Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 5 1/2 month old golden retriever. I have been unable to advance her to getting out of the kitchen with tile floor. Whenever I let her into the living room she tends to urinate on the carpet and if she does not urinate she paces around the living room and can not sit or lay still. She has not urinated in the kitchen now for 2-3 weeks so I believe otherwise she is housebroken. I would appreciate any advice.

Firstly, clean the spot with an enzymic cleaner (this gets rid of the smells that WE can't smell but dogs can).

Then, you need to encourage your dog to go outside (or where you want!). Use praise to do this AND, most importantly, set your dog up to succeed by taking him/her outside as often as you can (particularly just after eating/drinking). Every time your dog urinates in the place you want - then praise praise praise! You might even want to give them a little treat. If they go where you don't want, ignore them (don't punish them - it doesn't stop them going - might teach them not to go in your presence - or teach them that you are mean! but they won't learn much else - oh, however if you catch them in the act - you can go "uhoh, and take them straight outside. If they go then you can praise.).. Accidents inside should be cleaned with enzymic cleaner and you should just say to yourself "oops, thats my fault, I forgot to take him/her to the toilet spot in time". You need to teach your dog that it is GOOD to go to the toilet where the boss says. Then you have a dog that wants to go outside because that gets them a reward (affection etc). Dogs want to get good things and avoid bad things!
I have a dog that wags his tail after going to the toilet! AND, I haven't had an "accident" in the three years I've been in my house. Even if he gets sick, he will actually wake me up to ask to go outside. Its all from giving him positive reinforcement for going to the toilet where I want him to.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info! I have been doing all that you said including cleaning with an enzymatic cleaner. When in the kitchen she is fine about not urinating and gets plenty of praise when she goes outdoors. It is only when I let her into the living room where there is carpet that she makes the accident. Because of this I have been confining her to the kitchen. Could it be that the carpet reminds her of grass?

It is said that dogs don't generalise. She has probably learnt that its not appropriate to go in the kitchen - but hasn't quite got it that she can't go in the living room either. And it might be she likes the surface of the carpet (it probably holds in smells better too!). Perhaps only let her in the living room after she has been to the toilet outside - and only ever under supervision. As mentioned before - if you set her up to succeed you will have better results.

Patience and enzymic cleaner - you need both!

>>I have a 5 1/2 month old golden retriever. I have been unable to advance her to getting out of the kitchen with tile floor. Whenever I let her into the living room she tends to urinate on the carpet and if she does not urinate she paces around the living room and can not sit or lay still. She has not urinated in the kitchen now for 2-3 weeks so I believe otherwise she is housebroken. I would appreciate any advice.

Try feeding her in the living room right where she has had accidents. It worked for my puppy when she had gotten the idea that the living room wasn't part of the regular pack living/eating/play area, and therefore could make a convenient potty. Also try undiluted white vinegar on a fresh accident spot. It tends to give a scent message that helps deter future accidents, but will only neutralize the odor if used while the spot is still wet and fresh.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Thanks to all. Will give it a try.