Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a minpin that is approx. 4 years old. We bought his as a pup and are the only owners. He knows that he is supposed to go to the bathroom outside...but we are just about reaching the end of our rope. We have adjusted food and water times, he gets taken out regularly, he gets praised when he goes the bathroom outdoors. But we are pretty much to the point now that we can't let him loose in the house for long. By nature he is inquisitive so he runs around the house alot. We can take him outside and he will go to the bathroom....but when he comes back inside...if we literally don't follow him around every minute he will use the bathroom in the house every time. So, he pretty much spends most of his time in his kennel now because of this. He messes in his kennel regularly as well. I have had house dogs all my 38 years and have house trained them all - but we just can't seem to keep him from going in the house.....can somebody please give some insight. We are at the end of our rope on this it seems.

Have you had dog vet check for any possible medical problems? What do you clean the spots up with?

Cheryl

We have not had the vet check him for this. It seemed to me to be a behavioural problem. However, I will touch base with the vet for safety sake. As I mentioned, he will sometimes go to the bathroom outdoors just fine, and then come in and almost immediately go again in the house. Sometimes we can walk with him for literally 15 minutes outdoors and he almost "refuses" to go....then when he comes in - again he will almost immediatly go. The location is not always the same. Typical clean up is with carpet cleaner and or a vinegar and water solution (if on the carpet)...but he will go on the tile floor as well. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to this. This isn't something that is just now happening. It has been going on for well over a year. Short of the vet, I have asked every pet center and training facility around us if they have recommendations. I truly get nothing other than "take him out more frequently" or "adjust his food/water time".....It doesn't seem to have anything to do with that.

Thanks for the input.

Well the first thing I would do is a vet check. It very well could be medical.
Also, try a cleaning product called nature's miracle. often if the smell remains inside the dog will continue to associate inside with using the bathroom.
Is he still intact? I don't know anything 100% about this but I've had some friends and family who've had intact males suddenly start frequently marking inside.

As much as I hate to say it What about Directing his pottying in the house to one spot like a piddle pad. it's an Idea and it might save your Carpets ect...
Sara