My 2 dogs have developed a habit of doing their business in my kitchen. It began as an acting out, though for what reason I still haven't figured out. But it has become such a habit that even though they do know better, they do it anyway, just because. I've tried blocking it off but they just climb over whatever is there, even if it means tipping over furniture. I've doused the whole floor in "bitter barrier", vinegar, baby powder, cleaned it with bleach, ammonia, dish soap and "OUT!" I even tried an electric shock system designed to keep them out of specific areas but they just got as close as they could and did it there. They do it when I'm at home and I can't can't crate them 24/7. How do I break the habit of going in that spot?

I should add that I've done my damnedest to retrain them and to resolve whatever issue is/was causing them to act out. Its not that they don't know better and they also do it when they kind of have to go but just don't really feel like going out. Its like they just can't help themselves.

Can you gate them in the kitchen? If it becomes their area they'd be less likely to do their business in that room and it shouldn't move the behavior to another room.

Not sure what types of restraining you've done with them but I also recommend that you ignore them when they do their business in the kitchen until you have it all the cleaned up - do not say a word to them or yourself because that's a reward to them. You should pair that with lots of praise when they do their business outside. Hope this advise helps you.

That's what I do every time. I could try to block them in there but I doubt it would be any more successful than trying to block them out. Since its an apartment, the kitchen isn't closed off in any way and the hard floors make it easy for furniture to slide so there's nothing to prop up a baby gate. I blocked it off with chairs and the sofa and they toppled the furniture climbing over it. I've tried putting their beds there but they just went on their beds. Apparently they're VERY stubborn and determined.

And why in the world does this site think suspicious spots on men's genitalia are similar questions??

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Originally Posted by petmomof4

And why in the world does this site think suspicious spots on men's genitalia are similar questions???

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Those are on a different board, not the Dogs board. This site accepts questions on many, many different topics.