Help Me Stop My Dog from Peeing in the House

Buy a doggie crate and put him in it when you leave. He will soon learn it isn't fun living in a mess. Sometimes male dogs need to be neutered. That could help.

If he's not neutered, that's the 1st step! They will always mark their territory before that. Even when there aren't other pets around. Smaller dogs seem to be worse about it too! There are plenty of low cost clinics around, we just used the spca last week for a spay.Good luck!

You might try putting the dog in a kennel while you're away and at night while you're sleeping. I have 2 dogs -- one that is trained (he's 2) and the other that is in the process of training (she's 7 mo.'s). I highly recommend kennel training, because it definitely saves patience and the carpet! I keep both my dogs out around the house while I'm home, but kennel them while away and at night. (Actually, my older dog now has the freedom to roam the house at night because he no longer has accidents. He is still kenneled while away because he also has the tendency to chew on things when we're gone.) As they get more reliable and have more control, you can eventually let them be free to roam the house. Here's a good reference for crate training. http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/crate-train.pdf

Also make sure that the dog is getting plenty of exercise. A bored dog is more likely to do things that we human consider to be naughty!! Hope this helps!

Hi D., if you place the dog in a small area such as a bathroom, laundry room, or kennel while you are gone or too busy to watch him he will stop peeing. Dogs don't like to pee where they play or sleep so they keep small areas clean. Also, if he isn't neutured he probably isn't peeing, he is marking his teritory. He can be taught not to do this but it will take lots of patience and hopefully a few times of catching him in the process so you can correct him immediately.

The crate advice sounds like a good idea. I know that when we had a dog, the recommendation was also to clean the pee/poop spots with an enzyme cleaner so they won't detect their scent there. We used to get "Natures Miracle" at the pet store and it really did remove the smells. (Our dog also started out paper trained, and she never was the best with being housebroken. We crated her all of life, which worked great. We called it her "house" and she really got to love it.)

You need to cage train the dog. Place a pillow case (or old towel) in the cage, something that has owners smell on it. Everytine u leave the house, tell dog to "kennel up". If dog will not go-u place dog in there!
Eventualyy the dog will know not to pee in house. Reward dog when it potties outside. This is a surrounding change for dog-he needs to be re-trained.

Crate train him. Put him in the crate in the house. only let him out to go pee. Then let him out gradually with more freedom. He has to learn that the house is his home also. Not a big backyard to pee in. Dogs instinctively know not to pee where they sleep. So he should learn not to pee in the crate and that would help get him on a schedule for out of doors potty breaks. As he gets better, then you should be able to let him out a little at a time. Then if you find pee, rub his nose in it and put him back in the crate and start again. This is what should have been done when your son first brought him home. He should also sleep in the crate when no-one is able to watch him. And then take him out first thing in the morning. You may want to feed him in his crate also. My mom uses this method with her miniature collies. And when they go in their crates she gives them a dog treat. She also feeds them once a day. They feel very safe and secure in their crates. They come right in the back door and go straight to their crates. And their are no accidents in her house.
You can also google crate training for dogs and get more specifics. The crate is not used really as punishment but like their own little room, to eat and sleep, within the bigger house so they get the idea that is what happens inside. And by taking him outside immediately after leaving the crate, you teach him the proper place to do his business.
Good luck,
L.

Crate Train!!!! Anytime you leave or can not keep an eye on the little pooch, you need to put him in a crate. Our mini schnauzer did the exact same thing. So we used the crate, and it worked wonders. You need to buy one that is no bigger than he/she is. The dog will not use the bathroom where he or she lays. And as soon as you can let the dog out. Hope this helps, and I know how you feel, nothing is worse than walking into your own home and it smells like dog piss!!!

First, I have to say you're very sweet to take in your son and his dog! I know it can be frustrating trying to housetrain. I'm doing the same with my daughter's dog. Times are tough and we have to support our children!

If I understand you correctly, the main problem time is when you leave the house. The best and least stressful way, for you and for the dog, is to crate train him. A crate is NOT a punishment, and if it's used for one it will not work. But it is a really effective tool for housetraining a dog. It merely confines the dog to a small area where he will not go potty. (He doesn't want to soil where he's sitting!)

When you are getting ready to leave, take him out, make sure he goes and then put him in the crate with a toy. He needs something to do in there while you're gone. As soon as you return, go tell him how great he is and take him out again. If overnight is a problem, use it then too. Just NEVER use it for punishment.

Our little granddog is now crate free, because he came to understand that the house is not the place for that! And he is crate trained, so when we need to take him somewhere he's fine with it. He loves his crate. We leave the door open and he's in there napping during the day.

And a word about rubbing his nose in it. This does NOT work and is traumatizing for the dog. He doesn't understand why you would do this to him and will be sure he hides the wet spot very well! It will develop a lack of trust between you and the dog. If you don't catch him in the act, don't scold him. When a dog is disciplined it has to be immediate or he won't understand what the discipline is for. He just thinks you're being mean to him. Dogs are bright, but in a dog way, not a people way. They can't relate what you're doing now to something in the past. If you do catch him in the act, definitely immediately put him outside.

I know it's frustrating at times. I send you support and encouragement. And know it will work and then he'll be loveable, personable, fun, and house trained! And it won't take very long either!

Our dog used to be like that when we first got him. I never actually saw him pee, but I'd find yellow all over my baseboards. Since we didn't see him, punishing didn't seem to do any good. Honestly, getting him neutered was what finally did the trick. I guess that diminished his need to mark his territory.

Also, make sure when you clean it, you clean it really good. He can probably still smell where he did it and assumes that's an appropriate place to pee.

Well he's a smart dog (or has the potential to be) so that's a good thing. My first piece of advice would be to get a crate for him to stay in when he cannot be supervised. Rubbing his nose after the fact will do nothing but make him fear you. He doesn't put 2 and 2 together unfortuantely (he's a dog). At the very least, limit his access within the house until you can get him properly house trained. I noticed that the PetsMart on 35 and Round Grove (near the ToysRUs) has a potty training seminar for $15. Maybe you should check it out. They also have books and pamphlets there on house training. Good luck!!