Housebreaking my stubborn adult dog? HELP!?
I have a 10 lbs. Yorkie Lhasa mix. I feel that she is impossible to train. I have looked at all those tips online about scheduling your dog. But my schedule changes every day because I work in retail. She has ever been beaten or anything since I got her as a puppy but she probaby was a mill puppy.
I was never really able to potty train her because whenever I crated her she would go to the bathroom in her crate. I brought her home to my parents house and they have another dog who is not completely potty trained either. My mother and I are both upset that we cannot potty train her. I don’t want to have to give her up because I really love her but if she does not get potty trained soon I will have to. Please HELP me.
Read this:
http://www.mysmartpuppy.com/articles/Goesincrate.htm
Read the whole site; it’s worth it.
If your parents are at home, perhaps they can housebreak both dogs like this:
Go to the pet store and buy a flat buckle collar that will fit the dog and a matching six-foot leash, a plastic airline-style crate just big enough for the dog to lie down in, and a large bottle of Nature’s Miracle cleaner.
Go home. Put the collar on the dog.
Clean every place where the dog has urinated with the Nature’s Miracle. It takes away residual smell; dogs, especially males, like to pee on the scent of old pee.
New Routine:
The dog will be crated any time you can’t watch him.
When you are home, he can come out of the crate, but then you will clip the leash onto his collar and fasten the other end to your belt, so he will always be near you and you will be able to see when he starts sniffing around for a place to squat.
Pup must be taken out frequently; you’d rather take him out, on his leash, and do nothing, then find him peeing on your shoe. He must go out every time you open the crate, play with him, feed hm or wake him from a nap.
In order to actually housebreak him, start carrying his favorite treats in your pocket or by the door you take him out. When he does his business outside, say, “Hurry up, good boy”! When he’s finished, tell him, “Good hurry up!! Good boy!!” and give him treats. Make a huge fuss over what he just did. Do it every time for at least a full 60 seconds. He’ll think you’re insane, but he’ll take the prize. Trainers call it “jackpotting” –you’re impressing on him how GREAT it is when he goes outside.
When you catch him making his mistake in the house, IGNORE him. Don’t look at him, don’t let him interact with you, turn your back if he comes near you. Don’t talk to him. Take the leash off your belt and put him in the crate. Then just get the Nature’s Miracle and clean it up.
Once the mess is cleaned up, the incident is over. Act as if nothing happened. Treat him as you would if nothing had happened. Put the leash back on your belt, resume your activities.
Keep on taking him out often, on a leash, so you notice when he does his business, so you don’t miss a chance to treat and praise him. While you’re at the door, you say, “Want to go hurry up? Do you have to hurry up?” I prefer the keyword “hurry up” to “go potty” –it’s so much more dignified. 
Eventually, he’ll connect the keyword “hurry up” with relieving himself, and he may even go to the door to cue you. The first time he does that, jackpot him while still in the house, and then walk him outside and jackpot him again when he goes.
Home Dog Training Tips
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