Housebreaking, Part 2

Common Problem Number One: My dog still goes to the bathroom in certain spots in the house. This may be caused by scent. Scent is an important part of the housetraining process and both removing and adding scent plays a part. First, understand that dogs can smell urine in carpeting and flooring long after you think the scent is gone. This will cause the dog to return to that spot to urinate again. To stop this from happening, clean all accidents with an enzymatic cleaner available at all pet stores. Follow the manufacturer instructions for cleaning the spot. If you have areas that were not properly cleaned, clean these old spots with an enzymatic cleaner before you even begin your plan or you'll be doomed to failure from the get-go.

The other part of the scent equation is adding the right scent to your home. Dogs don't see the house as four walls the way that we do. They understand the boundaries of the house because the pack scent is in it. If you have a sewing room, guest room, office or other little-used room in your house where your dog is going to the bathroom, it may be because he does not smell the pack in that room and, therefore, doesn't see it as part of the house. Dr. Patricia McConnell of Dog's Best Friend, Ltd. recommends sitting on the floor of that room with your dog for a few hours. Grab a book or the paper and spend a Saturday morning reading with your pack. You'll transfer the pack scent there and your dog will begin to understand that the room is part of the house.

Common Problem Number Two:
My puppy goes to the bathroom in the house right after coming in from the outside. There are generally two possible causes for this. If your puppy

was outside playing or exploring, he may have been so distracted that he didn't feel the urge to go until he came inside. You can solve this by making sure that you have a designated potty spot in the yard and that you allow your dog to play only after he has gone to the bathroom. Also, if you are following the program, you should have your puppy in his crate or with you in a room or on a leash when you come back inside, which should allow you to catch him in the act and scoot him outside to go.

The other possible cause for a puppy who goes in the house shortly after coming inside is that puppies often go once and then have to go again 15 or 20 minutes later. If he is going in the house after he "just went outside" he is not doing this out of spite! He's just a puppy. He should only be allowed free roam of the house for 30 minutes AFTER he has gone to the bathroom 2 times outside and you are sure he is empty!

Last but not least, I want to emphasize the management part of this again. You MUST manage your dog's behavior and movements in the house so that he cannot have an accident while you teach him to go outside. The house is a very logical and welcoming place for your pup to go. The carpet is absorbent and it seems all too natural to him to run into the guest bedroom and pee in there instead of going outside in the cold or, heaven forbid, the rain. So, remember, baby gates, crates, and leashes are your best friend for the next few months!

Cara Vacchiano is the owner of Buddy's Chance, a professional petsitting and dog training business in Austin, Texas.