Greetings Dutch1129:
You don't seem to be doing anything wrong, it just may be that you
need to adjust your timing when scolding your dog for the messes.
You stated "He still urinates in the house at least twice a week and
usually in
the same two places- on the bathroom door or the garbage can. It is a
problem. He seems to know he is doing something wrong. All we have
to do is see the wet spot and call his name. He immediately looks the
other way, hangs his head down, and backs up for his crate. I do not
know why he is having this problem. Our dog will be getting fixed in
three weeks, I thought this might help."
If you are not stopping him *as* he is urinating then he cannot
effectively learn the correct his behavior. The only appropriate time
to correct him is when you catch him *in the act* because even though
dogs are very smart, they live in the moment. I don't think he's
reacting to having urinated when you show it to him, he's simply
reacting to being scolded. The tone of voice. So, he cowers. When
you see him do it, speak a quick and sharp "No," scoop him up and take
him outside. Set him down and then praise him for finishing his job
outside in the proper manner. You must catch him in the act to
properly break him of the habit.
You already know that crating is a very effective housebreaking
method. One of the reasons is because a pup won't soil his own
territory so he normally won't soil his crate unless he is actually
sick. In the chapter on housebreaking in the book "Good Owners, Great
Dogs," author and dog expert Brian Kilcommons offers this on page 56
(the book is in my library):
"Pup has favorite indoor spot
"Pups often choose out-of-the-way places to mess. He figures, "Hey,
no one else is using this spot. I guess it'll make a great bathroom."
Likely targets are dining rooms, formal living rooms, the guestroom.
First, clean the spot with an odor neutralizer [My note: never with
ammonia as that is present in urine and will re-attract the dog] and
then spend time there. Read the paper or write a letter in the area
with your dog on leash with you. Feed him there. Spending time in
this location is not a punishment; it is informing the dog that this
area is now a part of his turf. Few dogs want to dirty where they
have to spend time."
So, basically, you would need to sit near the bathroom door and near
the garbage can and spend time there with him on a leash. Make him
sit nearest the spot where he urinates. You'll need to do this a few
times but he will come to know that you and he occupy that space and
he'll naturally avoid messing there.
Of course, there are no guarantees but I would suggest that any time
you find an accident in the house, you don't say a word to the dog.
If he comes near you as you are cleaning it up, ignore him completely.
Dogs are very social creatures and they do not like being ignored.
After cleaning up, sit near the spot. Be receptive if he approaches
and lead him to another room and play with him or put him on your lap
and read or take him outside. The praising you are already doing when
he messes outside is a very good thing.
I highly recommend Kilcommons book for understanding the canine mind
and for educating me on the most effective ways to train my Sheltie,
Indy. One excellent thing (among so many) that I learned from his
book was the following, posted by me as a comment on the question "out
of control dog!" answered by Tspeigel-ga at
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=214780:
"...he explains that a dog understands three tones: a whine, a bark
and a growl. He said that when speaking to your dog, bark your
commands, don't whine them, or the dog thinks you're playing.
"Let's say you want the dog to come to you. You state in a firm, flat
tone "Come." You don't allow "sweet tones" into your command like
those you assosiate with "Oh, he's such a good boy! Good dog!" You
keep all commands non-emotional and firm. Kilcommons said that dogs
associate with tone so your playful statements can be "whiny" but your
commands need to be "barked". Then, to let your dog know when you are
displeased, you "growl" your words...As Kilcommons is fond of
reminding his readers, you have to train the
owner first."
**************
Kilcommons also notes that puppies need 1 cup of water per day for
every 8 pounds of body weight. "A cup to a 10-pound pup is like 15
cups to a 150-pound man. That man would have to go!" he wrote. "If
your pup is thirsty and it is not time for water, offer him one or two
ice cubes, which will quench his thirst without overloading his
system."
I don't know if you free-water him or not but, if you do, you may
consider stopping that for awhile. When you set out the water,
observe him drinking and then take him outside.
Kilcommons states that "out of sight is into trouble" and he suggests
keeping the pup on a leash while *inside* the house. "Close
supervision is the key."
Should you require clarification of any of the information I've
provided, please request it and I will be happy to respond.
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"Good Owners, Great Dogs" by Brian Kilcommons [personal copy] |
