housebreaking an older dog

[Guest Anonymous]

I have two dogs. The female is 10 years old, she has been here since she was a puppy We got the male about 2 years ago from a shelter. He was about 2 1/2 years old at the time. Both are fixed. The female is definately the dominant one. The male was housebroken when we got him, but is now wetting in the house all the time. I think he is just trying to mark his territory, because he is let out frequently, and has been tested for bladder infection by the vet. He had no sign of infection The problem only occurs while we are at home-not at night or while we are away. I have been told crate training may help, but Im not sure what to do.

[DogPaddle]

Crate training may help, maybe someone has another suggestion, but I don't.

If you want to crate train here is the standerd set of instructions however there are plenty of variations and I myself used a larger than normal crate and had no problem. Every dog is different.

1. Get a crate only larger enough so the dog can stand, turn around, or lie down.

2. Crate the dog whenever you are out.

3. When you are home the dog is not allowed out of your site - EVER. Crate if you can't watch, leash the dog to you if he is extra sneaky. This will lesson overtime.

4. Let the dog out to go after eating, sleeping, playing, sleeping or being confined while you were out. Leave do out to do his business for 5 min. If dog does not go, bring back inside and crate for 20 min then let back out again for 5 min. Repeat until dog goes while outside - Praise, Play, Treat and leave loose in house for 1-3 hours - under supervision, depending on dogs elimination periods. Repeat 5 min process.

5. Dog should not be in crate for longer than 8 hours in a stretch if at all possible and no longer than 12 hours total in a 12 hour period including when you and dog are sleeping if at all possible. Consider having someone come by to let the dog out for 20 min in the middle of your work day if this appears to be a problem.

6. If problem persists an even more regimented schedule can be used, pm me if you want more info.

This process worked to housetrain my Lab/Chow cross in around 3 weeks as a pup. Yours may take a bit longer. As the dog becomes more trustworthy he can be left to have more freedom in house etc. Use caution here because one accident does a lot of untraining. Good Luck!