Frustrated boxer owner

[jackthelad]

Hi, Jack is 9 months old now and has been neutered on the vets advice due to a retained testicle. He is happy and healthy in every way. My problem is he isn't fully house broken yet. When myself or my girlfriend are in the house Jack always asks to go out for the toilet. However, during the night he will just wander on the carpet and go there. Likewise, when he is alone in the house he will quite happily pee on the carpet. He isn't left for long periods. He was crate trained from 8 weeks old but over the last 2 months has decided that he hates the crate and has destroyed two of them while we were out the house. I am afraid he will cause himself injury as there was sharp metal everywhere! He will also pee his crate when put in it nowadays. It is the correct size and I have tried removing his blanket to no avail. Again he isn't left for long periods.

The vet has ruled out a UTI. I always praise lots when he does go outside (i still have him on the leash on toilet breks) and he gets into trouble when "caught in the act" indoors. He knows he isn't allowed to pee on the carpet so why does he do it? Is it because he thinks he can get away with it when everyone is out or sleeping? He is an extremely clever boxer so I don't understand. Am I going wrong somewhere?

I am so frustrated and I am stumped for a solution. Has anyone else experienced this sort of behavior? I would appreciate any sort of feedback that would help.

Thanks!

 

[LILYLARUE]

Sounds like a case of seperation anxiety. There are many threads here with many suggestions on overcoming this - SA & housetraining. Do a search, there are many great threads!

 

[ehayes21]

It doesn't sound like true SA, it sounds like he's just doesn't get the concept of housetraining yet. What you need to do is back up in the house breaking department. Put him on a tighter schedule and employ some tasty treats and lavish praise for when he's successful outside. You might want to start with potty breaks every 1.5 - 2 hours and then slowly cut back. For the times you are gone, instead of the crate is there a room you can block him off in so you're not allowing full roam of the house? This would also be a good idea for bed time as well. The key is really never giving him the opportunity to go inside the house - so this means staying on top of his potty schedule and restricting his access when he can't be watched.

 

[BoxerMom999]

Is he going out late in the evening and is he finishing his business? Sometimes distractions occur and the deed is not completed. How long is it between the last outing of the night and the first outing in the morning?

 

[apollosdad]

It doesn't sound like true SA, it sounds like he's just doesn't get the concept of housetraining yet. What you need to do is back up in the house breaking department. Put him on a tighter schedule and employ some tasty treats and lavish praise for when he's successful outside. You might want to start with potty breaks every 1.5 - 2 hours and then slowly cut back. For the times you are gone, instead of the crate is there a room you can block him off in so you're not allowing full roam of the house? This would also be a good idea for bed time as well. The key is really never giving him the opportunity to go inside the house - so this means staying on top of his potty schedule and restricting his access when he can't be watched.

i agree. and i would also add that making sure he gets plenty of exercise before being crated and giving him some chew toys, such as a kong, to keep them occupied when left in there should help distract him from getting bored or destroying his crate.