Frequently, adult dogs adopted from the shelter were housetrained in their previous homes. While at the shelter, since it is a shelter and not a home, they may have lost their housetraining.
Additionally, scents and odors from other pets in the new home may stimulate some initial urine marking. Remember that you and your new pet need time to learn each other’s signals and routines. We always encourage new pet owners to give a pet at least two weeks, before they decide the pet isn’t working out. The best approach when bringing your new pet home is to assume they are not housetrained and start from scratch. This process should go quickly for the previously housetrained dog.
Most important thing is to set a routine. Take your dog out at the same times every day. Praise your dog lavishly every time he eliminates outdoors. Choose a spot not far from the door to be the bathroom spot. Take your new pet on a leash to that area and only after he has eliminated take him for a walk or play. Feed your pet at a set time every day which will help make him eliminate more regularly.
Don’t leave your pet unsupervised in your home until you have fully trained or reinforced prior training. When you are unable to watch your pet confine him in a crate or a room, be sure and let him go outside as soon as you take him out of confinement.
When your pet makes a mistake (and he will) here are some tips. If you catch him make a loud noise that will interrupt his elimination and immediately take him out to his bathroom spot, praise him, and give him a treat if he finishes eliminating there. Don’t punish your dog for eliminating in the house. Animals don’t understand punishment after the fact, so it will do more harm than good.
Cleaning the soiled area is very important because dogs are highly motivated to continue soiling in areas that smell like urine or feces.
If you are following the housetraining plan and your dog is still eliminating in the house there may be other reasons for his behavior. Here are some problems that could cause a dog not to be housetrained: medical problems, submissive/excitement urination, territorial urine-marking, separation anxiety, and fears or phobias. When all else fails check with your veterinarian and see if there is a physical problem that he can help with.
Remember to spay or neuter your pets to reduce the number of unwanted pets in our local shelters. If you are looking for a new friend you can see many of our available pet at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/TX519.html, come to the shelter and visit our pets or come to Pet Sense in Sulphur Springs on Saturday from 10-5 to meet a new friend. September 10 during the Fall Festival we will be holding a dog show and you can pre-register at Pet Sense in Sulphur Springs. There are many categories and we look forward to everyone having a wonderful time with their pet.
If you would like to volunteer at the shelter we are currently taking applications. Call Becky at 903/496-2412 or email at commercepets@yahoo.com. We are a non-profit, no-kill shelter and 100% volunteer driven. Come join our passion to save lives.