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View Full Version : Backsliding on housetraining? Help


lcmwest
30th August 2005, 07:27 PM
Scout is 7 mos. old. Two weeks ago, I would have said she is 98% housetrained. However, she seems to be having more "accidents" lately. She consistently has accidents in 3 rooms: a spare bedroom we use only for guests, our study which we are in daily for fairly short periods, and the bathroom on the main floor. She will defecate, so far we don't think she is urinating.
She goes to work with me 3-4 days a week, and is on a regular schedule. I do understand the importance of her schedule, however it seems that even a slight variance in her routine and she has an accident. Example: Today she was home alone for 6 hours, and had no accident at all. When I arrived home, I took her to the dog park and she went. She came home and had dinner (going to the park after work and then eating happens 3-4 times a week). She stayed outside with us in the backyard while we had dinner and was outside for about an hour after her meal. She usually goes about 15-30 minutes after dinner. Tonight, she did not, so I figured maybe since she went at the dog park, she didn't have to go. Well, it's 2.5 hours later and she decided to go in the bathroom again. In the past week, she has used the spare room and study 3-4 times. I should also mention that we have 3 cats who were here first, and I think there are probably some territorial issues around those 2 rooms upstairs. We leave those doors shut when she is upstairs, and when she isn't we gate the stairway. But, if she has gone recently, we don't shut the doors. Well, that's her window of opportunity and she has been using it lately. I know this is alot of information, but wanted to give enough background so you all could give me your pearls of wisdom. Help! Lynne

Solo_dog
30th August 2005, 08:00 PM
I'd keep those upstairs doors closed regardless if she's gone potty recently or not. Don't get discouraged, because 98% housetrained at 7 months is pretty good for a Frenchie! :) Of course, they're all individuals and will be housetrained on their own schedule. Just keep a closer eye on her, and someday soon you'll be able to relax and enjoy a 100% housetrained dog.
I don't have any experience on the "territory" issue, however, I don't think that it's related. I think she's just going potty in a nice, comfortable, private spot!

franp
31st August 2005, 03:24 AM
Sounds familiar to me..
Dari did this at about a year. And I was told to start crating her again. Or to tether her to me.

Your schedule and activities sound like tethering (attaching her leash to your belt) might work.You would know exactly what she is doing , Catch her in the act .

Dari figured things out REALLY quickly...

Seven months is young as well..

fran

lcmwest
31st August 2005, 06:13 PM
Fran- do you mean that when you started tethering Dari she stopped having accidents? Or did you catch her in the act? I don't think Scout would go in the house if I watched, I think she would go back to sneaking in her spots after I stopped tethering her.. I am willing to try that, do you have any more details?

franp
1st September 2005, 03:17 AM
I did not tether, but people I know did,

So, they would catch the dog as it would start to go and be able to issue a stern NO; take the dog outside to go and PRAISE.. The correct action quicky becomes habit. Well, quickly is relative with a frenchie..

This is not an overnight approach, but it is effective.And for the most part, the dog does not start peeing again in the house. Some people use this method for housebreaking..

ev960d
1st September 2005, 06:54 PM
Hi, I'm a new frenchie owner. Cola is a fine dog other than his recent pee behaviour that drives me :confused: . He is going 7 mths in another week's time. Very much like Scout, he was almost completely housetrained until last week. He started to show signs of backsliding. We live in an apartment so we gave him paper training. Now, he poos on the papers but he is very inconsistent with his pee. Sometimes, he will do it correctly and he will get his rewarding snack. Other times, he will pee just outside the bathroom which is near to the papers even though the papers are clean. :mad:

I wonder what's in his mind...help~~*sob sob*