Dog trainer rec for older dogs

[Anonymous]

We have two rescue dogs. And we are having a devil of a time how's training them. They are older dogs. Pounds. I've house trained before but these two are just not getting it. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. And I have to be able to bring these dogs to other peoples houses. Such as when I go on vacation. right now I'm not comfortable doing so. We are extremely frustrated. Any recommendation in Northern Virginia would be appreciated.

I've had dogs all my life. So I know the drill about rolling out medical causes and all that. This is behavioral.

[Anonymous]

Anyone???? Please?

[Anonymous]

I have a rec in DC - not sure if this helps you.

http://sidewalkdogtraining.com/

[Anonymous]

He's based in DC, but Danny at [phone]. He's a great trainer. He's worked with my dog and numerous other dogs in my building.

[Anonymous]

Any good trainer will be able to work with dogs of all ages. I would look for a trainer that is a CPDT (certified pet dog trainer) and uses positive reinforcement. Off the top of my head in NoVA:

http://bestbehaveddogs.com/ (love love love Janet, she is fantastic)
http://www.cooperativepaws.com/
http://kissablecanine.com/about/
http://www.theenlighteneddog.com/

Avoid avoid avoid bark busters or sit means sit. They are franchises that require no real dog training knowledge and can easily do more harm than good.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Also, I would take them to the vet to rule out any medical issue before you tear your hair out fixing something that isn't behavioral. Unlikely that they both have a UTI or something at the same time, but it could happen.

I have house trained many fosters over the years. My preferred method is to crate them any time I am not watching them/interacting with them. If they are out of the crate, they are leashed to my belt loop or we are playing in a small area. I set a timer for going outside every 30 minutes the first day, increasing by 10 minutes a day. By the end of the week, we're at 90 minutes, and I find I can increase by 30 minutes at that point, until we're at 3 hours or so. I never push more than 3 hours unless the dog is crated.

I never punish for accidents in the house. Punishing makes them more likely to find a place to hide it, and I don't want them peeing behind furniture! If they pee in the house, then I screwed up, by giving them too much freedom.

What I will do is interrupt, so if I see him hiking his leg, I'll clap my hands and say "ah-ah!" and shoo him outside.

When doggy goes outside, you act like he just cured cancer and throw a massive doggy celebration with treats and praise and pets.

The longest it's ever taken to be reliably house trained with an adult dog this way is a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Also, I would take them to the vet to rule out any medical issue before you tear your hair out fixing something that isn't behavioral. Unlikely that they both have a UTI or something at the same time, but it could happen.

I have house trained many fosters over the years. My preferred method is to crate them any time I am not watching them/interacting with them. If they are out of the crate, they are leashed to my belt loop or we are playing in a small area. I set a timer for going outside every 30 minutes the first day, increasing by 10 minutes a day. By the end of the week, we're at 90 minutes, and I find I can increase by 30 minutes at that point, until we're at 3 hours or so. I never push more than 3 hours unless the dog is crated.

I never punish for accidents in the house. Punishing makes them more likely to find a place to hide it, and I don't want them peeing behind furniture! If they pee in the house, then I screwed up, by giving them too much freedom.

What I will do is interrupt, so if I see him hiking his leg, I'll clap my hands and say "ah-ah!" and shoo him outside.

When doggy goes outside, you act like he just cured cancer and throw a massive doggy celebration with treats and praise and pets.

The longest it's ever taken to be reliably house trained with an adult dog this way is a few weeks.

Hiding it? Or going in a spot that isn't part of their normal accessible in house domain?

[Anonymous]

spot on training in dc!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Also, I would take them to the vet to rule out any medical issue before you tear your hair out fixing something that isn't behavioral. Unlikely that they both have a UTI or something at the same time, but it could happen.

I have house trained many fosters over the years. My preferred method is to crate them any time I am not watching them/interacting with them. If they are out of the crate, they are leashed to my belt loop or we are playing in a small area. I set a timer for going outside every 30 minutes the first day, increasing by 10 minutes a day. By the end of the week, we're at 90 minutes, and I find I can increase by 30 minutes at that point, until we're at 3 hours or so. I never push more than 3 hours unless the dog is crated.

I never punish for accidents in the house. Punishing makes them more likely to find a place to hide it, and I don't want them peeing behind furniture! If they pee in the house, then I screwed up, by giving them too much freedom.

What I will do is interrupt, so if I see him hiking his leg, I'll clap my hands and say "ah-ah!" and shoo him outside.

When doggy goes outside, you act like he just cured cancer and throw a massive doggy celebration with treats and praise and pets.

The longest it's ever taken to be reliably house trained with an adult dog this way is a few weeks.

Hiding it? Or going in a spot that isn't part of their normal accessible in house domain?

Like intentionally peeing under the bed or behind a chair or in a room where you won't see it, because they have made the connection that "if I pee in a room with that person, something bad happens". It's so much easier to house train a dog who doesn't try to find a secluded corner far away from me to pee!

[Anonymous]

OP here. The one dog does have a medical condition (an autoimmune) and so I know that is contributing. She is crated or wears a diaper when we are not home (neither of these things bother me). But, some of it IS behavioral.

We have done all the "normal" things that a PP suggested. Praising when she goes outside. Taking her out often. Consistent use of the words. Etc. But she still does it if we are not super, super vigilant. I'm about ready to lose my shit with her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The one dog does have a medical condition (an autoimmune) and so I know that is contributing. She is crated or wears a diaper when we are not home (neither of these things bother me). But, some of it IS behavioral.

We have done all the "normal" things that a PP suggested. Praising when she goes outside. Taking her out often. Consistent use of the words. Etc. But she still does it if we are not super, super vigilant. I'm about ready to lose my shit with her.

Both dogs should be crated when you are not home if they are not 100% house broken. Do not give them the opportunity to make a mistake.

Have you cleaned the house with an enzymatic cleaner? Something like resolve or bissel doesn't get out the enzymes that dogs smell. You want to get something like natures miracle or anti-icky poo or something else that will get rid of all of it.