding her for going in the right place. Getting it on cue is so helpful. Go back to basics and go out with her so you can use the cue when she goes and give her a reward. You may have to hide so she doesn't hold it in because you're around.

[luvsdogs]

I have a 4 year old maltese x shitzu girl. She was very hard to toilet train from the very beginning yet she is extremely bright. When I finally did get her toilet trained I would still find little surprises around the house every other day. I thought maybe it was because her scent was still in the carpet so I tried a few things to eliminate that without success. When I moved house just recently not only did I have to replace all the carpets in the old house but I have now tried to ban her from going on any carpet in the new house. I also hoped that the new house will not have her scent so hopefully she will finally be ok.

No such luck! She's starting to pee on the carpet area in the living room as I can't block that area off from her. The problem has always been she either does it when I'm not home or in the middle of the night when I'm in bed so I can't catch her in the act. I've tried yelling, smacking, rubbing her nose in it and putting her on her own out in the backyard but nothing seems to work! And she knows what she's doing wrong because every time she does it and I even look in the direction of where she's peed she goes running out the backyard before I even have to say anything to her.

She is very immature for her age as she's never grown up and still acts like a puppy.

I am at my wits end with her as I can't afford to keep replacing carpet. Does anyone have any ideas for me I can try as myself, my family and my friends are all at a loss as to what to do.

I appreciate any advice given and would like to thank you all in advance

Here in lies your problem. Like corvus said you have to go back to basics. Don't let her have access to the whole house until the problem is solved, as you would with a new puppy. Take her outside after eating/drinking, sleeping, playing & wait with her until she goes, reward with treats & praise & put it on cue. It's your body language that has her running outside, not the fact that she 'knows' she's done wrong. I would not be letting her roam free in the house at night, use a crate if you can't contain her in the laundry or bathroom or some other small room with easy to clean floors.

Edited May 28, 2010 by luvsdogs

[smthshrn9]

Thanks guys for your advice. I shall go back to basics and see how I go with that.

I shall let you know how I get on.

Thanks again