He's not pouting because he feels guilty - he is anticipating your reaction - scolding. There's no use scolding your dog for having an accident. I'd say at 6 months we also had 1 per day - and 9 out of 10 times it was OUR fault for giving him too much freedom. Loki couldn't always hold it at that age - sometimes he'd squat right in front of us on the WAY to the door to be let out. Cut him a little slack.
It is OK to STARTLE your dog (we yelled NO! OUTSIDE!) and then grabbed him and ran outside with him, then praised him and gave him a treat when he finished outside. Having a leash on him helps and keep him in your sight.
We put up bells for Loki to tell us when he needed to go. He swats at it and someone lets him out. It works great! Maybe try that? He's fully trained but I still ask him sometimes, if it's been a while or whatever, and he'll run to the door if he needs to go and ignore me if he doesn't. He is at the point where I trust him to "tell" me. |