My dog will find a place for urination or defecation and will eat the evident. I've gated off many of the rooms. Is it possible that some dogs can never be fully housebroken?

Hi Ed,

I've been following your advice for some time now; I have a 7 year old mini dachshund and a 2 year old smooth collie. The collie has been a no brainer to train - she could be your textbook dog. the dachshund is also very well behaved, non aggressive, obedient but it took a lot more effort except for one thing:

My specific question is on housebreaking. The collie was housebroken in 2 weeks 100% using a crate. The dachshund is not, but just in my home. I take her to my office- 100%, my mother's house 100%, our lake house 100%, a beach vacation rental every summer 100%... you get the picture. At home, if I don't have my eye on her at all times, she will find a quiet out of the way place. Urination or defecation. She will eat the evidence. I have the living room, and den gated off. I close the bedroom and bathroom doors. I even have my hardwood floored dining room gated off so her access is limited. She is crated when I am not home. The accidents happen when another member of my house forgets to close off these areas.

So this is my life for the past 7 years. She is fed 2x a day, has free water access, and I take her out often. She does her business on command outside. I have stock in Nature's Miracle. Over the years I have reverted back to square one with the crate, but the result is only temporary, so we have cycles.>

Is this it for her lifetime? Is it possible that some dogs can never be fully housebroken?

Thanks,
Deborah