Going inside

[angelchampy]

Hi Everyone:

I finally got to talk to the owner. This dog is a 4 month old Cairn Terrier (I think I spelled that right). He's had him since a pup. Bought him in a pet store. He also has another dog - a female Siberian Husky about 2 years old. When I heard this, I thought maybe the terrier is being territorial. I don't know if they would be territorial at such a young age but it's possible I guess. They keep the terrier in a crate when not home. Some days of the week they have somebody come to let them both out. He put him in a smaller crate b/c somebody said that's the best way. I don't know about that. He said the dog went in his crate anyway and he was told they don't usually do that b/c that's their place they sleep. I've always heard that too but when a dog's gotta go, a dog's gotta go. Don't forget, the poor little thing is in there when they are working - which could be up to 9 hours a day. He walks them first thing in the morning, (sometimes) middle of the day and when he gets home and at night. The dog used to go by the door and show him he has to go but doesn't anymore. The terrier may poop outside but the minute he gets in, he pees. That's why I thought maybe territory. When he was under the couch one time, the owner tried to reach for him to get him out and he bit him. My first thought is he was probably scared and was being dragged out. You know you only get one side of the story - and it's the owner's side. They also have 2 kids. One 11 and one 2. So, that's what I got so far. If anyone has any advice, please let me know. Thanks a bunch.

[Pogiebate]

I may not be a trainer but I have house broken several dogs with no problems.

This is how I do it...

Keep the dog in the crate. (but make sure he gets play time too!).
Take pup out on a leash. Wait him out even if it takes 30 mins. If he don't go, don't yell or punnish the dog. Just put him back into his crate, wait 10 mins and take him out again. If he still won't go just keep doing this. It may take a while but he will go. Once he does go praise him tons and tons and play with him. Like said above.
Also when outside tell them "Do not let him wander around. Keep him on a short leash and just stand in one place. Other wise he will just explore as much as they let him.

After he goes they can keep him tied to themselves so they can make sure there are no accidents.


As for the crate use a small one(depending on the size of the pup), they can't have a lot of room or they will go in it.
They may just have to retrain him from the start.
I hope I helped Like I said I'm no professional but thats how I housebreak pups and older dogs.

I wonder if the owners are yelling at him for peeing on the floor and scaring him? Thats what it sounds like to me. Of course I don't know the whole story, but it's odd that he hides under the couch and bites at the owner when he/she reaches for him.

[angelchampy]

I wonder about the owners myself. I don't know them personally, but unfortunately, you only get their side of the story. I wish dogs could talk.

Thank you for the advice. I'll pass it on. One question though - I've heard both things about crates - some say it should be small, some say larger for them to move around. If a dog is in it almost 8 hours a day (which in my opinion is too long), shouldn't it be a bigger crate? Will the small crate for that many hours stunt it's growth?

[Karen]

The crate should be large enough for the dog to stand, and to turn around, but not so large that it can see one side as "okay to pee" and one side as not. Does that make sense?

[angelchampy]

Absolutely. Thank you Karen. And thank you all for your help. I'll pass this on and hopefully, things will work out. I'll keep you posted.