| Questioner: | Janis |
| Category: | Dog Training |
| Private: | |
| Subject: | incomplete housebreaking |
| Question: | I know housebreaking is a typical question and I have read a lot of suggestions but most deal with young dogs. My Shih Tzu/Yorkie Laney is 3 years old. She was on the verge of being trained I thought, just the occasional accident, though now I know she was going at times/places I didn't realize. And, she seems to be getting worse. She will be sitting with me, hop down go around the furniture where I don't see her and potty. I don't think she has any idea that it is wrong. She just goes where/when she wants whether she has been outside or not. If she poops when we are in different rooms, she eats some of all of it. She is a sweet dog but I am going crazy. I know it is my fault and I obviously didn't do the training right. We did crate training and stopped when we thought (incorrectly) that she had it down. The crate is long gone and now if she is locked in any area without us, she cries and barks. |
| Answer: | Hello Janis, You are correct in that most suggestions on housebreaking deal with young dogs. The reason is that a three year old dog that is not housebroken is not suffering from a housebreaking problem. Laney is displaying unnatural, possibly neurotic behavior. Dogs have existed in harmony with humans for centuries in large part because it is unnatural for them to soil where they live. Small dogs are often treated like little humans. I would suspect that this is the problem with your relationship with your dog and why it is exhibiting this unnatural behavior. Read my article entitled "Training Tips" found on this site to establish yourself as your dog's leader. You are currently attempting to cure the symptom rather than the cause of the problem. Good Luck Sandy Finley |
