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My Bichon is two years old and still potties in the house

For the most part he does really well. Tony is a 2.5 year Bichon. I keep an eye on him at all times (ok, not all, but for the most part) and at times he gets in a streak and decides to relieve himself in the house. I have scolded him time and time again and outside he is put. He praised each time he comes in after doing what he is supposed to, but I cannot let him roam the house by himself during the day or for long by himself alone. Any suggestions. Gets a little trying at times. Looking for suggestions if anyone has any. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on March 24, 2008 at 11:41am: Hi Barb
Has Tony been crate trained? I find that's the only way to potty train. I have an 8 month old Llaso Poo who no longer will "wet" in the house, but still Poo's. I think it's because of our snow and winter weather. He loves to play in the snow and will always wet outside, but will only Poo when there's a bare patch of grass. I think once spring comes and the snow is gone.. the potty training will be complete. He always goes to the door
and stares at me now when he needs to go out. But when it comes to pooing he sneaks off into a corner
and does it there. When I catch him at it, he immediately goes outside, yes even into a snow bank. He'll
wet, but goes right back into his crate if he doesn't poo. When he is let out of his crate the first thing he
gets to do... is go outside. I can now leave him loose in the house most of the day when I'm here but he's confined to his crate when I'm gone.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barb on March 24, 2008 at 1:21pm: No he isn't crate trained. I couldn't stand seeing him inside it. We put him in an open pen. I guess it is an ongoing process. Thanks.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mary on March 29, 2008 at 11:41am: Our Bichon loves her crate. She spends a lot of nap time in it with the door open and hussles in whenever she sees we are leaving. Our poodle has a bell he rings when he wants to go out but the Bichon will have nothing to do with the bell. She justs rounds us up morning and evening to take her walk. She won't "go" at home but insists on taking a walk; that walk can be difficult in the bad weather, but she has a mind of her own!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Molly Jacobson on April 12, 2008 at 3:30pm: I've noticed that Maui seems to go inside the house ONLY when I'm late in feeding her ... I think she's expressing her displeasure. But she's also such a senior citizen, that sometimes I know it is just that she's a little ... forgetful. I wonder if Cesar has any tips? Or that other trainer - what's her name. Tamar something? She's been on Oprah several times, wrote a book about The Loving Dog or something. More gentle than Cesar ...
:-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MADI on April 25, 2008 at 11:29am: Mabye you should try putting litter boxes in the house or show him what he has done and put him in a kennel or a place where he can be alone after a little while let him out and tell him not to do it again then let him outside.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barb on April 26, 2008 at 2:12am: Honestly, I don't want him to potty in the house and putting donw a litter box would tell him it is ok to potty there. If I catch him in the act, he gets scolded and put outside for a bit.

Has anyone tried the sprays to deter this type of thing. I cannot find one that he dislikes enough to stay away from.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mari Jo on April 26, 2008 at 4:15am: Hi! I have a bichon whom I raised from a pup. He did okay when first potty-training (did have accidents,but for the most part was well trained. THEN he was neutered. After he came home, he started going in the house again, I'd say 2-3 times out of 5. I scolded gently when I caught him, got a can of coins and made a loud noise near the spot and on and on. Nothing worked. I called a trainer and she said I was doing everything wrong-meaning DO NOT scold when he does bad, only praise, and really really praise when he does good. I was skeptical but I tried the following exactly as she said and it worked-perfectly! When he had an accident in the house I was to totally ignore it- no scolding, no yelling, no 'bad dog' just act as if nothing happenend and quietly clean it up. (he just watched me-puzzled) Then I was instructed to get "unreasonably happy' when he went outside! - clapping, 'yeah, Enzo, Goooood boy!" ...really going over the top on the praise. Well, he noticed that and in 2 weeks he was perfect again and NEVER has an accident unlesss he is sick-I still praise im and say 'good boy' and that was 4 years ago-he loks at me now every time he potties and waits for it! Try it, I know it will work- i was at my wit's end and amazed at how perfectly well Bichons respond to praise-and don't respond to scolding! Know it will work-it was like a miracle-good luck! Mari; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barb on April 26, 2008 at 5:02am: thanks, i will definitely try it. I just hate to scold him but like you I am at my wits end.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maltese Mom on May 29, 2008 at 7:59am: I have 2 male Maltese that learned how to potty with piddle pads/wee wee pads. I trained both of my boys when I brought them home at 2 months old. They learned within days....No problems.
You may want to try the piddles until Tony gets the hang of it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barb on May 29, 2008 at 8:40am: Tony is 3 or will be in august. He does pretty good most of the time, but always finds my one chair and piddles on it. I have sprayed it with several things, told him he is naughty and just goes about his business. My next move is taking the chair outside and washing it down with harsh soap and water and letting it dry?; ▶ Reply to This