New member needs advice

[Guest Anonymous]

I have recently adopted a bullboxer mix from my local animal shelter. She is wonderful. I am using the crate method to try to housebreak her.
I am having a little trouble. They think she is between 2-4 years old.
Here is our schedule
7am-Take out of kennel. Husband walks she wont potty
8:30am-I take her out she will poo & pee
9am-Kennel her so I can go to work
3pm-Take out of kennel. Husband walks she wont potty
4pm-Kennel her so Husband can pick up our son
between 4 & 5pm-She pees in her kennel
I get home and she will go potty for me all night
11pm Kennel her for the night no accidents.

Do you have any advise? Is there a reason she might potty better for me and not my husband? Also do you think her shelter experience may have made her more prone to kennel messes?

[imported_Kat]

Just work with her and use an associated word everytime she goes to the toilet (I use go hurry). With being in kennels where she was allowed to pee, she has to be retrained and by using a word and praising her when she goes, you will be on the right track.

Good luck :wink:

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks. Yesterday she managed to chew and break the tray that slides in and out of her kennel. Then she proceeded to chew a hole in my carpet. I'm starting to think she doesn't like the kennel or maybe it's her chew toys she doesn't like :wink:

[Doglistener]

Hi

It is unusual for a dog to mess in it's own bed as the mother teaches the pups that this is a big no no.. Sometimes it is because we are putting paper in the crate instead of covering the whole bottom with something like Vet Bed. i Or it could be your dog was seperated from it's mother and siblings at a very early age ie 4/4.5 weeks.

It is better to cover the crate with a blanketasn the dog will accept a dark cosy den better that a light open spaced one. put treats in the crate on a regular basis so when the dog goes in it finds them.

The following should help.

Establish Meal Periods

If you feed and water your dog on a schedule, your dog will eliminate on a schedule. free feeding and free watering your dog will make the job of house training much more difficult...First, establish meal periods. three to four meal periods for young puppies and a single or a double meal period for adult dogs. The meal period will last for 10 minutes. During that time give the required amount of food and as much water as the dog wants. At the end of the meal period, remove the food and water whether or not the dog has eaten, unless instructed otherwise by your veterinarian. If the dog plays and does not eat, he will soon learn that the food will be taken away. This also helps to discourage picky eating habits.

Place Your Dog on Commands

Many dog owners inadvertently teach their dogs to eliminate indoors. Each time they take their dog outside they wait for him to eliminate. As soon as he does, they bring him in. Most dogs, especially young ones, like the sights and smells of the outdoors. So they quickly learn that as soon as they eliminate, they are taken inside. They learn to hold it until they come inside to prolong the experience.
It makes better sense to train your dog to eliminate on command, especially if you must lead walk him. Take your dog to "his spot" each time. As your dog begins to urinate, choose a word and say it over and over as the behavior is occurring (I say "wee") do this each time your dog urinates. After several weeks of hearing "wee" as he urinates, it will eventually act as a trigger for the behavior. I use a different phrase for defecating. Each time your dog finishes, praise him while offering a food reinforcement (a treat). I use cheese or dried liver. When he has finished, take him for a walk as a reward! If your dog fails to eliminate in 5 minutes, take him inside crate him for a half-hour and then try again.

The Instructive Reprimand each time you take your dog outside say, "Outside". Soon he will learn what outside means Then, if the dog inappropriately urinates inside in your presence, say "Outside" and take him to "his spot". "Outside" becomes an instructive command because it directs the dog to the appropriate elimination place and it is a reprimand because of the tone of voice you use as the behavior is occurring, thus acting as a negative reinforcement.