18 months old and still not housebroken - long

[ltldevil]

My 18 month old male is driving me to the edge... I don't know what to do, and I'm about to give up.. this has been going on for a year and a half now. When he was a puppy, we followed all of the textbook rules and guidlines for potty training. I don't need to repeat them, because the rest of this will be long enough, and I believe we all know wht they are...NO for going in the house, take them to their place.. praise.. give them an outlet to let you know that they need to go out.. (bell, door scratch, bark..etc.) Basically the bottom line is this:

He pees and poops in the house at the very first opportunity if I'm not there. But never when I'm around or awake. I take him on plenty of walks during the day.. and I still can't believe how much "stuff" comes out of his body.. I eat 4 x as much as he does and don't poop as much.. seriously. In the past I've tried changing his eating schedule and walking schedule.. that didn't work, so I studk with one for routine and went with it. It's been consistant for about 7 months now. He's 63 lbs and eats 3-4 cups dry food per day. He's healthy, fit.. but pees and poops like a hippo.

I walk him first thing when I get up at 9. Come home for lunch to let him out of his crate and walk him again. (He's still in his crate because he has not yet proven to be able to not pee and poop at least 3-4 times before I come home.. or destroy anything he can get his paws on) When I get home from work, I walk him again.. then once more before bed. I wouldn't walk him so many times if he didn't go in the house regardless if I was there...

So here's why I'm at the end of my ropes... He has now started pooping IN his crate when being alone for ANY period over an hour... and out of his crate.. regardless of last walk time, he'll poop and pee the second I walk out the door... For example:

The last 2 days after coming home.. we went on our walk at 7. He peed and pooped.. ( a lot, as he always does.. which is still AMAZING to me) I was home for an hour and a half, and left to go up the street to 7-11.. DROVE THERE and was home within 10 minutes... 1 pee and 1 poop waiting for me. Now he had just been on a walk AN HOUR AND A HALF EARLIER, and it wasn't that much poop or pee.. Not like he was dying and just had to go !!!

The SAME thing happened tonight.... and today I went out for a haircut, was gone 2 hours, and he pooped in his crate after going in IMMEDIATELY after a walk.

Also in the morning... at least 2 days a week... I'll wake up and find that he has pooped in the living room while I was sleeping.. So now I've had to baby gate my bedroom, so he cant get out if I'm not up... Well yesterday there was that strange smell that woke me up... yup.. a nice patty waiting for me at the side of my bed...

I've tried EVERYTHING.. Changing schedule.. spraying amonia around my place... a year ago I tried experimenting with changing his diet in case his food was upsetting him... got him tested for UTI's and digestive problems.. NOTHING.. he's fit as a fiddle... physically... mentally.. I'm not so sure now.. He seems to know that I don't approve of it... and that shows by the fact that he ony does it while I'm sleeping or gone...

Why does he do this given the FIRST OPPORTUNITY??

I can't EVER bring ANYONE home with me... I have to invite people over, so as to not walk into a house with piles of poop and pee ALL OVER THE PLACE.. This is cursing my life and I NEED IT TO STOP !!!~!

PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[EAO76]

I agree it may be separation anxiety. I'd find a really good behaviorist/ trainer to evaluate the situation. It will be worth the money. Just make sure it’s a good one (check references) that uses only positive training methods.

btw are his poops firm? or is he having Diarrhea? Also does he like his crate?

 

[SILLY6PAK]

I thought SA at first but he is relieving himself even when the owner is home. I was wondering what food you are feeding? It sounds like the cheap stuff. The better the food the less poo. My dog goes 2 x a day max and the biggest one is 75 pounds.
I do think you should check with the vet.

 

[bagwell56]

Hi-
First off, I would not spray amonia or use it to clean up any type of spill in the same area where a pet can smell it. I have read other post about using amonia and that is one of the worst things you can use. There are other cleaners to use that will help to clean up the smell and discourage same place bathroom issues.

SECOND AND MOST IMPORTANT- I am not questioning your methods or telling you that you are the one at fault. If you do love your Boxer and want to the both of you to be happy you need to step away for a few moments and focus on training.
I doubt this issue is just about the food your giving, saying its cheap stuff would not be a nice reply, some people may not be able to afford certian foods. But lets say for example it is the diet of your Boxer that is giving him the extra unload. Have you tried BARF, RAW or mixed in chicken and brown rice? Boxers do have sensitive stomach-1/2 cup of Paws ice cream put our girl on the Hershy Highway for a day and half!

What other excercise activites is your Boxer involved in? When you go for a walk is it just the walk to let him go to the bathroom? Have you tried to put your Boxer to work while you are out together?

What type of treats are you offering? How is the mental state when you are with him and how does he react to others in your family or when people come over. Does he get very clingy around the same time you are getting ready for work? If you can get back with some of these answers one of us can help you. Dont give up, it will all work out in the end. Hate to say that expression with your situation, but a little laughter helps.

talk to you soon

 

[ltldevil]

Thanks for the responses...

I feed him Canidae All Life Stages Dry food..... I've heard that this is very good, and his poops are nice and solid with good color..just a lot... His treats are Eukanuba adult biscuits (which are given ONLY during training refresh sessions or after he has completed successive commands)... the occasional greenie, and rawhide / bones to occupy him while I'm home... I don't give him these types of treats unsupervised.

My routine before I leave is kind of like this.. I get my keys. (which used to get Joey all wound up and he would follow me around like he knew I was going to leave... so I tried to change that)... and I bring them out to my car in the garage.. I then come back inside and continue to do a couple of more routine activities.. I then give Joey a Kong with a small amount of peanut buttter/ treat inside (alternate) and a treat ball with some kibble in it.. not a lot (enough to make him have to go).. just enough to entertain him... I then put the items in his crate and stay by him for a few minutes as to not let him associate the crate with me imediately leaving.. (I give him treats randomly every few days inside the crate while I'm home too to break the connection) After a little while of him playing.. I then leave for work with the jingling keys waiting for me in the garage..

My neighbors have also just informed me that about 10 minutes after I leave (I guess when the treats are gone) he barks for about 30 minutes in his crate... So that's THAT routine..

About the amonia.. the only reason why I've used that is not for cleaning purposes.. but for marking scents.. I read that using small amounts of amonia will trigger the association that the house is MY territory and not his... (this was for extreme cases.. so I read) I use Natures Miracle to actually clean the mess...

He gets lots of exercise during the week... I take him to the dog park 2-3 times a week... When we go for walks.. YES.. these are ONLY for pee/poop sessions.. (about 15 minute walks 4 X /day... and yes.. he poops on every one) for other activities, he is off leash in my fenced yard for fetch/chase/hide and seek.. etc.

His mental state when we are together seems perfectly normal.. always wants to play.. and I oblige most of the time... I instigate some of the time.. and let him know when he asks if now is not the time for play... He is next to me on the sofa while watching TV about 80% of the time.. and the other 20% he is fine sitting somewhere else or in another room altogether... and when I'm in my office on the computer, he is usually in the bedroom sleeping on the bed...

I also bring him in to work with me 1-2 times a week... and will go pretty much the whole day without a poop break and be fine... we go out to pee on the normal lunch schedule... but he goes the whole day without pooping.. so I know he doesn't HAVE to go as often as he does when I'm not there..

Thanks again for the help.. I hope this answered some of your questions, and gave you more insight... I would love to hear more if this info triggers other ideas!

 

[TNTGarner]

Part of the problem could be the amount of food you are feeding. For your size dog 50-75 lbs. as an adult should be getting 2-3 cups. I know when i fed my boxers Canidae for some reason they seemed hungry.. u can add yogurt, cottege cheese, fruits and veggies if he still seems hungry. This doesnt explain everything that is going on but its a start!

 

[EAO76]

It sounds like he has gotten in the habit of going in the house. He must believe if you don't see then its Ok go potty in the house. I’m not sure how would fix that since its happening when your not there. You’d have to somehow set him up for failure so you can correct him when he’s in the act. Are you still giving him treats and praise when he goes in the correct place? There can never be too much positive reinforcement. Also you might consider tethering him to you when your home so he never gets the chance to wander off and potty when your there I’m sorry your going through this it must be very frustrating.

 

[Lisieux]

Soory to hear that you are having so many problems - it must be wearing yu down.

I have heard that attaching your dog to your belt with a lead and never allowing him to be away from you to poop is a good habit breaker.

Going back to basics seems another good idea, I know that seemed to spend the whole of last winter in the garden toilet training my Sam.

Hope this habit is broken soon.

Regards.

 

[gracie&cam]

Alex-
I don't have a suggestion but wanted to just tell you that I think you're doing a great job and I'm sorry that it's so challenging! We'll be sending you good thoughts!

 

[erin'sdakota]

I commend your stick-to-itiveness! appicon I thought i was the only one with a dog not getting it. She's born July 2005-NJ. Dakota has improved except when it rains and alas i must don the raincoat - trudge to the field for her to fully empty! I are truly an inspiration - i belive in a dog for life even though sometimes it's a very different road then a prior dog from years before. I pray that Sam "clicks" soon or you'll have to stay at work for things to work well it seems :( I too don't have much company at my home for worry of the "not fresh house" smell - i have scheduled a rug shampooing.

Enjoy Sam....my fingers are crossed for you both!