House Training Back Sliding

[Jespah]

Jemma is 14 months old now and I have had house training issues with her from the get go. She was 7 months when I got her and had been living in a kennel at the breeders, and would pee in there or in her backyard when put out to play. She hadn't spent a lot of time in a home.

I work all day and live in an apartment, so I had Riley and Rupert trained that when they go out they do their business. They get used to th eroutine and are fine. Riley had many accidents in the few weeks leading up to her death from the prednisone she was on and so when Jemma came, she could smell it and thought - great I can pee in the dining room. She did a few times - but she eventually got fine with things.

In the last couple of weeks she has gotten lazy and is peeing almost everyday when I'm at work - the carpet is now ruined and it's wall to wall and it has to go. I don't want to crate her as she is 14 months, but I'm going to put her in the kitchen - which is about 7 feet x 3 feet - so it's small.
My plan is to do this for four weeks and see how it goes.

For those who have had problems or successes, can you tell me if they learn that they are in there so they don't pee - is this the best way to go about re-training her? (I know that I have to get the carpet out and clean with enzyme cleaner so she won't pick up where she left off.)

[Dillydoodle]

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[Chip's Mom]

Oh the agony of housebreaking. We have had a problem with Dale peeing on the carpet in the bedroom. I sprayed it with Odor away and shampooed the carpet and he has peed on it three times again. If I remember to keep the door closed, he will go outside to do his business. We bought him a new sheepskin bed and he immediately peed on it but hasn't peed on it since. He is four months old today, and is doing really good other then that. When he was a tiny pup, he was used to blankets in his bed and I think that has a lot to do with it although, he doesn't pee on our bed. He always poos outside.

[tandemgal]

I am having a similar problem ... thought it was Chloe but have discovered it is Emma!

she seems to be drinking a lot more than usual too.... could it be a bladder infection causing Jemma and Emma's backsliding? and how can you tell if it is a bladder infection?

[Chip's Mom]

TGal - sounds like a vet check is in order. They have to check the urine

[disraeli]

Definitely, Bonnie! An increase in thirst plus urination could be a sign of a problem - only a vet can tell. Andy has been prone to UTIs.

Deb - I have had the same problems with Andy, due to her growing up at the breeder's. She has gotten better, but I still had to buy a carpet deep cleaner two weeks ago - if that tells you anything.

[Mvons]

Jespah thanks for the heads up. I will put Nature's Miracle on the carpet where Pepper had accidents. Luckily it is not wall to wall so easy to lift. But the cleaners don't always get that "attractive to other dogs" smell out. There is a good chance there isn't a smell because Pepper's urine was clear by the time she had accidents inside. But after reading your post, why take the chance on hindering house breaking.

Merrie

[Clogs]

Plain, white vinegar, diluted in a little water, might get rid of the wee-wee smell.
(Test it on an unobtrusive area of carpet first, though, in case it fades the colour.)
I wet the carpet area, then suck it out again by standing on a towel that has been placed over the wet area. Vinegar is one of those forgotten wonder thangs that our grandmas knew about.

[Dillydoodle]

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[Jespah]

Tana - I will warn you that the deep cleaner can make the problem worse. I have one as well - for several years. If you have blotted and tried to absorb as much of the accident as possible, and used an enzyme cleaner the deep cleaner will bring it all up to the surface and make it "fresh" again. Believe me I know - I've cleaned until my arms felt like they would fall off, only to see the spots there when the carpet dried! I wanted to cry - it seems like there isn't too many good solutions to this problem.

Jemma survived her first day yesterday in her new digs - the kitchen and did not tinkle - so I'll keep it up!

[Fluffypants]

Glad to hear you had one tinkle free day Deb! Hope it continues.

[Dillydoodle]

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