Jennie
09-16-2003, 08:51 PM
Hello everyone! Just thought I'd give a Baxter and Bailey housebreaking update, and see if those who have walked this road can enlighten me on what the next steps likely are. I know every dog is different, just thinking about getting some idea of what's to come. Also, thought others could see what's to come for them too.
For a little background, my puppers are 7 and 6 1/2 months old. They are from different breeders, but have been together since May 7. They were neutered on September 2.
Bailey has been my little tinkler. We had been having tons and tons of trouble with him leaving me little spots all over the house, often more than 5 times an hour! He was also my submissive urinator. He seems to have mostly outgrown the submissive urination thing, and has only peed on my brother-in-law recently (which I really wasn't that upset about - but that's another story). When I had him neutered, I also had a urinalysis done. The vet thought he was in the beginning stages of a UTI (I personally think more than beginning stages). He was on antibiotics until last Saturday, and today's urinalysis came back clear.
We've made much progress in the housebreaking area over the last few weeks. I now confine both boys to the living/kitchen area when we are downstairs, and the hobby room (where I am now) when we are upstairs. This has helped immensely, and we've had many pee-free days. I honestly don't remember the last poop in the house either.
While we are making extensive progress, we're not there yet. I am curious about a couple of things. First, Baxter seems not to ever tell me he wants out. Instead, he just waits until I take Bailey out and he follows. Sometimes I see him sniffing around and he sniffs several spots. If I say "Baxter go outside" he will run to the door. Bailey, on the other hand, seems to have figured out the door thing, and he'll go sit in front of the door when he wants out. However, he doesn't tell me he wants out, I just have to hope I see him. If I don't, he'll go find a spot in the living room and go. This leads to my first question - is this normal progress? I'm excited he'll go to the door, but really wish he'd either tell me or hold it longer. I'm sure we'll get there, but are the accidents in the house setting us back, or is this normal?
Next, while they seem to have mostly learned that the living room and hobby room are not places to go, any other room in the house is fair game. They'd both rather pee in the dining room than go to the door (at least to this point). That's why they're not allowed in those rooms. I've heard that they come to see the house as an extension of their den, one room at a time. If this is the case, am I doing a disservice by not allowing them in other rooms? Most of these rooms they will never need to be in. But, one of the rooms they still pee in if I don't watch closely enough is my bedroom. I think there may be some leftover smell from when Bailey would urinate as soon as he came out of his crate (during his submissive urination days). I know there are a few stains I have been unable to remove.
So, to make a long question short (I know, I know - way too late for that), does our progress sound pretty normal? What can I expect next? Any suggestions from those who have "been there"? One thing I forgot to mention is that I do treat them each time they go outside, and they've really got that figured out!
Thanks in advance!
Jennie
For a little background, my puppers are 7 and 6 1/2 months old. They are from different breeders, but have been together since May 7. They were neutered on September 2.
Bailey has been my little tinkler. We had been having tons and tons of trouble with him leaving me little spots all over the house, often more than 5 times an hour! He was also my submissive urinator. He seems to have mostly outgrown the submissive urination thing, and has only peed on my brother-in-law recently (which I really wasn't that upset about - but that's another story). When I had him neutered, I also had a urinalysis done. The vet thought he was in the beginning stages of a UTI (I personally think more than beginning stages). He was on antibiotics until last Saturday, and today's urinalysis came back clear.
We've made much progress in the housebreaking area over the last few weeks. I now confine both boys to the living/kitchen area when we are downstairs, and the hobby room (where I am now) when we are upstairs. This has helped immensely, and we've had many pee-free days. I honestly don't remember the last poop in the house either.
While we are making extensive progress, we're not there yet. I am curious about a couple of things. First, Baxter seems not to ever tell me he wants out. Instead, he just waits until I take Bailey out and he follows. Sometimes I see him sniffing around and he sniffs several spots. If I say "Baxter go outside" he will run to the door. Bailey, on the other hand, seems to have figured out the door thing, and he'll go sit in front of the door when he wants out. However, he doesn't tell me he wants out, I just have to hope I see him. If I don't, he'll go find a spot in the living room and go. This leads to my first question - is this normal progress? I'm excited he'll go to the door, but really wish he'd either tell me or hold it longer. I'm sure we'll get there, but are the accidents in the house setting us back, or is this normal?
Next, while they seem to have mostly learned that the living room and hobby room are not places to go, any other room in the house is fair game. They'd both rather pee in the dining room than go to the door (at least to this point). That's why they're not allowed in those rooms. I've heard that they come to see the house as an extension of their den, one room at a time. If this is the case, am I doing a disservice by not allowing them in other rooms? Most of these rooms they will never need to be in. But, one of the rooms they still pee in if I don't watch closely enough is my bedroom. I think there may be some leftover smell from when Bailey would urinate as soon as he came out of his crate (during his submissive urination days). I know there are a few stains I have been unable to remove.
So, to make a long question short (I know, I know - way too late for that), does our progress sound pretty normal? What can I expect next? Any suggestions from those who have "been there"? One thing I forgot to mention is that I do treat them each time they go outside, and they've really got that figured out!
Thanks in advance!
Jennie