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Super Dog, click me!Back to the training home page and menuSuper Dog, click me!
Problems answered, Toilet training.
E-mail received at dog fun on 30/12/00.

Hi Jade,
I need some help. I have a five month old great dane called Saifa. She refuses to hold on to go to the toilet - yes, both wees and poohs. We have a dedicated area outside for her to toilet on, and if you let her out she will use it virtually every time - so she does know where to go. Obviously she has to learn that it is not acceptable to do it inside. I have trained two other dogs very successfully.
I have tried everything I know and I am now at the point where I have to
consider help from other people.
Can you help?

Ian

Jade's reply.

Thank you for your E-mail. You have a messy problem on your hands. Don't panic though as I am sure that you will be able to overcome this given time. I can give you some suggestions as to how to combat this, I hope that they help.

Firstly make sure if possible that you let your dog out very regularly whilst you try to combat this problem, every hour or so at first during the evening or the day, when ever you are around. Always take it out after every meal, and every nap. Just as we get more and more inclined to stay in during this time of year it is possible that you dog is feeling the same way and being slightly lazy about this. Why go out in the cold and dark if you can get away with going to toilet inside? Also if it goes out regularly then there should be nothing left to do inside and, you will be getting it into the routine that outside is the place for going to the toilet. Tell it to go to toilet or for a wee etc. but make sure that you watch it to confirm that it has gone. This might take time at first with you both staring at each other but once your dog gets into the habit it should be OK. If you see your dog go to toilet praise it, make a fuss and possibly give it a treat. Make sure that your dog knows that you are pleased that it has been outside.

As you said your dog knows were to go out side so this should be a routine that you can get into quite easily, but this also raises another point. If your dog does go in the house you must make great efforts not just to clean it up but also to remove/cover up, any scent that might have been left and may only be noticeable to your dog (don't use ammonia based products to clean as this will smell like urine). If you do not get rid of this scent then your dog will be reminded that it has been in the house before and that this is an acceptable toilet area. Also watch your dog's body language, if it starts to pace or circle etc. get it out quickly and praise it when it makes it outside.

If your dog does have an accident inside and you did not witeness it DO NOT punish your dog. If you missed the act its self it is too late, you will only upset your dog and confuse it. If you actually catch your dog in the act then you have an opportunity to act. The best thing to do is use a plastic plant water spray and give it a squirt of water or bang two trays together creating a loud noise (in both cases you are best not to let your dog know that the noise or water came from you as this will not have the best effect, get someone else to bang the trays or conceal the water spray) . The dog will associate the unpleasant experience with what it is doing and will go somewhere quieter or dryer next time, i.e. outside were it gets a treat after it has been. This as I say must only be done if you actually catch it in the act.
Have a go with this approach and see if it helps.


Good luck to you and your dog, all the best, Jade the Doberman

Please note that if you feel that this could be caused by a medical problem with your dog consult your VET

Super dog training tip sent in by Steve Jenkins on 11/1/2001.

Hi there Dog fun, I recently came across your website and read the part dealing with toilet training. As a professional dog behaviourist, I have found over the years, that the best way to clean a soiled area is to use BIOLOGICAL washing powder. The enzymes in it break down ALL the deposits and leaves the area clean and fresh - and your dog will not return to that area again. Good luck with your great website. Yours sincerely Steve Jenkins


As with the rest of Dog Fun we are only offering advice, we have learned a lot through our own experience and would like to further that knowledge with your help. If you have any good tips or advice that would help dog owners drop us a line to jade@dogfun.co.uk and we will display your advice and give you credit for your help!

 
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