April 21, 2011
My 6-month-old has started going to the bathroom by the backdoor, sometimes right in from of me. Am I wrong to think my dog was housebroken?
Full Question:
Hello,Your website is fantastic and full of so much information. I have many of your DVDs and have looked through many articles. You must be very busy but I was hoping you could help me with what seems like a very simple problem. I have a 6 month old mix and have had him since 12 weeks. He has been crate trained and has no problem going to the bathroom outside on command. In the past 3 weeks he has suddenly been going (once or twice a week) to the bathroom by the back door which he goes out, but with no warning and sometimes right in front of me. Am I wrong to think that my dog was housebroken because he did not have an accident in 3 months or can housebreaking take longer and he is not yet "fully" housebroken? I keep him in his crate when I cannot watch him or have attached to me by leash. Thank you for any information you may have.
Amos
Cindy's Answer:
Whenever a dog has a sudden change in bathroom habits, I will make sure the dog doesn't have a medical issue (like a bladder infection).
I will say that I haven't ever had a 6 month old dog that I considered fully housebroken. I have raised lots of puppies in the house, and none I trusted off leash or loose at 6 months old. If your pup gets a clean bill of health, just get him out more often with no chance to linger at the door.
The fact that he's going at the door instead of just randomly around the house shows that he's getting the idea. He's made the connection between the door and going outside, he's just on the wrong side of the door. Accidents happen, just back up your training a little bit and continue with what you've been doing.
Cindy
I will say that I haven't ever had a 6 month old dog that I considered fully housebroken. I have raised lots of puppies in the house, and none I trusted off leash or loose at 6 months old. If your pup gets a clean bill of health, just get him out more often with no chance to linger at the door.
The fact that he's going at the door instead of just randomly around the house shows that he's getting the idea. He's made the connection between the door and going outside, he's just on the wrong side of the door. Accidents happen, just back up your training a little bit and continue with what you've been doing.
Cindy
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