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View Full Version : My rat terrier is 1-1/2 years old. He pees every where. I punish him but he continues


nae123
Nov 10, 2011, 01:34 PM
My rat terrier is 1-1/2 years old. He pees every where. I punish him but he continues to pee every where. I don't know what to do any more. Somebody please help me out!

Wondergirl
Nov 10, 2011, 01:37 PM
Punishing him is the absolutely worst thing you can do!

What have you done so far with potty training and going outside? Has he been successful outdoors and this is a new problem?

ballengerb1
Nov 10, 2011, 01:38 PM
Do not punish your dog unless you see him in the act. 10 seconds after the act he has no idea why you are punishing him and this will break the trust you need to have between the two of you.

http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/tips?ga_campaign=dog+house+training&ga_adgroup=house+training+adult+dogs&ga_keyword=how%20to%20house%20train%20an%20adult%2 0dog&gclid=CLvhlY72rKwCFUfsKgodjlTOGA#_

There are plenty of books on house training and much on the 'net so read up. Crate him until this is fixed. Take him out for a walk 10 minutes after he eats or drinks. Walk him a mile a day, terriers need exercise just like the rest of the canine world.

Cat1864
Nov 10, 2011, 02:09 PM
Stop punishing him. He doesn't understand what 'punishment' is. All he knows is that you are upset, but not why.

You need to determine why he is peeing.

Is he intact (not neutered)? He could be doing what nature tells him to do-mark his territory. Desexing can help, but at his age there may still be 'accidents' because the habit has been learned.

Is he getting outside to go potty as often as he needs to? Do you leave him in the house with no access to the outside for long periods? Think about how often you go to the bathroom in a day.

If this new behavior, he may have something medically wrong such as a bladder infection. A trip to the vet can determine if he has any health issues. From there you will need to follow Dr.'s orders if there are any.

Have there been any changes that have him upset or stressed? Peeing (and sometimes defecating) can be a way for an animal tell us it is extremely upset/stressed. Punishing an already unhappy animal will only make the behavior worse. If he is new to your family, he may be acting out because of insecurity. Dogs are creatures of habit. When something disrupts what they 'know' it can cause them to act out in the only ways they know how. New babies, new furniture, new schedules, new people, so many things that we take in stride can turn their world upside down.

Has he been properly potty trained? Does he know how to let you know he needs to potty? When he gives indications that he needs to go are they reinforced by taking him outside or does he get ignored until someone takes the time to let him out?

Once you have an idea of what the issue(s) is you can begin to retrain him.

Edited to add: Do not punish him when he is the act. If you catch him lifting his leg or starting to pee, pick him up and with as little emotion or interaction as possible take him outside. Put him on the ground and wait patiently (do not play with him) until he goes potty. Once he does, give him lots of praise.