House training adult terrier?

[mr_hat]

Hi - A scruffy little terrier found me two months ago, ironically while I was delivering for AniMeals. No idea of his background, other than that no one was looking for him. He's an 18 lb, healthy, happy, (newly) neutered Benji look-alike.

And not housebroken.

Our vet thinks he's about 11-14 months. He - Augie - is definitely capable of holding it. No problems with crating over night or during the day. And he'll go first thing in the a.m. regularly and often on walks. The problem is, he just doesn't mind going in the house. He'll go off to the living room, or basement to go. But he won't "ask" to go out. I've never scolded him before, because I've never caught him. And I figure inattention - while knowing the problem - is our fault.

Here's what's really troubling me: Tonight, for the first time, I caught him in the act. I shouted, "Augie, NO!" Scolded him, picked him up and put him outside. Ever since, the poor thing - who's until this point been a comical, inquisitive, fun-loving little guy - has been shut down. I mean, he's so mortified he can hardly move.

My first reaction is that he's been abused, but he's SO people (and all other creatures) friendly that I don't think that's the case. So what's going on here? If he was never house trained, why would he have such crippling shame when I said NO!? And how can I house train him without killing his little spirit?

I appreciate any and all tips. Thanks. Oh, and I should add - I have 4 other totally house-trained doggies.

[lukasahero]

1. I don't think it's "shame"

Thank you for taking on the little guy - it's a very kind thing you have done. Couple of things to know - not sure you've ever had a terrier but some of them can be particularly difficult to house train. That said, I don't think the little guy is hanging his head in shame so much as a bit confused about what he did wrong. Think about it, until today, no one ever told him he couldn't go to the bathroom whereever and whenever he wanted. Perhaps your reprimand was a little more than necessary for him.

My recommendation would be to get him on a schedule - eat, play, outside; nap, play, outside; eat, play, outside... etc. Don't leave water available 24/7. Give that to him on a schedule too. Every time you go out, use a word to signal you're going out for 'business' (business is the word I use to distinguish between going potty and just going out to play). When you take him out and he does his thing, praise him profusely. If he does have an accident in the house again, a sharp 'eh' should get his attention enough to make him stop going - take him out immediately and stay with him until he does his thing - praise him profusely.

It sounds like he wants to please but doesn't understand the rules yet. Give him time - if he's never had a home or never been housetrained, it'll take him a little while to understand what you want. Be consistent. Be firm but be careful not to be too harsh with him - it sounds like he doesn't really need that (yet!)

FTR, I'm going through some of the same issues with a pup we adopted recently who had never had a home. I am trying to balance that same line of teaching her right and wrong while not breaking her spirit. I get where you're at. I say err on the side of the spirit. :)

[mr_hat]

2. Great advice, thanks.

Good point about terriers, too. I thought my previous little terrier mix, Munchkin, tetched or something as a pup - and she turned out to be the smartest, most sympatico girl ever. Long time ago, so thanks for the reminder.

The current two adult, un-house trained doggies we've adopted (f border collie and m aussie shep/golden mix) learned quickly without much drama, so I may have become spoiled.

Poor little Augie - he's come around since I first posted, thank goodness. Been trying to work a sked as you suggested. I just want him to be able to muck in with the other doggies and not be crated when we're gone - probably expecting too much too soon.

You're right - that NO! was too much. I'll definitely continue to err on the side of spirit! Thanks again.

[lukasahero]

3. Yeah, I'm going through the same thing

I lost my 14 y.o. Lab in May and he was "the perfect dog" in every respect. Now we've adopted this little wild dog and I'm at a loss at times with how to reach her. And to top it off she's a fearful dog so we have to be very careful not to "over scold" or she shuts down (or challenges us!)

I'm researching every day and asking questions of anyone who will listen for advice on how to handle certain situations. (My Lab was so easy!) But her spirit is so incredible that she's totally worth the effort. :) Hang in there, I'm sure your little guy will come around.

I was thinking last night - Do you have a fenced in yard or do you walk your dogs to relieve themselves? If you just let them out in the yard to do their thing, then the little one isn't necessarily getting the message properly. You might want to go out with him at this point so you can immediately praise him as soon as he goes to the bathroom outside. (Even praising him 30 seconds later won't allow him to make the connection of poop = praise.) Good luck!

[mr_hat]

4. Good point. Yeah, we do have a fenced yard, and

when the pack comes roaring up the stairs in the a.m., the other four go do their business. Thing is, Augie sits by the door and waits for me - it's more important for him to be with me than it is for him "go out". I have to walk around the yard with him, give him praise, etc.

So yeah, I do that. And to that extent, Augie's got ME trained!

[roguevalley]

6. agreed. I have dachsies and they are as bad. Kennel him when you leave, he

won't pee in his bed. Take him out every hour for a week solid, even if you are tired. Use the same word for pottying: go pee. Use it ruthlessly. he will learn. he wants to prove how much he loves you, you are his god. Good luck. They are very smart dogs.

[livetohike]

5. A second to everything lucashero said and

just imagine Augie as a new puppy. Start all over again as you would with a new puppy. He just needs to be reinforced. I know it will all work out :hi:.

[ehrnst]

7. Being too harsh will make him think you get angry any time he eliminates

And he may not want to do it on walks with you. And will go to great lengths to hide it from you.

Belly bands are great, and will help alot.

I fostered a newly nuetered little terrier male, and it took a month for him to stop marking in the house. The belly band was the only thing that kept us sane.

He did not mark in our neighbor's house, who did not have other dogs.

[dropkickpa]

8. Attach him to you

Seriously. He's going off to do his business, can't do that when attached to you. Keep him on a leash and with you at all times when not crated. Put him on a schedule, and go outside with him when he goes to the bathroom and praise praise praise when he does the deed. Associate the praise with the act. Treat him like a new puppy (and at 11-14 months, he technically still is a puppy). Scolding him for going in the house right now will just confuse him, as you haven't shown him where he's supposed to go.