House training gone to pot

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Rudolph's Red Nose

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Hi, I have a 4 month old border collie which I succesfully house trained and he had been as good as gold asking to go out and went out on his own and I always knew if he had been as he sat on the floor by his treat tin.

However the last few days it has completely gone to pot and he is back weeing and pooing in the house .. this morning was the last straw - went out in the garden with him for 15 mins "for encouragement" where he sat and looked at me, I decided fair enough he doesnt want to go, he came in walked into the next room and squatted. He knows he is doing wrong as when I tell him off he runs off with his tail down and ears flat.

I am currently packing up the house as moving at the end of this week do you think this could be unsettling him ? He is getting plenty of attention as he likes to unpack the boxes as quick as I pack them but I can not work out what has changed otherwise for him to revert..

Anyone got any advice ...
 
Thanks - I have done, extra praise etc am back standing in the garden with him and I am also wondering if the snow / ice has put him off too !! am relived to know I am going the right way ...

Thanks again - think I will put off buying new carpets in the new house just for the moment :)
 
he is still really young and while some will be reliable within a couple of weeks, the reality is that most will have lapses like these Im afraid. Go back to basics, out frequently, have a toilet command and heap on the praise when he goes. Make sure you clean any accident spots well with biological washing powder solution to ensure there is no scent remaining which will encourage him to go inside again. With my pups I dont let them have free access in any room in the house unless they have just been, if they havent then they are in the crate. The key is to not give him the opportunity to make a mistake- set him up for success.

Good luck. Ive had many BC's and having just thought I had totally failed for the first time, I have finally got my now 1 year old bitch pup to be dry! She had an immature bladder and junenille vaginitis though and we didnt see any real improvement until she had her first season at christmas. Thank goodness!
 
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Don't stand outside with him, go back in and watch him out the window, puppies will commonly not pass whilst owner is standing in proximity, they tend to show more interest in the human, you leaving him will encourage him to go an explore.
As suggested, keep him in the same room as you always or crate him when you cannot, and that takes all opportunity away to pass motions when you cannot see it and redirect him to outside.
 
back to basics again! yes the packing will be getting him wondering! and the cold outside wont be helping. if you previously used/do use a crate get that system working again! you will have to repeat all the basics when you move anyway, as it will all be strange to him! winter puppies are much harder than summer puppies, BUT you will get there, YOU need to be consistant so he learns. Good luck, yes hold off new carpets for a few weeks when you move, but also bear in mind if the new place you move to had a dog previously he may well want to mark, so high rewards for going outside, and plenty of exercise..
 
Thank you everyone for all your help, he has been a lot better today - been asking to go out again so hopefully onwards and upwards again.

Funnily enough he hates being in his crate at the moment barks the place down especially as it is getting emptier with my packing and the house echos - my neighbours complained !! so am doing 5 mins at a time and building that back up too.. but the new house is detached so I can be a little harder without worrying about the neighbours..

I was thinking that I never had these toilet training problems with my old border collie and yes he was a summer pup so we were always out in the garden etc..
 
Moving is such an upheaval - I'm definitely anticipating problems with the spud when we move next month.:( Sure your lad (and Henry!) will bounce back soon though!
 
Spudlet - I have officially declared that if I ever mention moving again someone is to hit me over the head with a large piece of wood - never ever again.

I was sorting out my energy suppliers yesterday and they asked if there will be anyone with special needs in my new house - I said yes me on Friday night if I cant find the alcohol I stupidly packed 2 weeks ago.

Good luck with the move and hope Henry behaves himself :)
 
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