Peeping in the House

[Pin0977]

I have a 13 year old Yorkie and 10 and 4 year old Lhasa Apsos. Up until a month or so ago I had someone come in 2-3 times a day to let them out for the toilet, check on them etc while my Fiance and I were at work.

Unfortunately she now can't come in and they're being left in for a few hours themselves. We have an indoor toilet for them but they seem to point blank refuse to use it. We've used voice commands, tempting with treats, all the normal training things to try and get them to use it but they won't so we're coming in to a lot of accidents every day. I kept putting my Yorkie on their toilet last night as I knew he needed the toilet and he wouldn't do anything and when I turned my back, he came off of it and peeped on the floor.

I know they can control their bladder so I'm not sure what the issue now is (pay back for being left alone?).

Any suggestions welcome please.

 

[leashedForLife]

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how long have U had the litter-tray? -- years, months, a few weeks?
Were they accustomed to use it before, possibly from puphood, or is it a new item to them?
If they used it in the past, how long ago was it taken away / retired, or how long ago did [ETA] any of the 3 dogs actually use it as a place to void urine or stool?

Tiny dogs have tiny bladders, & also, rapid metabolisms - they both digest & excrete faster & more-often than bigger dogs, which is a matter of anatomy & physiology, not a "choice" by the dog. // IOW, they gotta go sooner & more frequently than dogs with quart-capacity bladders & 20-ft of bowel.

If the litter-box is NEW to them, "telling them" / commanding them to use it won't mean a thing; if it's not an actual cue for the dog, meaning they genuinely understand what action they're spozed to do when they hear / see that cue, it's just noise or meaningless gestures, & they have no idea what U want.
If they have a cue for "potty" when they're outdoors, that's an entirely different context, & it won't translate to "pee now" / "poop now" INSIDE the house.

Plus, as U're frustrated & upset at coming home to multiple puddles of urine & piles of poop, U probly don't sound very happy; U're more-likely to sound angry & impatient, which for most small dogs is extremely threatening - it's scary to be faced by an angry human when U weigh less than 10#.

Personally, i'd confine them to a small area with an easy-clean floor - no carpet, rugs, or upholstery to pee on, which will absorb the urine. // Lino, tile, or any other non-porous surface is good.
If they've been crate-trained, I'd put them in their solid-bottom, solid-walled SHIPPING CRATES - which aren't cute quilted-fabric oversized handbags, they're actual, ya know, crates. No bedding is needed - they're in a climate-controlled house, not subject to extremes of cold or heat.

I'd also put their water into bunny-bottles to prevent spills, & to limit how much they can splash or dribble while confined. // Chilling the clean, filled water-bottles in the 'frig overnight B4 U put them on their crate doors & depart the next day, will keep the water cool much longer.

- terry

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[JudyN]

Could you find a new person to come in regularly?

Also, when they do have accidents, you need to clean it up very thoroughly or the smell will encourage them to use the same spot again. Use a cleaner sold for the purpose, bio washing powder, or vinegar & bicarb - no ammonia-based cleaners.

 

[Pin0977]

Thank you for the replies, I think it's just going to take some more time and work on our part.

I definitely don't get angry with them or shout at them for accidents. I totally understand that when you need to go, you need to go (plus as we're still trying to stabilise Bob and his diabetes, he has to go way more frequently than normal). I don't see what they're doing as bad behaviour, it's just nature taking it's course and I know they aren't doing it to pay me back, that was a wee joke, which is another reason I don't get annoyed at them.

When they go outside to the toilet, I'm saying "toilet" to them so that when I sit them on the tray and say "toilet" they will hopefully begin to know what I'm expecting from them.

As it's all new to them, I think it's just going more perseverance from me to teach and help them.

 

[Pin0977]

Could you find a new person to come in regularly?

Also, when they do have accidents, you need to clean it up very thoroughly or the smell will encourage them to use the same spot again. Use a cleaner sold for the purpose, bio washing powder, or vinegar & bicarb - no ammonia-based cleaners.

Unfortunately I've not been able to get anyone else to come in at the moment but I'm going to keep trying.

I hadn't thought to use washing powder! I will definitely try that and the vinegar solution too. Good ideas, thank you.