Question!
From my comments: “We have a 8 month old boxer who goes into his crate to pee, and also pees at the drop of a hat where ever. He has no indicators as to when he needs to go out, and I take him out frequently. I don’t know what to do. He has gone today alone 3 times in his crate, twice on the carpet and it is only 745pm. I have taken him out 4 or 5 times, and on a long walk/run to play. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks”
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THANK you for your question! Love to answer questions!!
Okay – here we go. I’ve said in the past, if you read the dog training books, or the housebreaking hints, they always say “Dogs don’t pee where they sleep.” which leaves people who have dogs who DO pee where they sleep feel like they have a damaged dog! Not good.
Some dogs will pee where they sleep. In their crates, in their beds- in YOUR bed. Just so you all know! Several reasons for it – but it does happen.
Pee in the crate? That's the silliest thing I've ever heard!
Okay – my next question for you would be – how long have you had him? If its only been a couple days – I’d say take a deep breath and do what you are doing for a few more. Often our new dogs just take a while to adapt. They express this…lack of adapting…by peeing or having diarrhea or not eating, or being the BEST DOG EVER. And I say this too will past.
Okay – so if you’ve had the dog longer than a day or two, or if it goes on longer than another day or so- the next step is vet visit. Sounds like it could very well be a bladder or urinary tract infection. If it is – he Can’t Help it. Compulsive inappropriate peeing is how this expresses itself. So – go check that out asap. Couple days of antibiotics could easily cure the entire problem.
Its true. Ask me how I know.
If you came to talk to me – those would be the first two steps – to reassure you that some dogs do pee where they sleep – your dog isn’t damaged – and to tell you to get a vet check. Tell them what the issue is, and see if its an infection or anything else. Am NOT a vet – but sure sounds like one to me.
Then I’d be asking you more questions. Is he neutered? When did this happen? Was he ever housebroken or do you know? When do you feed him and what do you feed him? How does he get his water? What is his schedule like? What kind of changes have been in the household lately? Does he have any known allergies? Has he Ever let you know when he needs out in any way shape or form?
How much do you love this face? Come on, be honest!
Once he gets vet checked – we will go on from there, and do some other things, depending on the answers to those questions. So – go get that done and get back with me. I’m looking forward to helping!
Question of the week!
And from an email I got yesterday – a semi-hysterical wailed, “I’ve been watching the tv shows with the tv trainers and they say my dog can’t sleep in my bed with me! Is this true?? He’s always slept with me! How come he can’t? I don’t want to ruin my dog, but I LIKE him to sleep with me.”
Chinese Cresteds are very warm, and thus very nice feet warmers.
Me too. My baby dog sleeps in my bed. And he’s always going to. I like a dog in my bed. Or two. Or…well…
But. Now. Your dog. I actually get this question a lot. Or actually, more what I get is a very sheepish confession, “I know he shouldn’t, but my dog sleeps with me.”
As the generalization goes from yesterday, despite all the tv trainer hype – and OH shall we talk about them at some point, Oh yes! – Most dogs Most of the time are okay in Most beds.
I must be cuddled close in order to get my beauty sleep!
So. Why won’t the tv trainers let them? A couple reasons. The dogs on tv are having ISSUES. BIG issues. Your dog probably isn’t. Your dog, like most dogs, is probably only having Normal issues. Crate or own bed sleeping is ONE step in solving those big issues.
And the pretty trainer in the thigh high black dominatrix boots – and I SO want a pair of those – has an issue with dogs in her bed. I have an issue with dogs charging out the front door when its opened. We all have our pet peeves. That is hers. Why – who knows why?? Doesn’t matter why. Just know that it is. So she preaches her pet peeve. So do I.
Does a pet peeve involve food for the pets??? We Hope so!
So here are a couple of the reasons dogs shouldn’t sleep in your bed:
They aren’t housebroken. While dogs generally won’t pee where they sleep, a little one thinks three steps from where they sleep is “away”. And will walk a few steps away, pee a tiny bit, walk back and zonk out. No one the wiser. Till you start noticing a smell….or dampness…or…well.
We aren't talking about barking today, right? GOOD!
The biggest issue though is King of the Castle Syndrome. Bed is a very high value item. It smells like us. Its Up way high. Everyone wants to be in it! Its the best piece of furniture in the house (says the tired dog trainer who never gets to be in hers enough).
So if your dog thinks he rules the roost, that its HIS bed and he lets you stay there, then he doesn’t need to be in it. Crate time, or tether to the floor.
I don't even like Mom's new boyfriend in the house...much less....NO. Just No.
If he growls when you move your feet- outta there.
If he takes over your husband’s pillow when he gets up to go to the bathroom, and won’t let him back in bed – give him a pat and say,”good dog” and go back to sleep….JUST seeing if you were paying attention! Really. That’s another sign your dog shouldn’t be allowed in your bed. Honest. Seriously…..
But if your dog just curls up next to you and sleeps; If he isn’t peeing in your bed, or growling when you move or getting upset by any adult activity going on, or snapping at the kids who come in nightmare crying; he’s OKAY in your bed.
My professional opinion? She will look SO good in those boots!
Really. Don’t make me put on my boots to get you to believe me.
How to find a trainer
One of the search terms I see come up a lot is, “how to find a dog trainer” or “how to find a good dog trainer” or “how to tell if a dog trainer is good”.
There is no exact criteria for becoming a dog trainer, unfortunately. Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. You need no accreditation or authority. A basic “I think I can!” attitude is all it takes.
I think she can. Do you think she can? She thinks she can! That's the important thing. Right?
So. Because trainers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and have differing methods and ways and ingrained prejudices and ideas and means – here is my big bit of advice:
go talk to them.
Its hard to know what to ask though! Especially if you haven’t had a puppy or a dog for a really long time.
They had NO clue what they were getting into when they got me. I shook up their lives big time. In a good way!
I talked to a guy not too long ago who trains hunting dogs for himself. He thought it might be fun to teach other people to train hunting dogs. He probably would do a good a job at it. He seemed to like people, he explained himself fairly well and he LOVED hunting with his dogs. However, ask him about housebreaking a teeny-tiny, and….well, all his dogs are big, and live in a kennel….he’s not so good at that.
Some have full time jobs being other things. Not a bad thing, because honestly, its hard to make a decent, raise your family, living as a dog trainer. Ask me how I know this.
But if they only teach a couple hours a week, and its because they belong to a club that promotes from within: i.e. if you are the best in the class this week – wanna teach next week for us???- well, there are things they might not be able to handle.
The way to train me is not the way to train that golden over there. We think differently. And he cares about what you want. me, nah.
Ask a variety of questions. If they don’t know the answers but offer to find out – that’s okay. Even doctors get second opinions. BUT – they should have a large general knowledge of many breeds and their behaviors, more than two ways to teach one behavior, and a fantastic sense of humor. Patience too, but that is kind of hard to tell about in a short interview.
Do they ‘guarantee’? There are certain things you can say with fair certainty you can teach a dog to do, but a lot of the guarantee is up to follow through and practice. That comes from the two legged student.
Do you think this trainer is someone you can work with? Does she listen to your rambles about your problems? Does she say she’s heard of that issue before? Do you feel confident she can help and will follow through?
Is she a professional? Meaning – does she return phone calls and emails? Show up when she’s supposed to? Have an plan for you and your problems when she does come? Has she been in business for a while? There are lots of people who jump in and then go out so quickly.
No reason for this picture. She just thinks I'm adorable. And I am.
Money – she needs paid. But – is it the first thing she brings up? Is she forever watching the clock? Too busy and important to pay you the attention you deserve is not good either.
Hmmm- the more I keep thinking on this subject the more I have to say – but – what do you think is the most important thing to ask a prospective trainer?
Methods?
Money?
How long?
Where?
References?
Or??
What you think?