How can I finally house train my dog?
Written by on Friday, October 3, 2008 – 2:52 pm -I have a ten month old Weimaraner who is about to drive me crazy. Incase you don't know anything about them, Weims are very high strung dogs that need a lot of exercise. This is fine with me though, we run every day and he seems very happy. The thing that drives me nuts is that I can't get him completely housebroken. When I am home and awake, he is fine, but when I am not home, or if I am asleep, he goes on the floor (thank goodness it is at least on the linoleum of the kitchen). I can't put him in a kennel because he will go in the kennel and lay in it, which I know is very unusual, but he does it, so then I have two messes to clean, him and the kennel. I have raised several other dogs and I have never had this problem. Does anyone have any ideas? I have had him tested for infections and he is fine. I am at a loss…
I have encountered this same problem with a young Boston Terrier. I went through a lot of trouble to get her trained, but with some consistency, it was accomplished–here is how I did it: First, she was kept in a kennel ONLY large enough for her to move in comfortably, and not moving freely. Make sure there is a cover over the kennel on 3 sides (use a blanket, sheet, etc.). This makes the kennel appear as though it is a natural den for the dog–they will always "hold it." in their den–but it must feel like a den to them, so the cover is essential for this to work. Remove your dog directly from the kennel and take him to the the door, and use a "key word" for him to associate with, and make sure they are walking there, do not carry him. There will still be mistakes from time to time, but I have noticed that the turning point was using the cover on an otherwise open cage kennel. Good luck and if you have any other questions feel free to contact me–I have done extensive studying on this and dog behavior.
Posted in weimaraner training | 6 Comments »
By raticals.com on Aug 29, 2007 | Reply
10 Months old is still young.
He should still be in his crate until he's totally house broken.
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By oovstar650 on Aug 29, 2007 | Reply
You answered yourself, they are very high strung, just keep with it. You can try taking him out just before bedtime and just before you leave, always treat him if he goes, never if he doesn't. Then always take him out first thing in the morning and the first thing when you get home, treat him same way. Remember never treat a dog if he doesn't do what is expected, this confuses him. Use different treats for going outside as well, if you give him the same treat for rolling over as you do for going outside it can confuse him, Plus, if he goes inside and you don't know it, then he runs to you and plays or something, until you give him a treat, then he thinks he gets a treat for going inside as well.
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By butterflychampain on Aug 29, 2007 | Reply
confine him to a room and cover the floor when ever you can't watch him…..take him out offten and make a HUGE deal EVERYTIME he goes where he is suppost to….
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By Dotis on Aug 29, 2007 | Reply
Thats tough-maybe a large outdoor kennel with a dog house to sleep in as a last resort, but have you tried all the methods of housebreaking-the positive reinforcement, a stern NO when he uses the floor and then straight outside where you tell him gently to go here instead? Treats after a successful trip outside, and consistancy all help.
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experience
By ryan_scott_thomas on Aug 29, 2007 | Reply
I have encountered this same problem with a young Boston Terrier. I went through a lot of trouble to get her trained, but with some consistency, it was accomplished–here is how I did it: First, she was kept in a kennel ONLY large enough for her to move in comfortably, and not moving freely. Make sure there is a cover over the kennel on 3 sides (use a blanket, sheet, etc.). This makes the kennel appear as though it is a natural den for the dog–they will always "hold it." in their den–but it must feel like a den to them, so the cover is essential for this to work. Remove your dog directly from the kennel and take him to the the door, and use a "key word" for him to associate with, and make sure they are walking there, do not carry him. There will still be mistakes from time to time, but I have noticed that the turning point was using the cover on an otherwise open cage kennel. Good luck and if you have any other questions feel free to contact me–I have done extensive studying on this and dog behavior.
References :
By Kal-El on Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
Hi I have a Weim that is 3 months old. We are having a problem with him, cause he doesn’t want to be by himself. Crys and Crys were he drives my husband crazy. We are starting to leave him out side while we are out of the house. Per my neighbors all he does is cry till we get home. How can we train him to relax in the backyard in his dog house? Any words of advice.