Quote:
Originally Posted by Nancy1999  One of the most important things in potty training is cleaning up any mistakes. You need to use an enzyme cleaner to do this, as it has special enzymes that actually "eat" the protein found in urine. If your house reeks of urine, you have not been doing this. The protein is what causes the smell and if there is even a slight odor the dog will return to the spot, that's how pee pads work, dogs are compelled to return to the spot where there is an odor. Even a protein odor from food dropped, can cause a dog to go on that spot. There are black lights you can buy, and you might be surprised at all the spots in your house that are visible to the naked eye, or even the human nose, but a dog can smell them.
To the OP, this site has some good advice on potty training. I don't think you can expect 100% tell you are closer to 1 year, but it sounds like you have given your dog too much freedom. Free House Training for Puppies and Adult Dogs - No More Accidents Starting Today! |
This is an update on my 12 yo. I kept her afterall but ended up finding her a good home just 3 days ago. We did move and I brought her along. She surprised me and did well here, at least as best as she could. As it turns out and after many trips to the vet, I found out that she was having an issue that was causing her to pee the way she was peeing. She had a UTI twice! Her health began to deteriorate and after having tried to give the vets in my area chance after chance to fix her so that I could keep her and we could all be happy again, they failed us both. Miserably!! I spent all that I had to get her help. I've been unemployed for almost 5 months now and there's no one hiring anywhere near me. Living on a measly unemployment check to pay it all. Savannah needed health care. She was going out and doing her business and I would praise her and give her treats and it became a game to her. She knew if she went out and even dribbled she'd go in and get a treat. But I'd find dribbles in the floor and the towel in her box soaked. Her urine reeked of cat urine. The vet told me she had a high ph in her urine and that was it!!!! She had also developed a cough that the vet told me not to worry about! Yes! they were horrible people!!!!!! You go looking for answers and these are the answers you get!!!! Right now she is with an older lady that has nothing but time, money and patience. I am immensely heartbroken, having cried for the last 3 days virtually non-stop. I miss her more than I ever imagined I would. I've said this before but I've never had an animal test me to the limits she tested me. In the end tho, I did all that I could to help her and keep her with me. She was a very loving part of our family and was worth all that I endured. I will always, always miss her!!!