Housebreaking

Help me, I have a sixteen-week old puppy that just won't learn to do his business outside! I am going nuts. He is costing me a fortune..having had my comforter dry-cleaned twice and constant cleaning of my carpet (with cleaners that cost a bundle) etc. etc. In fact, his latest "little" surprise was to cuddle up onto my stomach while I was reading a book....no sooner did I feel a sense of warmth on my stomach (and it wasn't his body heat!!!). My first Maltese was so easy to train. I took him out period ically....every two hours...after every meal....within a week or two, he got the picture and soon he was letting me know when he needed to do his business! I have had this new dog for nine weeks and I have been trying the same approach....the only connection he has made is to pee on the carpet within a few feet of the door....he doesn't let me know....and he goes when and wherever he feels like it (What a King!). I tried training him with Wee-Wee pads....no avail, just the ! Sound of rustling plastic as he plays with the pad on the carpet. He sleeps and stays in his crate (which is good)...my vet told me to leave him in his crate when I don't have that extra "eye" to watch out for him and take him out to pee as soon as I open the door to the crate. She told me that dogs are "den-animals, they don't mess in the place where they sleep"...well, guess what, Peanut ( or "The Nut" as I call him) pees and poops in his crate too! It's awfully pleasant to wake up to a dog who has been sitting in his own (well, I think you get the idea...however graphic it might be). I take him out before I go to sleep and he wakes me at SIX a.m. every morning like clockwork to be let out. Additional info: he's healthy, he hasn't been fixed and he eats and drinks like a horse (not like my other Maltese who eats less than a bird and is still able to survive!...but that's another story). If you can offer me any words of advice, encouragement, anything that will help me maintain my sanity...it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, ever so much...you haven't lived until you had a dog pee on your stomach !! -Paula A.

• You say that your dog is healthy, but it sounds like there may be something wrong with him. Either there is something wrong with him understanding his instincts (going and sleeping in it), or he possibly can't smell, or maybe even something more serious. If you have only taken him to one vet, try another. With problems that seem to not go away, a second oppinion is always a good idea. Good Luck!!

• My 10month old Maltese female has the same problem she pee and takes a dump on my couch when I am sleep. It is my fault for letting her have so much freedom. Sometimes if I tie her up in the kitchen she will also lie down on her paper which she may pee on, or pee on the paper and then try to push the paper and gets her whole face wet with her urine. The Vet said she has a serious behavior problem (mental) I have tried everything too. If you find any results to yours let me know. I am thinking about selling my dog. She needs too much attention I cannot give. Good Luck......-joi

• Tying up a dog either outside or to a certain room will definetly NOT help the animal emotionally. Not to mention that it could cause injury by hanging or wrapping the rope around a limb that would cut off circulation.

  Alot of people like you just don't realize the time, effort, and yes money a dog takes. Dogs are a lifetime commitment and TOO many people do not realize what all is involved in owning a dog. I would highly recommend contacting a rescue breed soon if you seriously want to get rid of the dog. The younger the better it is in correcting any damage that could of happened.

  If you want to keep the dog you would be very wise to get as many books as possible to read and enroll in obedience classes now! Please keep in mind what is BEST for the dog.

  P.S. You are correct in that YOU are at fault for giving the dog too much freedom and not being able to watch the dog more closely. Ever think that she is pushing the paper away from her because she is tied up and can not leave the area? She is trying to stay clean but can not!
  PUG

• Hi there....
  Well no I cannot say that I have experienced your peeing experience. :) I did have a baby throw-up down my cleavage though. I would not scold your dog for the fact that he goes on you or he goes by the back door on the carpet. HE IS ALMOST THERE!!! He just does not know how to give the correct signals that he has to go or you are not picking them up!! He came to you to tell you that he had to go.... he goes towards the back door but you do not see or he doesn't have much time. Physically it usually takes 4-5 months for a bladder to hold urine for any length of time. He is still VERY young. When he eats take him out, when he drinks take him out, when he wakes up take him out, when he is done playing take him out! Praise like you've just won the lottery when he does go outside!! "GOOD DOG!! GO POTTY HERE!!! You can only correct the dog if you catch him in the act NOT after or when you come home. He will soon associate your arrival with fear if you see a mess he has made and start yelling or hitting the poor dog. Just very calmly clean it up with a odor neuteralizer not deodorant! It must break down the enzymes for it to really work. Dogs can smell great and will usually go in the same spot because they can still smell it.

  As far as him going in his crate, he is still young and almost there don't give up hope! He goes at 6 a.m. like you said right? Keep his schedule consistant. Access to food and water at the same time. This will allow his body to get regulated.

  Another thing DO NOT compare your old maltese to this new pup! I certainly would never compare my two children. Every dog is different. Yes cleaners do cost money and so do vet bills, obedience training classes (which I reccomend) etc. This is something to be considered greatly when getting a dog. Get a different comforter!! I have the same costs like you but only times it by 4 dogs. I also have 4 times more love, devotion, and companionship than you. This is what I want and will care and clean up after them until they die!
  Pugish

• I sympathize with your dilemna, it sounds like a real drag. While I've never had a dog pee on my stomach, I have had cats pee in my arms or lap... my husband has had a toddler (our own) throw up into his mouth, while asking him if he was OK... YOU haven't lived until you've had (human) kids! I would look into Clicker Training for this problem; I've heard it is good for any age dog. There is a Clicker Training Email List you might consider subscribing to, to get more information. Email me for the specific address, if you wish. Also, there are a few web sites re: Clicker Training.

  While I don't have any clicker training experience myself yet, I have heard WONDERFUL things about it for all sorts of behaviors. I have just recently ordered my first book (A Dog and a Dolphin, by Karen Pryor) and clicker. You might try the last web site and email Karen directly. If you do decide to give your dog up, please contact a rescue; if you simply 'sell' him the new owner may be even less equipped to deal with the problem, potentially putting the dog's future at risk.
  Laurie B.

• Maltese are the most maintainence free dogs. They're easily housebroken maker sure you train them to go the same area by using the wee pads. remember to always reward and praise them for thier good behavior. Never punish them by hitting them. Leave alway plenty of fresh water.
  young jedra