I have an ADORABLE little 4 month old Cavalier King Charles. She lives to love me and my husband. She is submissive and obedient (we have had her for a short time and she already responds to verbal commands like sit, come, stay and her name). However, the breeder must have just left her in a crate in the house since she was born, because she doesn't seem to understand the whole thing about puppies not liking to pee in their living space. How do you teach a dog something all the books say is instinctual?

Is she pottying elsewhere in the house or is she toherwise housebroken? When and how often do the accidents occur?

Well, I try to only keep her in the kitchen (where the hardwood floors are) if I know she hasn't gone to the bathroom in a while. So she mostly only pees on the kitchen floor (which is where we keep her crate) and has peed in her crate twice. Accidents occur about twice a day, sometimes more.

Okay, you are going to want to work on housebreaking her period. She has learned that that is where she should go potty and she is going to have to unlearn that. It is going to take time and a whole lot of patience. Getting the hang of where she is suppose to go will definitely help.

You need to get a good pet stain cleaner or any that removes enzymes and clean the area crate, bedding, anything that has been peed on thoroughly. Even if you can't see or smell it the scent flag will still be there saying "potty here".

You are going to need to take her out very frequently to give her to opportunity to go outdoors, when she does make a big deal of it and give her an especially yummy treat. She is a bit older and has a bit better bladder control which should work to your advantage.

Make especially sure you take her out after every meal and naps.

That helps. That is exactly what we are doing. I was hoping I was missing the magic bullet, but time may be the answer. Thanks!

Cavaliers are notorious for being hard to toilet train.

Follow Silverfoxkits advice and hopefully you will have it fixed soon :)