We took in this 2 year old maltepoo and he doesn't seem to mind using his crate as a bathroom. I thought my kids weren't letting stay out long enough but he has done it now to myself and my husband. We take him out and he'll either pee a little or do nothing at all and then go in his crate. I know he can hold it. He does it over night. It seems to be when we leave him during the day. His previous owner left him out and let him go on a towel in the bathroom. I have tried everything I know and really like the dog but can't keep up with having to bathe him and all involved in this. Please help!!

labman

Read through the sticky on housebreaking including the the part at the end on older dogs at http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/in...tml#post251809 You could try putting an old towel outside and see if he will use it. The grid I suggest in the sticky helps on urination, but less so with stools.

He may do better if he accepts you being in charge. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss