HELP!! Animal Control Has Been Here :/

[Paxtonbaby]

I am writing for someone else but this situation is getting a bit out of control.

Long story short, I came home the other day and found a notice from Animal Control because my roommate's Pomeranian was getting loose through some hole in the fence.

He has gone through the entire backyard and patched up any holes he can find but she was still out front when I got home today!!! She's quite the escape artist.

Now she has NEVER been crated or really even potty trained. When she got locked inside she pees and poops everywhere! She's also not on a feeding schedule or even has a crate.

Any suggestions on how to solve this problem? I think he should crate them (he has an American Eskimo as well) during the day and put them on a regular feeding schedule and attempt to potty train them? I'm not sure how old the AE is but the Pom is probably about 6 months old.

 

[Althea]

If he's a roommate, you need to put him on notice that the dogs have to immediately be gotten under control. Crate trained, and properly looked ofter. The pooping and peeing will stop when they are trained -- it takes time. But especially if you are living in the same house; you don't want to bring your boxer home to this. If anything happens, you'll be looked at as a guilty party, too, and it could put your pup at risk.

I hope this works out!

 

[Paxtonbaby]

I know!!! There are two crates sitting outside!I think he'll feel guilty leaving them in a crate, but maybe if I convince him they're good for potty training and keeping them safe.

Is it possible to potty train an adult dog? I'm sure it will take time but maybe with a puppy learning at the same time it'll be easier, or maybe it's just wishful thinking

 

[sriley]

I think he should crate them (he has an American Eskimo as well) during the day and put them on a regular feeding schedule and attempt to potty train them?

I think you've answered your own question. All of the above would be beneficial. A regular feeding regime should make a big difference in terms of potty training as long as someone is dedicated to keeping an eye on the dogs and ensuring that they get out for regular bathroom breaks. Dogs don't usually mess in their crates. Of course, if the person in question plans to leave a dog in a crate all day, the likelihood of success will be low. A puppy simply cannot be expected to "hold it" for extended periods of time. Likewise, a puppy shouldn't be left outside all day long without supervision. Your roommate is lucky the dog didn't get injured or worse (there are plenty of sick people out there who wouldn't hesitate to do unspeakable things to a harmless animal). Hopefully the Animal Control warning will make your roommate take pet ownership a little more seriously.

 

[brindlepup]

Maybe tell your roommate that potty training and crate training your dog is not being mean, it is being a responsible pet parent. You wouldn't let your human child grow up never learning how to use the bathroom or leave them in situations where they could potentially be harmed and you shouldn't with your animal children. I also think once your roommate has put in the time potty and crate training his animals he will realize how much more enjoyable life is for everyone. And yes, older dogs CAN be potty and crate trained. It just takes a lot of patience. Remember to praise and treat constantly, clean up messes with vinegar and water or with a product specially designed for urine and feces (Nature's Miracle works well), keep to a regular feeding and potty schedule and use a crate that just gives the dog enough room to lie down at first. I used a crate with an adjustible divider that I could move back as my Butch became more and more reliable. If the dog has too much room to move at first he or she might just urinate or poop in one corner (or out the side onto the surrounding floor as my flexible pooch did). Once you have had several days with no accidents you can move the divider back an inch. After a few more day, another inch and so on. Also always be sure to give a favorite treat, toy and lots of praise when they go into the crate and when they potty appropriately. Be proactive rather than punish after the fact. If you don't catch the dog peeing or pooping inapproprately just clean up and let it go; yelling at the dog after the deed has been done and forgotten will only get you an anxious dog.

 

[Paxtonbaby]

Thank you!

I've started trying to help him out with potty training. I feel bad for the dogs because when they go outside and want to come back in, they try to use the doggy door, but it's blocked off.
I gave them both treats and plenty of positive praise when they went outside. The older one isn't so bad inside, she only had a few accidents when he shut her in before the young one came along.
I'll definitely get him to stay on top of it though and hopefully talk him into crating them when no one is home. Usually after 5 someone is always here anyway so they'd only be in while everyone's at work.