Pup pees in house even after going out

[rudysmom1]

Our 10 wk old pup, male is being crate trained. Even after he goes out to potty, he still pees anywhere he feels like it, when we get back in the house. I praise big time and give a piece of treat when he goes outside. We make sure we give him at least 10-15 minutes to empty bladder before we go back inside.

Extremely frustrated. This has to be corrected. How can he pee in the house after he has been out for a while? What do I do to correct this peeing wherever in the house?

[Milkbones]

Good question, and one we went through when we got our male in 2001, from rescue. Okay, first off, take the dog to the vet to check to make sure he doesn't have a bladder infection. That's a common thing amongst bassets, so get that checked. Second, you seem to be leaving him outside for an adequate amount of time. We learned that male dogs generally do not empty their bladders in one pee, like our girls do, but after 10-15 minutes, that should be plenty of time. But, are you out there with him, making sure he actually is peeing? Sometimes they get distracted with other stuff and forget to pee. Third, crate training is good, but given his behavior, I'd keep him on an easily cleaned surface when he does have some freedom until he learns to control himself. A 10 week old pup still has a very long way to go in the way of housebreaking. You didn't say how often (or I don't remember) you take him outside (and I did see your post in the Drool, too), but he should be taken out quite often yet. He's still a baby, and until things start to click in his little brain, which takes time, he is not going to be at all reliable in the house. The best thing to do when you see him start to pee is to quick grab him and take him immediately outside, let him finish his job and praise him, emphasizing "potty outside" and "good dog". I know pups can be frustrating, believe me, I've dealt with pups since 1978, but it doesn't come quickly. When we got a pup, we'd have it outside at least every hour on the hour, and after meals, playtime, etc., gradually lengthening the time interval as the dog got older. Single dogs take longer (at least to me) to housetrain than if you have multiple dogs, as they seem to learn from each other. Lots of luck.

[Jenn]

I wish I could offer you some advice, but it looks like all the good advice has already been given to you! I guess I do have one thing I can add. I have read and heard that Bassets are not completely potty trained until about 18 months of age. The most important thing to remember is consistency. My Sophie is 19 months old and still has some accidents, mainly when there is a lot of activity and excitement. She sees all these people, but doesn't know which one to ask to go outside. When we were first trying to potty train her, we always took her outside about 10-15 minutes after she ate as eating stimulates the bowels and she would need to poo.

I also agree with checking out the possibility of a bladder infection. Sophie had a bladder infection at the beginning of the year and had to pee often and would go in her kennel overnight. She had never had that problem before, so that was a sign that something was wrong. Another thing you might try is to spend some time with you puppy on hardwood/tile/vinyl floors. I find that these are easier to clean up and don't hold on to the smell like carpet does.

Good luck!

[Houndkeeper]

You still have the tethering option too. For several weeks, even a month, keep him tethered to your belt loop with a short leash. Always tethered to you when n ot in his crate. When he starts to squat or hike, in a styartled voice say"Oh no" take him outside and when he goes praise, praise, praise. He will get it, but 10 weeks is way to young yet to be reliable. Bassets tend to take a long time. Remember, consistancy and patience.

[Milkbones]

Definitely consistancy and patience. And get that bladder checked, just in case. Both of mine have had bladder infections, and antibiotics can clear it up in no time if that's the case. Also remember, not all dogs are on a specific timetable, as far as housebreaking. My girls have pretty much been housebroken by a year, DJ...he took longer. Again, with that being the case, no freedom unless you can totally supervise with at least one eye on the dog, then rush the dog outside whenever there's a squat or hike (DJ doesn't hike). Lots of praise, tiny treats, too, if you want to go that route.