House Breaking Help

[DogsBestFriend]

Does anyone have any good ideas for keeping dogs out of certain areas? Or more specifically off of rugs?

I thought my Maltese/Shih Tzu/Poodle was house broken, but recently my wife added a new area rug in our bedroom. Out of nowhere my dog took it upon himself to use it as his personal bathroom.

Im thinking this has to do with the fact that this is his first winter and the cold weather, along with the fact that he is very spoiled, is making him not want to continue going outside.

I let him out in the backyard as often as possible, so I don't know why he is reverting back to where he was a few months ago.

I guess my question is are there products that would keep him out of certain areas? Any suggestions would help.

Thanks in advance!

[Rita]

Hi! Your dog's behavior is quite common I think. First of all obviously it's really cold out and who wouldn't like a soft rug under the bum! haha But in addition to that, dog's tend to mark their territory and often return to that spot instinctualy. You've got to break that habit!!
I have had some luck in this area. I would suggest "Nature's Miracle" to clean the soiled area. It does a great job and then I used something called "Keep Off" or "Keep Away". I can't remember which exactly but it works great to deter the dog.
Don't forget to reward him when he does the right thing. I'd give him a biscuit each time he went outside and relieved himself but of course a small traet otherwise you'll have a whole new problem with your doggie. We've been talking a lot in one of the other threads about obesity and diabetes. When you have time, you should check it out because there are some helpful tips in it.
Well good luck to you and your pup!

[cathy]

There is a very good product available from Four Paws pets products. It is called Keep Off. You spray it on the area you want to keep the pet away from. It lasts for 24 hours and usually in about a week the bad habit should be broken.

[DogsBestFriend]

what about chewing problems? I've heard about a something called "bitter apple" to help with dogs chewing furniture.

Has anyone had any luck with this product? is this a 24 hour fix as well?

Now my dog is chewing the legs of my new sofa

[ladmin]

yes we sell it often

Bitter Apple

[RedyreRotties]

IMO dogs and puppies should be PREVENTED from the opportunity to eliminate in the wrong areas, or chew the wrong things.

Some items that can help with keeping puppies from mischief when they cannot be actively supervised include:

Baby gates
Crates
Exercise Pens
Leashing the puppy to your belt

Behaviors such as chewing are self rewarding, meaning that EACH time the puppy chews an inappropriate item to make himself feel better, he is exponentially more likely to seek out such items again when he is feeling anxious or stressed.

DO NOT ALLOW your puppy ANY chance to do the wrong thing. Use your resources and your primate brain to prevent her any chances to make these mistakes.

Having a TOY BOX can really help. Use a box or basket, keep it in one area, and keep all approved items for chewing and playing in the box or basket. For the first couple of weeks, keep some toys baited with a smear of peanut butter or cheez whiz, and hide small treats in with the toys.

SUPERVISE your puppy carefully at all times when loose in the house. Use the gate to keep the pup in the room with you. At any time the puppy LOOKS AT, SNIFFS, or PUTS HIS MOUTH on anything he is not supposed to have, interrupt him with an AH AH!!. Go to him, and then CHEERFULLY take him to his toy box, while in a praise happy tone of voice saying "Let's go get something from the TOYBOX!!"

Make SURE the pup finds a baited toy and a food reward in the toy box, and a great toy to play with. Play a quick game of tug or fetch as an additional reward for the pup choosing something from the box to play with.

For inappropriate indoor elimination, the routine is much the same. PREVENT the opportunity to make mistakes. Remove the rug for now, or keep a gate up to keep the pup out of the bedroom.

Make outdoor potty time WORTH YOUR DOG'S WHILE. Food reward ALL outdoor potty work with the very choicest rewards. NAME elimination functions as they are happening. (while the puppy is urininating, for example, I say GOOOOOOD, go pee pee....go pee pee.....GOOOOOD go pee pee... Until she is done, and then IMMEDIATLEY pop the food reward in the mouth)

Dogs are innocently selfish creatures who quickly learn to repeat behaviors that get them a reward. Dogs do what WORKS for them.

Make what you WANT your dog to do work really well for him, and prevent his opportunites to do those things you do not want.