Just another update on Hobbes....

[jonomo]

We adopted a few months back... and so far it's great.. i just thought I would post a few more pics...

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/piachy/hobbs3.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/piachy/hobbs2.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/piachy/hobbs1.jpg

He just loves being out doors and plays well with kids.. as a former street dog, he's adjusting just fine...

One problem we're having these days is Hobbes' bathroom.... when we first got him, we trained him to go in our hallway, which was tile... but the mailman passing mail under the door freaked him out..
So we trained him to go next to our balcony door... which was fine... but he developed a bit of an aiming problem.. he would want to pee RIGHT at the edge of the paper... he never did that before.. but 1 out of 4 times, he would miss a little...
So NOW we're trying to switch to our bathroom, which is tile.... he's doing good, but he'll sneak a pee in his old spot from time to time...
He only pees in the house once a day because we walk him in the morning and at night, but while we're at work, he goes once....
SOOO... is there anyway I can keep him from being tempted by his old spot? He's been doing well with the new location in the bathroom, but the mistake today is concerning me a bit....

[Karen]

Poor Hobbes, it sounds like he's getting really confused about where to go. Getting hold of the enzymatic cleaner discussed in the other thread is my first idea. I hope you can find some, it will really help!

Here are some cleaning tips for removing odours: http://www.sspca.org/CleaningStains.html

And a HSUS article on housetraining rules/ tips: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/housetraining.html

One other thing you might try is, after thoroughly cleaning the spot you DON'T want him to go in, feed him his supper there. I read that dogs instinctively want to keep their dens clean (where they eat and sleep), so that might help to reinforce that that area is part of his den and not to be soiled. I can't remember where I ever read that idea so I can't source it, sorry :(

Good luck. Housetraining is tough, I don't envy you.

[jonomo]

We blocked off his old area and he's doing good going into the bathroom to go... still has that aiming issue... and now when we take him for a walk, he takes FOREVER to go.. :(.. I don't have the time in the morning to walk him for as long as he wants~~~~

[cyrax]

Try feeding him before you go out on a walk. Dogs pee/poo after heavy exercise or after waking up or after having a meal.

[jonomo]

Uhmmm Hobbes doesn't like to eat in front of people... he kinda waits for us to leave or go to sleep before he chows down... I tried to play fetch with him in the mornings before I take him out.. but that wasn't much help either... :(....

[cyrax]

Ok. Sounds like there are more than one problems here.
First the food. He should eat when you put it down for him. That means that if he doesn't eat within 15-20 mins, he doesn't get to eat that meal. If it means that he doesn't get to eat for 2 continuous days, then so be it. Unless he has some medical issue, follow this rule. Eventually he will understand what's going on and gulp down the meal even if there is a nuclear war going on.
Second the walks. When you are training him to eat @ the time you wish him to eat, keep him on a regular two session 45mins walk. I am pretty sure that he will learn quickly.
However I have a hunch that you are not consistent with your training/commands/behaviour. If you are not consistent, it would be hard for your dog to predict what you want and that means that dog does stupid things.
He MUST have enough water available for him all the time. I leave a bowl of water all the time for my dogs regardless of whether they are undergoing training.