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Housebreaking my Pom

Posted September 8th, 2007 by barrie001
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My Pom, Louie, is just over a year old. He knows he is supposed to "go" outside, but if we don't notice that he is "signaling" to go out, he will go in the house. Additionally, he will go in his crate. I must add that I got him from a pet store (he was a gift), and wonder if being kenneled so much is what is contributing to his going in his crate. He is crated whenever we are out of the house, but I work close enough that I can come home at lunchtime and let all dogs out. Even so, Louie will usually wet his crate during the afternoon. Anyone have any advice?

Comments

Crate size is important

Aidan's picture
On September 10th, 2007 Aidan says:

Crate size is important, the crate should be just large enough for Louie to stand up and turn around in. As horrible as this sounds, if he soils the crate he should not be able to get away from the mess. This is what keeps them holding on.

Unfortunately, some pups raised in poor conditions do learn to accept being in their own mess. That makes them many times harder to house-train.

However, it sounds like you're actually doing a pretty good job. More supervision is required, always have him somewhere that you can supervise while you are home. Use tethers or baby gates to facilitate this.

If you can arrange a friend, neighbour, dog-sitter or dog walker to come over during the afternoon until he is properly house-trained it will make things a bit easier too. The idea here being to avoid that mid-afternoon accident.

When you feel that he is reasonably well house-trained, there is a plan in The Positive Petzine Collection for teaching Louie to ring a bell when he wants to go outside to potty. I'm not sure, but this plan might also be found at clickertraining.com.

Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com

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