Unique housebreaking problem

[asalligo]

I have a 2 year old Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix and he was pretty well housetrained before I left Florida. He still had the occasional accident, but I thought he was getting there. I have now moved to Vermont and he has just decided that he is no longer going to go outdoors. I walk him 6 times a day and he just stares at me like I am nuts and when are we going inside, then 10 minutes after we get inside he goes. Then about a week ago he started peeing when he was laying on people, so now he is in the kennel mostly 24/7. I take him outside and walk him and when he goes outside I give him a treat and tell him how good he is, this also earns him a 2 hour reprieve from the kennel. Am I doing the right thing, will he start going in the house again if I let him out of the kennel later? Any ideas?

Thanks so much!

[BostonBanker]

I'm sure others will jump in with helpful suggestions, but just wondering - where in VT are you? I may be able to help with suggestions of a behaviorist if you are interested/in need. I think we are the only Vermonters here!

[asalligo]

Waterbury, Vermont

Thanks

[BostonBanker]

I'm about 20 minutes away in Essex. I don't know if your issue is such that you are looking for a behaviorist, but I can highly recommend one near you. She also does fantastic in-home boarding/training.

Welcome to Vermont, and hopefully someone will be able to help you with your dog's issues.

[Rubylove]

Sorry to hijack - Boston I just love that pic in your siggy. I am entering the wonderful world of horses, soon, and can't wait! You have a beautiful creature, there. :)

[BostonBanker]

I am entering the wonderful world of horses, soon, and can't wait! You have a beautiful creature, there.

Your life will never be the same:D . Are you getting into riding, or embarking on ownership? Soon we are going to need a separate horse section for the forum!

And Tristan says "thank you". He thinks he's beautiful, too. A horribly, horribly vain creature:rolleyes: .

[Rubylove]

Your life will never be the same:D . Are you getting into riding, or embarking on ownership? Soon we are going to need a separate horse section for the forum!

And Tristan says "thank you". He thinks he's beautiful, too. A horribly, horribly vain creature:rolleyes: .
LOL!

I'm getting into riding. My mother rode horses when she was young and unfortunately `never got back on' once after she was thrown. She really regrets it now.

I have ALWAYS wanted to learn - always. When I was a kid we signed up for lessons, and we turned up to the place and the teacher wasn't there. One of the kids in my class accidentally spooked one of the horses in the paddock and set off a big charge. Mum and I had to hold still while about 14 horses charged wildly at us and veered off at the last second. Lucky Mum was there and knew what to do because I would have run screaming and likely been trampled.

Needless to say we didn't go back for lessons.

It never affected me though, and my keenness to learn has been growing and growing. I adore horses, they don't frighten me, but I don't know anything about them and am very much looking forward to learning. They are magnificent creatures that have helped mankind evolve in a way that would never have happened without them (or dogs, for that matter). I can't wait!

Do you have any tips for a complete novice?

[Buddy'sParents]

How long ago was the move?

[asalligo]

The move was 3 weeks ago. He just did it again, He has been in the kennel while we have been gone for about 4 hours, I walk him outside for 20 minutes and he does nothing. I feel bad about keeping him in the kennel forever and I am thinking maybe he does not have to go, so I let him roam a bit and I am watching him, 5 minutes after we are inside he starts peeing all over my couch. I cannot understand why he would hold it for our entire walk and then let loose as soon as we are inside.

[skyeboxer]

I don't know why he would do it either but do wonder if you are thoroughly getting rid of the scent each time he does? If not then could the smell of his own urine be prompting him to do it again?

Also 20 minutes doesn't seem long to wait out a determined little dog. Could you keep him out longer? If he's held it for 4 hours it shouldn't take so long before he absolutely can't wait but bringing him in sooner when he can repeat the behaviour is only enforcing it.

Also what do you do when he does pee in the house?

[asalligo]

I will start working on removing the scent.

When he goes in the house I pop him with something loud and crinkly like a newspaper and take him outside where he stares at me like "Why are we out here?"

[BostonBanker]

When he goes in the house I pop him with something loud and crinkly like a newspaper and take him outside where he stares at me like "Why are we out here?"

Please keep in mind that dogs don't always "translate" corrections the way we think they do. While you may think that popping him is telling him "don't pee in the house", it is quite possible that all he is thinking is "asalligo just smacked me when I peed". Then he gets outside, and is afraid to pee in front of you! Perhaps he just isn't processing the difference between inside and outside - he's just trying to pee when you aren't looking.

[Rubylove]

Please keep in mind that dogs don't always "translate" corrections the way we think they do. While you may think that popping him is telling him "don't pee in the house", it is quite possible that all he is thinking is "asalligo just smacked me when I peed". Then he gets outside, and is afraid to pee in front of you! Perhaps he just isn't processing the difference between inside and outside - he's just trying to pee when you aren't looking.
You've absolutely hit the nail on the head there. I would suggest that that is the primary explanation for the problem :)

[Herschel]

You need to wait him out! If he doesn't go while you are outside, keep walking. He will eventually have to go.

I agree with BostonBanker and RubyLove, your corrections obviously aren't translating very well.

By the way, for scent removal you should use an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature's Miracle or Petastic.