The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Hi all.

I wonder if someone could offer any advice as frankly I'm at a bit of a loss now. Toby is 12 weeks and doing great in most things except he just keeps weeing in the kitchen/utility (he's not allowed anywhere else in the house because of this). He's crated and every single time he wakes up I get him straight outside and say "toilet" and he goes straight away but when he's inside, he just squats anywhere and makes no attempt to go outside, even if he is only inches away from the open door. The floor is vinyl and washed as soon as he wees so there shouldn't be any scent. Sometimes, he runs in from the garden to wee inside, getting it back to front

With his poops, he's doing great - he runs out like greased lightning to go outside so I just don't understand the problem with his wees. Any advice would be so welcome. Thanks. Oh, just thought of one other thing - his first wee is a normal amount then 2 or 3 minutes later he'll do one or two tiny wees. I've mentioned this to the vet who says he could be marking his territory. Anyone else had a puppy who does 2 or 3 wees straight after each other?

Melanie I have no cures but suggestions ... maybe keep him outside longer? If he's got the poop thing down the pee shouldn't be out of reach. Zoey was the opposite as pup. she did not want to poop outside.. I think she felt to exposed outside, but eventually we got it.

Thanks becky - I know we'll get there in the end. He spends a lot of time outside in the garden and loves it, but still just wees when in the house. It's almost like he doesn't want to make any effort to go out if it's just for a wee. I just keep saying a firm "no" and take him outside when he does it. I'm sure that will work eventually.

When you said "I just keep saying a firm 'no' and take him outside when he does it. I'm sure that will work eventually." it reminded me of an office joke sent to me years ago that said: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Unfortunately, every time he has an "accident" in the house, it makes him think it's OK to go in the house. Go back to house training 101. If you're fanatical to make sure he NEVER goes in the house again, he will learn quicker. Keep him crated, tied to you with a leash or closely watched. Use an enzyme cleaner like Nature's Miracle not just soap & water if you aren't already. Take him out frequently. When you take him out, make sure you consistently give him the command to go in a cheery voice and give him praise and treats when he does go. I would have him neutered as soon as your vet says it is OK so he doesn't learn to mark. When he comes back in & urinates, could this be submissive/excitement urination or is he actually lifting his leg and marking or is he just emptying his bladder? You need to know because each is a different problem. If he's simply urinating again in the house when he comes back in, put him in his crate for 10-20 minutes and take him outside again. It might also help to take him to an obedience or puppy class if he hasn't been to one yet.

Esther has good advice. I would add that it would be worth your while to take him out on lead each time till he understands that he's to go outside. If he is loose and on his own when outdoors he may not be going potty.. just playing. There are a lot of distractions... try to keep his attention on potting .. a treat for him may be that you let him play outside once he's gone.

When you catch him going inside... just calmly say no ~ outside! Pick him up (interrupt if need be) and take him out. Wait till he finishes going and praise him for going Outside!

Keep him on lead when not crated so you can rush him out the door quickly. Someone once told me not to clean up the mess in their presence but I don't remember why. At this point I'd probably be willing to try anything.

One last story ... at one of my many appointments when Chessie was a pup my vet asked me how potty training was going. I said GREAT! She hasn't had an accident yet! He was very surprised and pleased to hear it was going so well till I added.... Nope no accidents... she does it on purpose!

Good luck!

[quote="Esther H-B"]When you said "I just keep saying a firm 'no' and take him outside when he does it. I'm sure that will work eventually." it reminded me of an office joke sent to me years ago that said: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Doing the same thing over and over when training equates to consistency, which as most of us know, is imperitive for successful training. As for doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results - I am hoping for the same result not many different results i.e. a fully housetrained pet, so I'm not sure how you come to that conclusion. I don't class this as fanatical either, most people prefer their pets to toilet outside! Otherwise, thanks for your comments. Oh and Toby does not cock his leg yet - I've never yet known a 12 week old pup that cocks it's leg but I'm willing to stand corrected!!

Sorry you misunderstood my comments.