Scarlett or I Will Be Sleeping in Pajamas

[Olive600]

For those who aren't up on the drama, the newly adopted dog turns out not to be housebroken or much of anything else. Just as soon as I think we're making progress, she does her business in the house immediately after we've gone through the routine that she's responded to previously. Now I'll try going out with her first thing in the morning--she came back in and peed on Olive's bed--so I can watch her pee. No more assuming just because she's done things a certain way for the last month that she'll keep it up. Standing in the backyard requires pajamas and both dogs need to go out the minute they stir in the morning. So, I'll be wearing pjs to bed.

[Olive600]

She did it again, after I used the Nature's Miracle and washed Olive's bed. I turned my back for a moment, just a moment, and she ran over there and peed. I don't expect responses from anyone, I'm just venting. Honestly, I'm about at my wits end with this. It's really getting to me.

[Azusateach]

You know, I went through 2 cats (siblings) peeing in my house for years. I had carpet runners along every wall in every room and owned stock in vinegar. That said, I think there's a time when you have to say enough is enough. Maybe seeing if there's someone who doesn't have plans to spend extended time in an RV and can figure out another way to deal with her issues is the best for both her and you. My next door neighbor just had to do that with an over-the-top rescue she'd gotten. She was as sweet as the day was long, but she was making her calm(!) dalmation a nervous wreck with all her barking. So she contacted the people she'd gotten her from and they took her back, telling her not to worry -- sometimes things just don't work out.

I feel your pain. You want so desperately for things to work, but sometimes they just don't.

Laura

[bluepinecones]

Hang in there, some dogs take longer to learn about such things than others

[OregonLuvr]

Some dogs just never get "it" either. I would invest a certain amount of time and then I would call it quits. I could not have a dog that did that in my house or RV. Some dogs even with a doggy door dont get the "we do not go potty in the house". Just depends what you are willing to put up with.

[JoanE]

Nikki, my post disappeared but our solution may help you. We had a terrible problem when we adopted a second dog. I got a crate and strictly restricted her access to food and water. Feed her and immediately take her out then back in crate. No water during the night. Our dog responded so quickly, it was miraculous. We were able to do away with the crate and she lived happily with us in our home.

Good luck.

[Olive600]

Thanks everyone for the responses. Joan, did your dog spend all her time in a crate? I've crated Scarlett. She gets absolutely hysterical and the crying just goes on and on. Imagine the worst dog sounds you can and she can keep it up for at least 30 minutes. That's about my limit before I let her out and just keep her with me. Thanks, again.

[JoanE]

Thanks everyone for the responses. Joan, did your dog spend all her time in a crate? I've crated Scarlett. She gets absolutely hysterical and the crying just goes on and on. Imagine the worst dog sounds you can and she can keep it up for at least 30 minutes. That's about my limit before I let her out and just keep her with me. Thanks, again.

Yes, we kept her crated except for taking her out after eating. We would then have some play time after she did her business, then back in the crate. Her "conversion" happened very quickly. I don't know why this worked but I read it in a dog training book. It was the only thing I read in the book. We just didn't know what to do. Nothing else we tried (of our own device)worked.

Joan

[Olive600]

Thanks, Joan. Do you remember how she reacted to being crated, especially at first? And can you estimate how long it took before she learned to go outside? Does she let you know she needs to go out? Or is she on a schedule? Any info will help.

Nikki

[Redetotry]

I think you might want to make notes on how this is affecting your quality of life and how Scarlett is reacting. If your life is centered on this dog 24/7 with not much improvement maybe it just isn't the right match for all of you. (((Hugs))) I know this is a hard decision.

[Bethers]

A few things you may want to read:

http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/house ... sebreaking

http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/Potty% ... Basics.htm

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/he ... y-age.aspx

I think you might get some good info, especially in the details in the 2nd two.

And I think she might be trying to "claim" Olive's bed - like how a dog will pee on another's pee - trying to be dominant. You may have to remove that bed for now - as it seems to be an attraction that she thinks it's ok to use to p on.

[Olive600]

Thanks, Redetotry (I wish I knew your name) and Beth. I'll take all your suggestions and read the articles.
R, I think you mean is how is Scarlett's behavior affecting Olive. Scarlett's crying and peeing visibly upset her. When I correct Scarlett, Olive thinks I'm correcting her and she's very sensitive, so she spends a lot of time apologizing in her way. And the situation sure isn't enhancing my quality of life. I hate doing it, but Scarlett is going to spend a lot of time in her crate until she changes her behavior or I give up. Intellectually I know I should get out sooner rather than later. As many of you have said, sometimes these adoptions just don't work out. But emotionally I'm not there, yet. Thanks again for the support.

Nikki

[monik7]

In training my dogs, I used newspapers spread in the garage. I always observed when they were supposed to be doing their business so I was aware of what had been done all day. If they didn't go when taken, I would be sure to take them back again very soon after until they finally did it. I just kept taking them VERY often to the garage and the papers. It took very little time for them to begin running to the papers when we entered the garage. I didn't pick up the papers every day so there was a certain amount of odor from the #1 left on them and that may have encouraged them to go back to the papers. I always picked up the #2 because on occasion puppies are tempted to eat it (ACK!). But you might be able to leave some #2 with an older dog just to show her that's where to go. Eventually they learned to go in the yard but that was later. With my current puppy, I now live in a townhouse with no yard, so the papers are what we use except when we go for walks.
Sandi

[Olive600]

Thanks, Sandi. I just read about using paper and had never considered it before. Good to know.

Beth, I'd watched the video before and thought I was following the vet's advice. What I realize now is that I was but only to a point. So, I'm fine tuning and rededicating myself to Project PoopandPee.

Sandi, that's project #1and#2 for you.

Joan, I'm using your crating suggestions.
She's in her crate now with minimal fuss. She should sleep for a couple hours, and then we start again.

Redetotry, I'm giving Scarlett and myself until the end of the month unless the affect on Olive gets worse. I'm also going to spend more time alone with Olive. We'll take our evening walk without Scarlett.( I've learned that little dogs don't need real walks, play in the yard is enough exercise. )Scarlett loves her walks and knows how to position her head and legs for to put on her harness, but I'm afraid she'll be left home for a while. I end up carrying her most of the time, anyway. She just can't last very long in the heat, even in the evening.

Nikki

[Bethers]

And please remember, out really does no good to yell at them or even, in most cases, to correct them when they make the mistake. Doing what's necessary to be able to use positive reinforcement when she does right is the best.