Re: URINATING IN CAGE AND ON BED

In Reply to: URINATING IN CAGE AND ON BED
Category:   House Breaking
Posted by:  HEATHER SAXTON
Posted on:  January 29, 2002 at 15:39:52

: I have a female JRT, spayed, 10 months old. I got her from a private breeder when she was 7 months old and she wasn't housebroken. I've read the books and tried the advice of my vet where crate training is concerned, but my pup doesn't mind soiling her cage and she also urinates on my bed as well as in the house even though I've just had her outside. I had her in a larger wire cage for some time and the vet suggested a smaller environment and she's now in a travel size carrier but she still continues to mess in the cage. The time frame that she's in the cage doesn't seem to matter... one hour or 6, still the same results. I feed her in the morning, about 5:30 am and give her a small amount of water. As much as I enjoy her, she's about to lose her happy home if I can't resolve this issue. Please help! I also have another JRT, same age, also female and also spayed that I've had no problem with as far as housebreaking is concerned. Am I expecting too much?

Response:
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Hi Heather,

If this dog was a kennel dog then yes you are probably asking a lot of her at this point. If you stop to think she has spent 7 months being able to relieve herself where-ever and whenever she wanted to. You have to housebreak her as if she is a small puppy. She needs to be put on a strict feeding and potty schedule.

When you take her out, leash her and stay with her. Spend about 10 minutes outdoors with her and encourage her to go. If she doesn't you bring her back in, crate her and about 15 minutes later you take her out again. Repeating the same thing, leash her, take her to the same spot and encourage her to go. She has to learn to associate going out with going potty. You might have to repeat this a few times every time in the beginning until she starts to catch on.

If you haven't gotten the book I always recommend I suggest getting it. "How to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days" by Shirlee Kalstone. You won't be able to housebreak her in that short a time but if you read the book and consistently stick to one of the schedules in there your new terrier should be well on her way of understanding what she needs to do.

You can't compare the two dogs, it isn't fair to her. She spent much of her formative months apparently in a kennel and you will have to be patient with her.