Dog Training Advice

[bagofpucks]

Looking for some house training advice for our dog.

A little back story...he is a 4 year old Pekingese that we adopted from the Humane Society about a year and a half ago. We had some issues with house training at the start, but we booked it to him getting used to his new surroundings. It didn't take very long and he got it figured out and we were even able to teach him to ring a bell on the door when he wants out. We got to a point where accidents maybe happened once a week at most, but usually they were non-existent.

Fast forward to the last two weeks. He got into some floor scraps when we were visiting a relative's house and whenever this happens he gets a very sick stomach. This lead to many accidents. After not feeling so well for a couple of days, he would no longer eat his regular food. I found another type of food and he immediately scarfed it down, but of course his stomach was now not happy with the new food. More accidents occurred.

Now, his stomach seems to be completely back to normal with the new food, but he has gotten into the habit of constantly pooping on the floor. He goes in the exact same spot every single time when he has an accident. It doesn't matter if he is in the home by himself or if we are there with him. He spends a lot of time outside, so I really don't think that is an issue. In fact, there are times the little bugger rings the bell to go outside after he had an accident!

Anyways, just wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks to get him out of this habit. I have disciplined him when I caught him in the act and showed him the mess and said "no" but it doesn't seem to make a difference yet. One of my thoughts is that he likes spending time outside so much that he thinks that it is "his" space and prefers to do his business inside. Any other thoughts? I appreciate everyone's feedback!

[Cowperson]

WARNING: I'm not a dog trainer. So take below what its worth . . .

I'd reclaim that special spot your dog now owns. Some piece of impenetrable furniture or something that he can't get around or through or on top of.

I'd take him outside and exercise him until he did his business, then reward him. And do that several times in the day (might be hard if he's left at home while you work.)

Although he's outside a lot, how much exercise does he actually get. Like walks, etc.? Just curious.

Again, anything I say can be shot down by someone who knows what they're talking about.

But millions of dogs don't poop on the floor inside houses every day so this doesn't have to be complicated.

Cowperson

[normtwofinger]

Try feeding then walking immediately. Kinda like having a coffee, bran muffin then going for a jog.

[4X4]

Have you tried beating him?

[Rerun]

The secret is lots of praise and treats when he poops outside but when you catch him in the act doing it inside, scold him (but don't beat hime) and then put him in his kennel for a while. He'll soon learn that pooping outside is fun but doing it inside is bad.
Also thoroughly disinfect the area where he's been doing his business.

Use something like this...

[flamesfever]

I would talk to your vet. He may have some remedy or helpful suggestion.

Dogs are very routine oriented, and if you can establish when he is most likely to go, you can let him outside, or take him for a walk. And when he does go, give him lots of praise.

My lab goes either first thing in the morning, when he asks to go outside, or when we go for our daily walk at the offleash park.

My lab has only done it once inside, that I can recall, in 7 1/2 years...and that was when he was left alone for too long, and had no choice.

[jar_e]

Obviously as everyone else mentioned, talk to your vet.

But our vet usually recommends we put our dog on a white rice/ground beef diet when he's off. This is just easy to digest for them and still enough protein and such. Just enough for his system to reset if it is a stomach thing.

And for him going inside, it will require supervision, but it should be pretty obvious when your dog is about to go (ie. excessive sniffing, circling, etc.) so watch for that, force him outside, then praise him when he goes.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Rerun

The secret is lots of praise and treats when he poops outside but when you catch him in the act doing it inside, scold him (but don't beat hime) and then put him in his kennel for a while.

Pfft. You catch your dog pooping in the house and you simply scold him? Mine got scolded by my hand and voila, no more pooping in the house. I suppose 'beating' is the wrong word. You have to smack that f'r on the ass, and throw him outside and not let him in for a good half an hour. It only takes a couple of those and the dog will never poop in the house again.
And when I say smack, it's got to hurt but not injure. Pretty simple stuff. You don't need to buy any chemicals or anything like that. Save your money for a video baby monitor.

[Lobotroth]

I think a thorough disinfecting of the area should help (Rerun's Nature's Miracle suggestion is a good one) as well as the rewarding when he goes outside. If that fails, abandon the house

[bagofpucks]

Cowperson - he does get regular walks, once or twice a day. We also have a fair sized backyard so I play with him out there too. As a Peke, he just plain and simple is not very active. In very hot or very cold temperatures it is actually very dangerous for him to be too active (I know this is ridiculous, Peke's have zero survival skills). I do agree with your idea of keeping away from his "favorite spot."

Rerun - we use a similar product that was recommended to us by the pet store when we were just starting the house training process. It seems to work well, but I will see if there is a better product when I go to the store next.

He is on a pretty good routine, but our plan is to add a short walk right after he eats. We tested it out today, he ate, went for a walk, did his business, problem solved! However, less than 30 minutes later he made another mess on the floor, despite just going! The sheer number of times he has been going is crazy. Without going into too much detail, everything seems to be functioning "normally" so I guess we just have to continue working with him.

Thanks for everyone's advice so far. If he does continue to have this issue, I will take him to the vet just to make sure nothing is wrong with him medically.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

He is on a pretty good routine, but our plan is to add a short walk right after he eats. We tested it out today, he ate, went for a walk, did his business, problem solved! However, less than 30 minutes later he made another mess on the floor, despite just going! The sheer number of times he has been going is crazy. Without going into too much detail, everything seems to be functioning "normally" so I guess we just have to continue working with him.

Thanks for everyone's advice so far. If he does continue to have this issue, I will take him to the vet just to make sure nothing is wrong with him medically.

Sounds to me like it could be a number of things i.e. overeating /diet /bowel/ emotional etc. I think a trip to the vet is warranted.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Pfft. You catch your dog pooping in the house and you simply scold him? Mine got scolded by my hand and voila, no more pooping in the house. I suppose 'beating' is the wrong word. You have to smack that f'r on the ass, and throw him outside and not let him in for a good half an hour. It only takes a couple of those and the dog will never poop in the house again.
And when I say smack, it's got to hurt but not injure. Pretty simple stuff. You don't need to buy any chemicals or anything like that. Save your money for a video baby monitor.

I would be careful with over disciplining a dog. My son's dog crapped on his floor whenever he was over reprimanded, and they had to back off a bit so he would stop. I know it goes without saying but any discipline has to be offset with a lot of love. I think this applies especially to rescue dogs, who you have no idea what went on before you got them.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I would be careful with over disciplining a dog. My son's dog crapped on his floor whenever he was over reprimanded, and they had to back off a bit so he would stop. I know it goes without saying but any discipline has to be offset with a lot of love. I think this applies especially to rescue dogs, who you have no idea what went on before you got them.

Rescue dogs are the ones that need the hardest beatings. They wouldn't be rescue dogs if they were good dogs.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Rescue dogs are the ones that need the hardest beatings. They wouldn't be rescue dogs if they were good dogs.

When I go, I hope I don't come back as your dog.

[4X4]

That was a joke.

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by 4X4

That was a joke.

Hahaha good joke ~ dirtbag

[4X4]

Originally Posted by lucky1

Hahaha good joke ~ dirtbag

Relax, bud. I've got two happy, healthy rescue dogs that can attest to my non-dirtbaggedness. One of them is black and from LA, so you better back the f*** up 'fo you get smack the f*** up.
No, seriously, she was rescued from LA and brought here by Little Mutts Rescue. And she's black. But she wouldn't harm you, Sliver, or anyone else. My other one would. She's from the reserve.

[Nage Waza]

Research crate training. It is basically this: Get a crate just big enough for your dog, but not too big. The dog should just fit inside with the door closed. Feed the dog then put them right in the cage, don't make it negative, just gently put him in. When the dog whimpers, gently take him out and put him straight outside. If he pees/poos, he gets a treat and is aloud back in. If they just stare at you, straight back to the crate. Repeat until they don't need the crate anymore.
If the dog pees or craps in the crate, the crate is too big.
I am sure there are assorted tips and tricks, look them up.

[First Lady]

If you need a crate I have several small ones. I could lend you one.

[Red Slinger]

I think most of these have been mentioned already but in my experience these are the things that work:

1) Thoroughly disinfect the area that he is currently using. There is a scent there that he now associates with the deuce. Unless you completely eliminate it he'll keep coming back.

2) He has 'claimed' that spot as his. Be the alpha and take it back by not allowing him in that area unless you explicitly allow it. Don't over-alpha it though.

3) Start from scratch when it comes to training, ie. feed, wait a few minutes, go for a walk, praise when he does his business where he's supposed to. Rinse and repeat.

4) Be cautious about any sort of negative reaction when you catch him. A sharp word, or slap on the ass will work for some dogs but for others it has the opposite effect. Some dogs will use this as a tactic to get under your skin when you've pissed them off. That being said, if you catch him in the act it's probably best to let him know that he's a disgusing pig-dog and take him outside immediately.

5) When he does what you want make sure you give positive praise. If he is food oriented use his favorite treat a a reward, but only until he is well past the nasty habit. If he has a toy he particularly likes use that. Get him back in the habit of making a positive association with dumping it in the right spot. Positive reinforcement is much more powerful and effective than negative.

6) Make sure he gets enough exercise on a regular basis.

Good luck and happy crapping.