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Originally Posted by Maximo  I strongly advise against rubbing the dog's nose in the spots. This kind of punishment is counterproductive and, in my opinion, will contribute to behavior and disposition problems.
Praising your dog for every correct potty will yield much better results. Never stop praising. Maybe include a small treat too (I use a single kibble). Let your dog know that you are ecstatically happy about each correct potty.
Give your dog structure and a schedule for eating, walks, playing, and training. Make sure your dog has adequate opportunity to potty outside.
You indicated that your dog is crated when you leave home. If you work or are gone for extended periods of time during the day, the dog should not be crated. Can you give your dog an xpen or small room (one with easy to clean flooring)?
Restricting freedom of movement within your home, especially when unsupervised, is good. However, having a little room to move around will make for a much happier dog with the potential for better potty habits. |
I'm from the same school of thought. Praise and an opportunity to do the right thing is far more effective. Keep your baby on a schedule and he will come to expect his outside times. Also, clean your floors with an enzyme cleaner if you haven't already. While conventional means might clean to our satisfaction, but our pups can still smell it. The enzymes really break stuff down and help eliminate odors.