House Training an Adult Dog

[Spange]

Hi.

We have 2 dogs, both second hand, a black lab and a cocker spaniel (both two). The lab is super, as is the spaniel, but the spaniel thinks nothing of soiling the house. They are let out about 10.30pm and i'm up every day at 6 am to let them out. We've tried the spaniel in a cage, and he keeps that clean overnight, but has taken to crying, so we let him out, crying stops but soiling starts!

does anyone have any tips on how to house train an adult dog. We are the spaniels 3rd home (we've had him 5 months now) and his previous owner didn't seem to mind the mess, their kitchen was trashed, however, i think it's not unreasonably to expect him to be clean. they are both fed dried food twice a day.

any help much appreciated!

 

[Alec Swan]

Right, and for what it's worth, as they're now two years old, then feed once a day. ONLY feed six days out of seven. Feed in the morning, and then by 2200 hrs, the dirty bugger should have an empty bowel.

I always feed dogs in work seven days a week. Those not in work, the ones flopping about, get a rest for one day out of seven, and I believe that they're better for it. The diet should also be considered.

Alec.

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

Alec, I don't understand how feeding only six days out of seven would make any difference I agree with you regarding feeding in the morning though, that makes perfect sense I would train your spaniel like I would train a pup i.e. regular wee and poo breaks in the garden & lots of praise from you when they do eventually their business. I find using a cue word useful too. My dogs will all go when I say wee-wees

 

[soloabe]

Is it only a night?

I would go back to the crate. In and out of it all day. When i first get mine they are in it for 10 minutes of every hour just to get them use to going in and out.
Put her in at night. Ignore the crying it will stop, The second you go down to her she's won.

If its during the day to.
Outside every hour and as soon as she goes make it the biggest deal ever. Treats, play ect

 

[EAST KENT]

Is it only a night?

I would go back to the crate. In and out of it all day. When i first get mine they are in it for 10 minutes of every hour just to get them use to going in and out.
Put her in at night. Ignore the crying it will stop, The second you go down to her she's won.

If its during the day to.
Outside every hour and as soon as she goes make it the biggest deal ever. Treats, play ect

Absolutely agree with this.My first bought puppy was dirty till six months..UNTIL we purchased a vari type kennel.Straight out of that to the garden..lots of "be a good girl" untill she obliged,then loads of manic praise.The reult after just two weeks was a clean dog who,conviently ,would "go" on command..which is very useful indeed. She was allowed freedom in the house for a while after an empty,and gradually she earned freedom all the time by being clean.

 

[CAYLA]

What Katie said ^^^ where house toilet training is concerned its best to start with a smaller space then gradually increase over a period of time, setting times to let the dog go from the more contained space to the outside area with a cue "wee wees" watch from the window and when she is nearing the end of the motion give a treat "good wee wee"
Its very hard to try and train in a large space where the dog can simply pass the motion then walk away, in the smaller space they will try to hold until your release and they are then ready to go and it so happens its the garden now
I would as suggested revert back to crate or create a smaller area to contain her.

Also with the crate, did you introduce it or jsut place her in it? tis could make a difference to the crying.