the amazing weeing puppy

[trollbeadaddict]

(Only just realised there was a pets topic, so apologies if this subject has been covered a zillion times before). We have a lakelad terrier (7 months) who is proving really hard to toilet train. We had a bernese mountain dog before who was sooo easy to train (unfotunately went senile at 6 and attacked my DD s had to go but at least he didn't make the house smell like a toilet - pros and cons). Our fault a bit as we didn't crate train this one. I need to get up at 6.30 to make sure he goes out in time - but it's not so much the length of time he goes between wees but the fact he'll all of a sudden cock his leg up on the sofa (eg). Tried everything suggested in the books,but just wondered if he'll just get better with age (fingers crossed).

Is he neutered?

Are you getting the smell out completely using a specialist product or solution of biological washing powder?

Not yet - waiting til after the holidays. Trying to get the smell out - have spent a fortune on various sprays, and washing floor twice a day. Other than when (I assume) he can't hold it in or is upset at being locked in kitchen, he's not weeing in the same place - maybe just marking I suppose. I just can't remember my last dog being this bad - maybe different bladder development times. My DH is getting more upset than me - I'm afraid it's going to be a "it's me or the dog" moment soon!

When we had a dog years ago ,the only thing that house trained him(and i think he must have been nearly 2 ) was to go on holiday.We tried all the usual suggestions to no avail.

He needs to be neutered - this is a male scent marking type of urination and is not going to stop. If you can't get him neutered right now (for healing time post op vs holiday time etc) then get an appt at the vets and ask for him to be given some Tardak (injection) - this blocks the male hormones for about 4 weeks and will effectively produce the same response as castration will, though will need to be supplemented with discipline and cleaning etc to help break the habit as it is now also a learned behaviour. If you can then get him neutered before the 4 weeks is up you should get pretty much continuous hormonal improvement. If however you just have him neutered the effects are not going to be immediately evident as it takes a few weeks for the hormone levels to settle naturally (4-6 weeks). I would still also invest in a crate and/or stair gates to block him into selected areas when you can not supervise him in the mean time as this will help avoid these incidents in the first place.
You could also talk to your vet about referral to a behaviour counsellor for him too if the neutering etc is not being a sucessful as you would like.