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deonk1 · 04-16-2011, 11:59 AM

You may want to try and confine him a bit more. Or what about putting a litter station upstairs and one downstairs. I used to have two in our apartment, until Harley got really reliable. I did this because some dogs don't like to pee and poo in the same spot, so maybe your little one likes to poo there, and thus needs a new place to pee.

Also seeing there is no description of how you're "scolding" here is my definition of a proper "scold", maybe it can help... Cause Harley I've discovered does react well to positive training but sometimes he needs a bit of time out.

So when he had accidents, I would pick him up immediately, say in a loud deep voice "no" a few times, while dashing to his crate (he was a NASCAR pee-er so I never caught him mid stream, if you do place them on the right toilet and praise), and lock him in his crate with no food, no water, no blankets, no toys, for about 1-5 minutes (this would depend on if he was quiet when he got there, or if he jumped around and cried to come out). Then let him out when he is laying quietly (at that time you cannot hold any grudges, they don't remember what they did wrong by then)... It doesn't take long to teach these guys, so time outs do not have to be long. I also used a similar approach for our recent barking problem, and after 4 time outs I now say "no barking" and he lays down nicely.

Also when he had a poop relapse in his training I would make an effort to work near his toilet (it's near my desk) so that I could catch him in the act, and praise him like there is no tomorrow for catching him doing it right... I found this really solidified his training.

Another key thing to remember, is dogs remember better with multiple little repetitions rather than one big rep. So spending 3 days near their potty area, and praising for every proper pee, is more effective than one big punishment or one big praise.

Lastly I would definitely have a professional come in and thoroughly clean the stairs, the bad thing about carpet is it is really hard to get the smell out so that they can't smell it any more.

Hope this was helpful. Potty training these guys can be tough and most small dogs are never 100%

04-16-2011, 11:59 AM	#7
deonk1 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 1,795	You may want to try and confine him a bit more. Or what about putting a litter station upstairs and one downstairs. I used to have two in our apartment, until Harley got really reliable. I did this because some dogs don't like to pee and poo in the same spot, so maybe your little one likes to poo there, and thus needs a new place to pee. Also seeing there is no description of how you're "scolding" here is my definition of a proper "scold", maybe it can help... Cause Harley I've discovered does react well to positive training but sometimes he needs a bit of time out. So when he had accidents, I would pick him up immediately, say in a loud deep voice "no" a few times, while dashing to his crate (he was a NASCAR pee-er so I never caught him mid stream, if you do place them on the right toilet and praise), and lock him in his crate with no food, no water, no blankets, no toys, for about 1-5 minutes (this would depend on if he was quiet when he got there, or if he jumped around and cried to come out). Then let him out when he is laying quietly (at that time you cannot hold any grudges, they don't remember what they did wrong by then)... It doesn't take long to teach these guys, so time outs do not have to be long. I also used a similar approach for our recent barking problem, and after 4 time outs I now say "no barking" and he lays down nicely. Also when he had a poop relapse in his training I would make an effort to work near his toilet (it's near my desk) so that I could catch him in the act, and praise him like there is no tomorrow for catching him doing it right... I found this really solidified his training. Another key thing to remember, is dogs remember better with multiple little repetitions rather than one big rep. So spending 3 days near their potty area, and praising for every proper pee, is more effective than one big punishment or one big praise. Lastly I would definitely have a professional come in and thoroughly clean the stairs, the bad thing about carpet is it is really hard to get the smell out so that they can't smell it any more. Hope this was helpful. Potty training these guys can be tough and most small dogs are never 100% __________________ Kendra Harley, you were the light in my life, rest peacefully my love!