Housebreaking puppy, FAIL!?

Question

So, we got a puppy a while back, like the end of July. He's currently about 5 months old, and we thought we had housebroken him. He's only inside at night, when it storms, or sometimes, when we want him in. The majority of the time, he's outside. The other day we finished puppy proofing one room in our house, so he could stay there when it rains without him having to be in his kennel or have someone be with him. This room he was very familiar with, and knew not to go to the bathroom i nthere, and never does when we're with him. But we left him in there, and he peed and pooped all over the room. It seems like he knows it's wrong, if I sneak downstairs, I can see him running around, but the minute I come into sight he quickly lays down and acts like he's being good. I don't know how to treat this behavior, we've done stuff such as putting his face near/almost in his feces when he goes in there, and even tried to catch him secretly. Nothing seems to work. Everytime hes alone he goes to the bathroom.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

NEVER punish a dog for pottying in the house. PERIOD. All you are doing is teaching him how to hide it and be sneakier about it. He is not going in the house because he doesn't know better, he's doing it because of anxiety. NO GD, or GD mix should be left outside the majority of the day. PERIOD. They are not outdoor dogs, irregardless of weather being nice enough. These are dogs the not only want but NEED to be with their people. Not locked up in a dog room away from the family or out in the yard. I already answered your other question, but reading this one, made it clear that this dog may not be the right one for you. I'm sorry if that offends...but based on the info you've given, the way he's been punished for being anxious, instead of you working with him, spending time with him, finding out what causes his issues and dealing with them, tells me all I need to know. Had you done any research whatsoever on the other half of your dog (the GD) you would have realized the following:

They are prone to separation anxiety.
They NEED to be indoors, with the family. If you can't provide the right atmosphere for this dog, please do the right thing and re home him to someone who understands his needs and will do what needs to be done to alleviate his fears.

TK · Answer

Well, I have a method for housetraining that works very well, but it assumes the dog is part of the family.  You do a lot to separate this puppy from the family.  I'll give you the method anyway, but I'm sure how you can adapt it to leaving the puppy outside so much.  
Schedule-Confine-Supervise
Schedule- the feeding and potty times.  An adult is fed twice a day.  A puppy is fed four times a day up to 10 or 12 weeks, then three times a day through adolescence.  They need to potty first thing in the morning, last thing at night, within a few minutes of every meal, and every few hours in between.  The “in between” hours are calculated by their age in months: 1 month = 1 hour, up to 6 months/hours.  So, a three month old puppy should be taken to potty every three hours in between the other scheduled times.  When the dog/puppy is taken to potty, wait with him as he ‘does his business’ and then praise like crazy.  The neighbors should be able to hear you.   

Confine- the puppy or dog whenever it is not being watched.  Confinement can be in a crate (especially at night), an exercise pen, or behind a baby gate in a very small and puppy-proofed room.  					

Supervise- the puppy or dog whenever it is loose in the home.  This means having eyes on it, not on the TV.  Play with the puppy, do a five minute training session, groom it, or just let it lie at your feet with a safe chew, but have it within sight at all times.  If it squats then give a loud “NO” or “ACK” as you scoop and run to the appropriate potty spot.  

Do not let the dog return to the accident spot until it has been thoroughly cleaned and wiped with vinegar or a commercial enzyme product to remove all urine odor.

Lady of the Woods · Answer

You have to think of it like this, when you have to go to the bathroom you have to go, you wouldnt want to put your childs nose in a pee puddle just because they couldnt hold it right? Same applies to the pup. I agree with the above poster, you have to schedule the feedings and water, take your pup out after the feeding to make sure they dont have any fluids to let loose into the house. Also the crate is a wonderful thing. it gives a sense of a home for the pup, their own space. Also, you cant leave a puppy unattended, they get bored very quick. I have 2 black lab puppies who are sisters (thanks for the prayers, lol)  they were a lot to deal with at first, but now they are the best friends and well behaved. You have to be persistant and keep a strict routine in order for them to learn. Good luck

? · Answer

Puppy pads don't paintings, they simply confuse!! Are you making use of a crate to position her in whilst you're asleep or can't watch her each and every transfer? I'm sorry to notify you, however it takes longer than four weeks to condo holiday a dog!! Give it extra time, she's going to trap on!!

Anonymous · Answer

A puppy needs to be with people.  Why have one if he's not welcome in the house except at night?  He has no clue how to act in a room of a house because he doesn't even live in that house.  He doesn't know it's wrong.  He's a baby.

Brittney · Answer

A new puppy should always be with you and supervised.
Try crate training when you are not with your puppy ( no longer than 3 hours at a time please, unless its just overnight) as soon as you take your puppy out of the crate take him potty.

You will be amazed at the temperament and behavior changes you will see in your puppy after crate training!

ladystang · Answer

sorry puppies need to live in house with family
it takes work to house train them
take to trainer and learn how to train or rehome and get a stuffed animal

Anonymous · Answer

Puppies should always be supervised, even always supervised when outside, and crated inside when no one can supervise. Google crate training.

Housebreaking puppy, FAIL!?

8 Answers