How to teach an old dog a new trick?
 

I'm at my wit's end right about now.

Tallulah is six years old, and I admit that before I wasn't always good about letting her out, but I've been trying to change MY habits because I know I'm the biggest part of the problem.

We live with a roommate and Tallulah has started peeing on her clothes when my roommate's door is open. Most of the time, my roommate leaves her door closed, but this really isn't fair to her, she shouldn't have to do that.

I've been trying to let the dog out more often, been trying to watch her habits and better about letting her out (she now goes outside every three hours whether she has to go or not).

It broke my heart this morning to hear my roommate look at my dog and say "I really don't like you anymore."

I can't afford to live on my own, I can't give my dog back to my mother and I desperately need to fix this problem.

I have puppy pads stationed in a few places around the house, which are things she knows how to use (and does). I let her out every three hours and I'm trying to train her to tap a bell when she needs to go outside. I treat her when she's done her business.

How do I fix this problem? I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

After a quick google search, I guess this is a marking behavior? It's impossible to catch her in the act because the bedroom isn't typically inhabited when she goes (we usually sit in the living room). How do I curb it if I can't catch her in the act of what she's doing? I know it's useless to get angry when the damage is done (something my roommate fundamentally misunderstands).

This is so tiring...

Personally, I would revert back to crate training. It will be easier on you, your baby and your roommate. As time passes, you will need the crate less and less.

This may sound weird but I would buy a black light and go over your apartment with it to see if she is also peeing and or marking in other places. You want to find out the extent of the problem.


If she is only peeing in your roommates room, I would cleanse your roommates room with a enzymatic cleanser. Then it will be *your* responsibility to either have your dog crated and or tethered to you when your roommate is home and you are not sure her door is open or not.


I might try to walk her on lead through your roommates room to see her response and immediately correct her if she starts to mark or pee. As you say you can't correct behaviour you have not seen done, so you are in this case setting her up to see if she will misbehave.


Also your roommates clothes that have been peed on should be soaked in vinegar and water, and then washed.....