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Originally Posted by Toby's Human Dollar will get this sooner or later....Trust me!
... Even if you don't want to use puppy pads when he does get trained, I would give him a designated place to go, until he learns how to let you know that he has to go potty. Eventually you can move the pad closer to the door and then finally take them away for good.
When you take him outside say "go potty" or "go peepee", whatever words you want to use with him. Have 2 separate commands for each 'deed'. He will eventually learn these commands and go when you tell him. You have to be persistant and let him out about every hour or so and especially after eating and exersize of any kind. And remember to PraIse!! When he goes outside act like he ended world hunger, or something. Don't just say good boy, say, "Good job Dollar, that's a good boy, go potty outside, good boy!!!" and then REPEAT!
I would also suggest hanging bells from your door handle. ... Every time we take Toby out we make him ring the bell by putting his paws on the bells. When he does this we praise and say good boy Toby outside, outside, outside, (to teach him what outside means) then open the door and let him out. Always take him out that door.
The best thing to do is ignore bad behavior, and not punish him for going inside, I know this is hard, but don't even yell at him. It doesn't seem to be doing any good, because now he is trained to hide and go where you cannot see him. Just clean it up, and go on. ... |
Very good advice!!!
Toni,
A few things that you need to realize:
First, you gotta be patient! A couple of months is not a long time for these little guys to be housebroken.
Second, you may have to stay outside with Dollar for more than 5 minutes at the time. Take him out very often and especially take him out when you know he needs to go - when he wakes up, when he's just been playing vigorously, etc. Then stay out there until he goes. Praise lavishly as above and give a high value treat (like a small piece of cheese of meat).
Can you let him off leash? As SnowWa said, he may be objecting to going on the leash. It also might be helpful to place a piece of his poop outside for him to smell when he goes out. Dogs often stimulate themselves to go by smelling excrement - their own or another dog's.
Also, as Ashley said above, you need to give Dollar a way to tell you that he needs to go - a bell has also worked wonderfully for us; others teach their dogs to bark or scratch on the back door.
Last, and most important: Dollar is NOT a bad dog. Dollar also doesn't know that he's "bad" when he potties inside. He hides to avoid punishment. If he knew how to please you, he would. You need to completely ignore inappropriate pottying; all you're doing is teaching him that it's not safe to potty in front of you.
Good luck!