Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

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chorbs
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:37 am

Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

Post by chorbs »

Please, PLEASE be kind and gentle with your responses to this as I'm about at my wits end and it takes everything I have to not cry about this whole thing as it is.

Jamie is just over 5 months old; we've had her since she was 2 months old. Thus, I've been trying to housetrain her for over 3 months and am getting nowhere. I've again and again read over the do's and don't of housetraining on this website and MANY others. And I'm doing those do's and don't. "Go potty outside", treats and getting sweet on her when she does, same area every time, taking out frequently, right after eating, naps, play times, mornings, etc.

We/I spend a lot of time outside and Jamie always wants to be with us/me as we do. We have a 1/2 acre lot and have recently put in an invisible fence which she took to very quickly (and please, I'm sorry if you don't like invisible fences but that debate discussion is NOT why I'm here.) Since Jamie is already outside a lot the "taking her out" part has become complicated; she's already outside and going the bathroom out there also. But she still goes in the house when she's in here also (not the mudroom, that's her area, but the rest of the house.) I want MORE THAN ANYTHING, to be able to take down the baby gate and let Jamie come live in the house with the rest of us; but every time I try she pees or poops, or both, in the house. Even when I thought I had my eye on her the whole time !

I also babysit a 2 yr old who is scared to death of the dog so I have to have the babygate up constantly, subsequently locking the dog in the mudroom all day. I swear that it's gotten to the point that Jamie would rather be outside than in here with us .... cuz most of the time she's locked up in the mudroom whereas outside she's got 1/2 acre to run around, chase the cats, bark, chase butterflies, etc. And I don't blame her !!! But it breaks my heart. She won't come in ! I want her to be part of the family soooo badly ! It's nice to have her lying on the sofa beside me in the evening while I watch TV and crochet.

I really need help with this but ..... I don't know where to begin (again!)
dontpugme
Posts: 1294
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:01 pm
Location: Houston, Texas

Re: Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

Post by dontpugme »

*bump*
--dontpugme
Suzette
Posts: 1518
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2011 6:45 am

Re: Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

Post by Suzette »

Hi Chorbs, If you don't get any responses to your post here, you might want to copy and paste it over on the "Dog Taining Advice" section. I think more people will see it there and respond.
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11
Fundog
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Location: A little gambling town in the high desert

Re: Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

Post by Fundog »

Oh, gosh, I feel so bad for you, I really do. :( I wonder.... do you have any other troubles training Jamie in any other types of behaviors? (like sit, etc.) Could she possibly have a mild case of brain damage/mental retardation that is causing her learning disability? Granted, at five months old she should have the muscle development and control to be able to get this house training thing by now, but she could also be a bit "premature," or developmentally delayed, even (like the five year old human that's still wearing pull-ups to Kindergarten). :? :?

On the other hand... I (we all do) want you to know that sometimes a dog or puppy does prove to be more than a family's life circumstances or skill, stress levels, patience, etc. can handle, and it is in their best interest, and the best interest of the dog, to rehome their beloved pet. We understand this, and won't judge you harshly if it comes to that. Meanwhile, we'll try our best to offer whatever help and advice we can. :)
If an opportunity comes to you in life, say yes first, even if you don't know how to do it.
Nayshiftin
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2011 3:28 am

Re: Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

Post by Nayshiftin »

Have you tried getting a trainer in to give advice. I think they can help more as they can visit and give one to one advice. Sometimes rescue places will gladly put you in touch with a behaviour specialist. I think though and I am not being nasty judging or anything like that.. . I just want to say if it is too much and you do not want to continue with the heartache and you will be devastated but if you need her to go. Many rescue dogs get wonderful second homes. My friend had a rescue dog and had to take it back as her family was in and out all the time and the dog did not settle until she found it had gone two streets away yes two streets to an old man on his own. The dog got peace the man loved his one and only best friend and it worked. They now have two adorable hyperactive family dogs. I am new but I know Dogs are not human but similiar to us they all have their special needs. Put me on a phone or one to one I am happy .......put me in a crowd and I am panicky and claustophobic. They can't tell you. I wish you well whatever decision it is hard.
Jo_Smith
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2011 6:35 am

Re: Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

Post by Jo_Smith »

I don't know too much about puppies but I doubt it's due to any sort of retardation(?) some puppies take longer to learn than others. If she is outside most of the day then you aren't really teaching her anything then, you need to supervise her constantly at this stage otherwise how is she learning ?

Is it your job to babysit the child? if not then can't you have a child free week & put some serious work in to this? I would keep your dog leashed & with you the whole time. Take her out every 20 mins, if she doesn't go then bring her back in again. Repeat throughout the day. If at any time during her time in the house she appears to be giving signs pf going to the toilet then take her out. Make sure you stay with her the whole time you are out.
At the moment it seems that as she is outside be herself alot she isn't getting consitant training. This is something that you need to be doing every single day without fail & no excpetions - you will get there.

Make sure you are also cleaning the areas thoroughly (you can either get specific sprays for this or use biological washing powder) so she can't smell where she has been previously. Have you thought of crate training her?
Sarah83
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Re: Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

Post by Sarah83 »

If she's locked in the mudroom most of the time she's indoors then how is she going to learn not to toilet elsewhere in the house? I'd try having her tethered to me in the house so she couldn't wander off and pee somewhere. Take out every 15-20 minutes, reward really well when she goes out there and not allow her unsupervised access to the garden right now, you NEED to be there to reward her for getting it right imo.

How often do you babysit this child? I'm afraid any child I babysat on a regular basis would have to deal with the fact I have a dog or their parents find someone else to babysit. It's not fair to lock the dog away all day, especially a puppy who needs the training and interaction.
twicelovedmutts
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:05 am

Re: Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

Post by twicelovedmutts »

Is Jamie fixed? That may help, and unless you plan to breed (and I can see no reason you would or even should) it may really help.

I too am a big believer in tether training. It is hard for a dog to misbehave when they are right underfoot and can not be sneaky.

I do have to wonder about the babysitting problem as well. Does Jamie misbehave around the toddler (jumping, nipping, etc)? Otherwise... train the toddler and Jamie together! they BOTH sound like they could really benefit.

What breed is Jamie?
misskris
Posts: 66
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:33 pm

Re: Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

Post by misskris »

Fundog wrote:Oh, gosh, I feel so bad for you, I really do. :( I wonder.... do you have any other troubles training Jamie in any other types of behaviors? (like sit, etc.) Could she possibly have a mild case of brain damage/mental retardation that is causing her learning disability? Granted, at five months old she should have the muscle development and control to be able to get this house training thing by now, but she could also be a bit "premature," or developmentally delayed, even (like the five year old human that's still wearing pull-ups to Kindergarten). :? :?
I taught kindergarten for five years, and I agree. it sounds funny, but I'm pretty sure that since dogs are living things, they have the potential to be born with a learning disability. If they can learn, they can have a disability. That's what I think, but I could definitely be wrong. In Kindergarten, we try all sorts of interventions before seeking help. I think that you are definitely doing that, so maybe others are right, and you might want to speak with a behaviorist? Sorry -- I totally know how you feel...I definitely was CRYING every night when I first got Daisy because of the potty training thing. It sucks because we can't talk to our dogs. :*( Keep us updated! Best of luck. :D
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Nettle
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Re: Almost ready to get rid of puppy .............

Post by Nettle »

twicelovedmutts wrote:Is Jamie fixed? That may help, and unless you plan to breed (and I can see no reason you would or even should) it may really help.

From a behavioural/training point of view, this advice is wrong. First train the dog, then neuter it IF you want to, at a suitable age, ie when it has finished growing. Neutering prevents breeding and prevents disease in the parts that are no longer there, but it does not help behavioural issues. Neutering at the wrong time often creates a plethora of behavioural problems.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

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