House training the dog?

Sounds like your dog is unclear about what you want from him. Does he only mess inside the house at night, or at other times as well?

After Max eats, take him outside and wait until he goes to the bathroom. When he does, heap praise on him and reward him. Continue this behavior consistently (that's very important with dogs) and he will figure out the desired behavior.

 

I'm no animal trainer. I've got a doggie door on the first floor going down the steps, then I put another doggie door in the basement door to outside. After I showed him how to use them, he quit whizzing in the house. Now he just goes outside when he feels the urge by himself. (even walks himself lol, poor dog)

 

First off, how old is Max? If he is a puppy, you need a crate for him to sleep in at night, as dogs will not crap in the crate! When you wake up, take him outside to do his duty. As far as 8Snake's suggestion of letting him eat and then take him outside, that will not work, as the food needs to go through the digestive process, which could take a couple hours. Regarding your being annoyed with taking him outside and he does not 'go', you have to be patient. Dogs need to sniff things out and find 'Their' place to go and this does not happen just because you are taking him out to pinch a loaf! When I take Rigby out, she'll pop a #2 in three minutes and sometimes it take 20 minutes!

In my living room, I have a doggy door that goes outside to a little enclosed 'Puppy Poop Deck' that Rigby used until recently, in which the door is too small. At that time, all of us let her go outside until she did her business (About every 90 minutes for a #1 and 2-3 times a day for a #2. When she did a #1 or 2 in the house, she would get the 'BAD GIRL' (in which she gets that sad doggy look and rolls over in shame!), accompanied with a pat on the nose while listening to "POTTY OUTSIDE"! It got bad for a while. At that time, I put a wireless CAM in the living room that I could watch from my office. When she went to the living room and was about to mark the carpet, I'd run out, say "POTTY OUTSIDE" and take her out! Now, she is 100% housebroken and will 'hold it' until she goes outside. Sometimes she will sit at the door and when she does, I take her outside and associate her sitting at the door with "OUTSIDE POTTY"? and reward her with a little treat when she does her business.

As for your carpet, if it's not an area rug, the smell will stay there until you replace the pad under it. It sucks because it can get pricey to repair it. As for a cleaner, the VERY BEST Woolite's Pet + Oxygen stain and odor remover.

Hope the above helps. Just be patient and make sure you always associate the same commands with Max so he starts to 'get it'.

 

Take a look at some videos of 'dog whisperer', I'm sure you'll find something.

 

It's worked for every single dog that I've ever had.

 

Worked here, too.

I was told dogs instinctively like to "do their business" after they eat.

The other thing that made a big impact - although it was a lot of work and a pain the butt - watch the little guy like a hawk, and when he assumes the potty position indoors interrupt him before he gets going (or in the middle of going) and then pick him up and put him outside. And then wait until he does his job. Even if it takes 20 minutes. Then, when he does what you wanted him to do, praise him like he just bought you a new Ferrari. Eventually he will start going to the door when he needs to potty, but you still have to pay attention and really reward him when he does that. At first he will probably go to the door, wait a few seconds, then if you don't let him out right away go pee on the rug. But after enough times of rewarding him at the door he'll start to make some noise while waiting for you to come and let him out. Then he will be potty trained.

Most dogs will continue to have an occassional "accident" in the house. Sometimes you just gotta go!

Whatever you do don't hit the poor guy.

 

Well Wowzers for Bowzers! I wish Rigby was like that! OK, I take back what I had stated if that's the truth.

 

There's your problem (as you already know). If training isn't consistent, you're not going to get consistent results.

 

for the first year of my basset, got him as a puppy, he'd munch his food in a second. So, we'd feed him at 5pm and let him go outside from 830-930. Giving him plenty of time to do his business and play off the extra energy. Once he turned about a year old, he got away from the fast eating and began grazing throughout the day. We'd continue to let him out at the same time each day. Never had a problem afterwards. Once in a blue moon, there would be a pee spot, but that was if I slept in after 9am on my days off.

 

Why in the world would I make it up??????????????????????????

 

As peters asked - how old is Max? Do the crate thing to get him used of "holding it" through the night. Scolding while pointing at the pile & immediately going out works too. You really have to talk to them using key words like "out", etc. in association w/ the incident. They usually get the message.
I slept w/ all my puppies in the bed for the 1st few months w/ a leash on so when they tried to get off the bed I would know it. I've been told sleeping w/ your pup makes for a tight bond w/ your dog for life. Does a 20 pounder really push you around the bed? My German Shepherd nevered pushed me off the bed even when 80lbs. Just push back! Good luck.
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I was always under the impression that this technique was not effective, because the dog couldn't make the connection after the deed was done?

 

What he said:

+1,000 - *Awesome* post dude!

Only thing I'd add is please don't "rub his nose" in it - All you're gonna do is confuse the little guy.

Terriers are pretty smart, but you've gotta be the boss.
My 02c,
Good luck,
Cheers,
Ian

 

"Doing the crate thing" is going to be tough - On the "owners", not so much the dog IMHO - We know he's at least one, and has experienced some "bad" leadership recently. It can be done, but needs 100% attention if he's going to *love* his crate - If you go this route, *never* scold him into his crate - It must *always* be his safe hideout......

+1

 

I never said you did! I had two dogs and that seemed to be the norm. Same with a friends' Lab. Do dogs get constipated?

 

They are smarter than you think... You gotta work it. Use your hands to point, call them over to look at it, get in their face, explain it, then take them outside. They will learn to give you a sign they need to go out. Reward positive behavior. Be strong, & don’t let them make you the dog.

 

Darn cute dog! Looks just like my GS I had as a kid, awesome dog!

 

Porsche, my German Shepard, was the smartest, most sensitive, good natured dog I ever had. She always looked at me in eye like no other dog - yet no wolf ancestry conflicts w/ this powerful dog. Just trust. She was amazing. I totally see how dogs can lead the blind, serve as police officers in unbelievable circumstances, & search to find victims of disasters for only the praise of their master.
His master's voice. RCA.
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+1

My GS was "Dino" - Same deal. [As a tiny puppy he was rejected from the RAF 'cos he didn't like the noise of their planes.....] *Wonderful*, trusting, (and trustful) dog.

That's what I have now - A Rat Terrier [NOT, as commonly believed, a Jack Russell btw.] - Smarter than *any* dog I've had [A little too smart on occasion ]

Cheers,
Ian

 

Email this dude...he knows his stuff...BTW, your dog has no business sleeping on your bed, it's a dog not a human. Once it sleeps on your bed you are no longer alpha...no alpha = no respect.

http://www.slice.ca/Shows/AtTheEndOfMyLeash/QAndA.aspx?Title_ID=105200

 

This is the best book I've ever read for puppy or dog training. (Actually it is only a 40 page pamphlet).

We've raised a handful of dogs using these techniques and have been very happy with the results.

The book title is: "Super Puppy, How to Raise the Best Dog You'll Ever Have" by Peter Vollmer.
It was first written back in 1988.

Here is a link to buy the book on amazon - price is $8.95 I think:
http://www.amazon.com/SuperPuppy-Raise-Best-Youll-Ever/dp/1886056013

The techniques are very simple to try and they work great.