New dog is bad when I leave the house! Help!

[emc]

Because he isn't housebroken he really should be crated, so it would be worth your while if you can find a crate he can't break out of. To make being left alone not feel like such a bad experience give him a special treat that will keep him busy such as a kong toy stuffed with food. The special treat is something he gets only when he is left alone so that he will associate being by himself with something good.

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[catnapper]

Sticking a dog's nose in his mess will only make him harder to housebreak. It'll "teach" him that potty is bad.... not potty in the house is bad, but potty in general. So he'll never tell you he has to potty and he'll hide his pottying in other rooms. Some dogs manage to get potty trained despite having their nose rubbed in it, but many do not.

You've only had this dog a week. Bond with him before you go to great lengths of time figuring our why he does what he does. Yesterday's "test" might have simply frustrated him and he releaved his frustration by spraying. It could be that simple. My suggestion is to bond with him for a few weeks then try the test all over again. In the meantime, get a metal crate since he's already escaped through the plastic one. Return the plastic one to the store. Most pet stores will take it back (and I know Walmart will). Keep him crated when you're not able to watch him... in the shower, at night time, etc. Otherwise, make him go to whatever room you're in so that you can watch his habits and leanr what every muscle move means. Leave him alone for two minutes while you microwave a burrito can give him enough opportunity to wander into the bedroom and potty.

Basically, spend some time getting to know your new dog and him to know you. How a dog behaves their first month in a new house is NOT their true selves. Give him time to adjust. Give him time to recover from his neuter. Then try to fix his behavior (if there's any misbehavior after he settles in to his new life with his new family)