Question:
We have an adorable Bichon. But potty training has been a challenge. Sometimes he does exactly what he's supposed to do outside. Sometimes he goes out, does nothing and then goes inside. Sometimes, he just goes in the house. He sleeps on our bed all night and never has an accident. We crate him while we're at work and he never has an accident. We take him out before we leave and out as soon as we get home, but we have an "accident" almost every night...sometimes several times. We have been through periods where he's good about telling us when he needs to go outside...other times, there is just no indication, he just pees or poops.
Any suggestions for correction?
Answer:
Dale have you had him checked for a Urinary Tract Infection? You may need to go back to potty 101 and retrain. also is he pottying in the same area? His scent is there and may be thinking that since he can smell his scent, it is ok to potty there. Get a good odor eater product.
Answer:
Information on canine Urinary Tract Infections:
canine-dog-health/html/bladder_infection_in_dog.htm
online-dog-vet/html/urinary_tract.htm
Answer:
Knowing his age would help us guide you better. I would say it sounds like there is no schedule in his life. I believe he is so screwed up because he has not been kept on a schedule - routine.
Yes, get him checked for a UTI. And then get him on a schedule of every hour when you are home.
It may also have been that he was too young to go as long as you expected him to & had no choice but to go in the house.
oops, I see the age is there. I always miss it when it is the subj.
Answer:
You might want to consider crating him at night. Then feed his main meals at the points where he used to potty inside the house. My schnoodle had the same problem and I had good success with this method. He starts barking when he is in his crate at night and has to go. I got him from the shelter and he was quite a mess.
Also, have a potty cue like "hurry up" or "go potty" when you take him outside. Repeat the words until he goes, then prise him frantically. You may sound like an old broken record, but he eventual will start reacting to your cue and basical goes on command.