dog-potty-training

On Nov 3, 2007 3:17 AM,

My dog Chloe is a bit of a special case. I bought her at a pet store where she was in a glass walled cage that couldn't have been more than 2 ft by 2 ft. When I asked about her they told me that she was 1 yr old and had been in the store since she was 8 weeks.

I knew Chloe was going to have some potty issues being as she was being made to eat, sleep, and potty all in the same spot for her whole life. She wasn't going to be like a normal dog who won't poop where she eats because that little cage was all she knew. I thought with some patience and training, that she would get it eventually. Boy was I wrong!

First off, I am home all day, so the dogs are being taken out minimum of every hour on the hour or more. I watch Chloe like a hawk to make sure she isn't circling or sniffing like she's about to "go" inside. She has been caught NUMEROUS times in the act of "going" in the house at which point I clap my hands loudly, say a firm "NO" and immediately direct her outside. She still just doesn't get it! She will squat or poop right in front of our face! Tonight, I was standing at the back door to let the dogs out - the door was wide open and I was calling her to come outside with the rest of the pack and right in front of my face, she squatted and peed. I have had people tell me to crate her, but I don't think that will help being as she is used to eating and sleeping and peeing in an area the size of a crate. I am at my wits end with her. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do?? I am sooooo frustrated!

Hello,

I can certainly appreciate your frustration.

First, you didn't mention how long you've had Chloe. If you've had her for less than two months, then my suggestion would be to have more patience. As you realize, Chloe has had
a rough life.

If you've had her two months or more and she still isn't getting it, then you need to increase the intensity of your corrections. Instead of clapping your hands and saying "NO", you should
keep her leashed with a prong collar and correct her firmly with a snap of the collar to her neck while saying "NO". Be sure that you only correct when you actually catch her in the act. It
is important that she make the association of a bite on the neck with her soiling inside.Also teach her a command like "get busy!" for going outside. When she does go outside, praise her
lavishly. You must make it abundantly clear that going outside is associated with praise and going inside is associated with unpleasantness. Eventually she will choose the rewarding behavior
and Chloe will be potty trained.

Finally, you should look for venues where you can submit customer reviews of the pet shop where you purchased Chloe. Perhaps with enough complaints being made public about their treatment
of puppies, you can help cause the owner to stop torturing animals.

For further information on potty training your dog read this article.

Good Luck!

Sandy