Anyone had experience of house training an older dog?

[foofooyeah]

Been thinking of getting a dog for a while.

Went to a dog rehoming place today and found a lovely dog that we are interested in. Lots known about its background and it seems a good match for us.

My only worry is that he is 2 years old and as been kept outside so never been house trained. Has anyone had any positive experience of house training an older dog like this that can assuage my worries? He seems bright and knows some commands despite a lack of any proper training.

I know the process for house training a puppy and was going to try same process.

My dog was much the same when I got her. She was a 13 month old failed working dog that had only lived in kennels.

We went back to basics, she's bright and learn't very quickly, lots of praise.

All in all she was completely house-trained within 6 weeks when she started ripping up the puppy pads instead of weeing on then

She has and still does have issues surrounding the lack of socialisation early on but all in all she is a joy to have. Good luck

Thanks Hobbit, did she have a cage or restricted space at all at night, or if you had to leave her for a short while?

She was confined to the hall with a babygate, more so because she chewed everything She has a crate now but only uses it when she's scared bloody fireworks or just wants some peace.

Two dogs, two totally different experiences.

BigDog was two and had never been in a house. She was perfectly clean from day one. The only time she has ever had an accident was on bonfire night because she is scared of fireworks so she weed on the kitchen floor.

SmallDog had been kept in a flat but not house trained. It turned out he also had a raging bladder infection that may have affected his control. The first year was horrendous and he would wee in the house nearly every night. He's now learnt to wake us if he needs to go, but (after five years) he probably has an accident once a week (during the night). if he's very tired we have to watch him like a hawk, or if there is a change to routine.

Interestingly, SmallDog has a crate and if we go out he puts himself in it and closes the door. When we are out he rarely has accidents.

Thank goodness for no carpets and easily cleaned floors.

Lets hope he is a BigDog! But have a feeling he could be otherwise.

Saw him again today and he was great, very playful and then settled down for a cuddle with me.

Poor SmallDog, I've made him sound like a menace. Luckily we love him anyway.

I think we were unfortunate in that because of the worst bladder infection the vet had ever seen his control is rubbish.

If its any consolation my friend has recently got a rescue dog who had not been house trained and he's been fab, no accidents at all.