I am new to this discussion group - just got the approval today.

I have been reviewing posts here and also on the Leerburg website, such a fount of info.

I realize that this site is mostly about large breed guard and protection dogs, but is there a topic of small breeds.

I just got a schipperke who was supposed to be house trained. Turns out she was crate trained - big difference.

After arming myself with info from this site, I decided I would train her as though she were a Greman Shepherd. So far, so good.

Thanks for any replies regarding small dogs.

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

I am new to this discussion group - just got the approval today.

I have been reviewing posts here and also on the Leerburg website, such a fount of info.

I realize that this site is mostly about large breed guard and protection dogs, but is there a topic of small breeds.

I just got a schipperke who was supposed to be house trained. Turns out she was crate trained - big difference.

After arming myself with info from this site, I decided I would train her as though she were a Greman Shepherd. So far, so good.

Thanks for any replies regarding small dogs.

Many forum members have large and small dogs.

I didn't understand the comment about house-trained versus crate-trained. Crate-training is a house-training method (a good one). What did you mean? That she was not well-trained? Or that the dog goes in the house but not the crate?

I'm with you that training is training. The only modification I make is to up the number of potty trips to accommodate the smaller bladder. Otherwise ... yes; training is training.

Welcome to the board!

connie is right.
i train my chihuahua(well, i try, lol) just the same as i train my big dogs.

there are whole forums here just for things like house training,obedience training and other things, to help out us non-sporting people.

So even if you have a small dog, and aren't doing protection training, etc, you will still definately get help here.

You can have a dog that is well crate trained but not house trained. Just because the dog never uses the bathroom in the crate doesn't mean if you bring him into the house the dog will not attempt to go to the bathroom in the house

The people that had her before me (about three months, she is now about six months and I have had her almost two weeks) had her in a crate. They also had another small dog that was crated. The dogs were crated while he was at work. When he arrived home, he let the dog out on a line. Later the dog would come in. Several times in the evening she would go out alone. Then, in the crate at night. She doesn't go in crate and obviouly can hold it a long, long, time. I work from home, so I am with her most of the time. I am taking her out on lead to potty on lead. I don't have a fenced yard and she will be a house pet. At first she would pee a little then come back inside and pee and poo more on the floor/rug/carpet. As the days went by she was getting worse to not pee/poo outside, not better. I found this web site last week and read some of the articles, so I went back to basics (starting Sunday) and crated her all the time except when I was feeding her, playing, etc. Also, I have kept her on a leash with me when she is out of crate. This is working nicely. Soooooooo, in a round about way, that why I say she was 'crate' trained not 'housebroken.

Also, I have read many places on the internet that this breed of dog is difficult to housetrain.

Thanks for responding. Any advice helpful. She was abandoned at pound. She will be house pet/companion for me.

Starting over *will* work. I don't much buy into the breed-specific house-training thing..... and I've trained all kinds of small dogs. So don't worry.

Here is where your info is:
http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/16/page/1

There are three threads going on right now, along with a zillion more, right in that forum.

You might want to tether her to you when she is out of her crate, since you can (working at home). Not only is this a great kick-start to renewed house-training, but it will enhance your bond with the dog. JMO.

You are absolutely correct not to get an indoor potty habit going. Set her up for success by giving her plenty of outdoor potty opportunity, and then really praising and rewarding when she does go outdoors.

Thanks, Connie. That's what I did starting Sunday. I tethered her to me. I had never heard of that before, but it really seems to be working, especially so far as bonding with the dog. Tonight, I dropped it for a while and she still stayed with me and then the phone rang and guess what? Yep, pee pee. So now I have learned my lesson. I have almost always had a dog, but haven't needed to train one in many years. I didn't know about all this change in attitude.

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

... I have almost always had a dog, but haven't needed to train one in many years. I didn't know about all this change in attitude.

Yes, motivational training is terrific. I wish that it had been widespread in my own early years, because the difference between old-style training and this is night and day. Happy dog, well-trained dog, upbeat and fun training sessions....

When you get into marker training (and let us know if you need a link), you will be excited at how much fun obedience work can be.

I have already started marker training, I think. I am (trying) teaching her to sit and to go to her mat with high value treats. I had never heard of 'high value treats' before now. I'm 52, kids are grown, find myself single again, and the family dog died a couple of years ago, soooo this dog is a real project for me plus the companionship

 Quote: Jason Sidener

You can have a dog that is well crate trained but not house trained. Just because the dog never uses the bathroom in the crate doesn't mean if you bring him into the house the dog will not attempt to go to the bathroom in the house

Huh? Maybe I'm just dense but I thought the whole point of crate training was to teach the dog that he couldn't use the bathroom on the inside. Can you please explain what you mean. I'm kind of worried because I thought I understood the whole crate training thing and now I'm wondering what further training you must do to house train the dog. I'm a newbie.