I just adopted a 2 1/2 year old labradoodle from a breeder who was getting rid of her. We were told she was housebroken but seems to only go inside or when she is left alone. She is also not leash trained (having spent all of her life in a crate) so in the past week she has yet to go pee or poop on a walk.
Congratulations on the adoption! I would implement a maximum security supervision system. She should be in either one of four places at all times: 1) Tethered to an adult 2) In the backyard to toilet 3) Crated 4) In a mid-size dog proof area
Tethering only works if she's somewhat familiar with the leash. If she freaks out and thrashes around with leash pressure, you can't tether. Crating only works if she won't toilet in her crate. I'd also use a timer and take her out every 30 minutes.
I actually just had 2 "crate" dogs that have been rescued and now they're not! Had same issues. My advise is 2 fold, routine and patience. I trained them within a week and both are doing great! I have a set schedule for feedings and outings. the more the better-set examples :) do things together!
Also when they go outside speak to them and praise them! I have done this with my own dogs and have not had any issues. I always say..good girl, go pee outside! sounds silly but dogs are smart and when I say, lets go outside they know what I am referring to! You can reward them with treats or love :
Thank so much for the tips!
My husband and I don't believe in crating. We have had the pleasure of adopting quite a few puppies and adult dogs in our 38 years of marriage. Patience, consistency and a routine seems to be what worked best for us. The dog needs to get to know your routine and you the dogs routine. First thing in the morning before anything else is a potty break. Then breakfast. About 30 minutes to an hour later is a walk. (What goes in most come out at some point). If the dog doesn't go then try a walk 30 minutes later. Then we go out again around 10:00 AM, AGAIN AT 1:00PM, 3:00PM, 5:00PM is dinner, out at 6:00 PM again at 9:00PM then one last time at 10:00PM. Repeat in the morning. Keep this up for two weeks and be consistent and you soon will both figure out the dogs pattern. At first as your getting to know your dog you should take her out 30 minutes after you know your dog drinks. We always take our dog out one last time just before we go to bed and he is good until morning. If you pay close attention you will probably realize your dog is letting you know when they need out. Standing or sitting by the door is one way one of our dogs let us know. Our latest rescue sits and stares at us if he needs out. Just astablish a routine and be consistent and it's should happen quickly. Also take your dog out before you leave and back out again as soon as you get home. Being in a crate all day long doesn't seem like much of a "rescue" or way of life for a dog.
You can take her outside and just let her stay outside with you to see if she will poop or not. You can also crate train her so that she will not pee all over the house.
Wow, if she spent all of her two years in a crate that wasn't a breeder but a puppy mill. Be prepared for MANY issues. Definitely do some research on how to socialize/train dogs from puppy mills. It will help give you insight into her thinking and give you more patience when she misbehaves. In future try not to buy animals from people like that, it only gives them the encouragement to do that to more animals. (If no one bought from them, they'd quit and do something eles)
One thing I heard suggested that seemed to work for adult dogs was this: Take them over to the accident, point at it and talk really depressed and disappointed about it. "Oh baby, this is not good. I can't believe you do this. I'm so sad that you had a accident. Mama is not happy." Then immediately take them outside and switch to upbeat. "Oh! Yes! Outside! This is where you go potty. Go potty outside. Yes! You can do it! I believe in you. Go potty outside and be good girl. I like the potty outside. Yes, good. Very good!"
I've taught my puppy the words "outside" "potty" "good" so then I make sure to always praise her with those words whenever we're outside. Or if she potties outside. Both create a happy situation for her, so naturally she tries to figure out what she did to recreate such an excited, positive experience again.
I would suggest this for sure if she's a quick or smart learner. Otherwise teach her that her kennel is her "den" or her "safe place". feed her dinner, give her fun toys and the best chew bones while she's in there. kenneling with frequent potty breaks or leashed directly to you is the usual way to go. Don't worry if she doesn't go to the bathroom for some days. She probably learned to hold it extra long due to not wanting to soil her kennel. Eventually she'll go, just make sure you're ready with the praise and treats.
Best Wishes!
Michael, is that you? Ha. This is exact same story with us. Adopted a 2 year old lab. back in Nov.
Our solution: kennel train. She didn't go in the kennel. So we just kept her in there when we were away or couldn't keep strict watch over her.
Patience is the next best advice we can give. The moment you take her out of the kennel, take her for a walk and don't come back until she goes. At first, it's going to take a while. I remember one day I was getting especially annoyed -- 45 minutes! And she finally decided to go. :/
Our rule is: if she goes, she can free roam the house. Else, she goes right back into the kennel and we try again in 30 or so minutes.
Today, now 7 - 8 months later, she's allowed to free roam most of the time, but we still keep her kennel bound for feeding and bedtime (and in the car when traveling)
We still have pulling issues, and leash aggression. But we're working on those independently: prong collar while walking, slow introductions to other dogs. If we see a dog on a walk, we intentionally get ourselves between her and the other dog.
Crating will keep the mess off your floor.I would crate until trained. I would reccommend you take her/him out often and give them treats WHEN they go outside. It would be no different getting a dog who has been tied outside all their lives. Leading depends on the dog.. what we were trained to do is
long lione and teach them the following one areas for poddy. you should walk them. leading is done outside or inside. a long 5' line that have several break hold( knots ) to catch if it slipps. treat and rewards when they reach these goals. sit , down stay come are important. classes reccomended.
Treats she showed us were hotdogs cut in very small sections and baked til crisp.