House Breaking a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Can anyone help me housebreak my Charlie? He is 5 months old and we are crate training him. Just this morning I took him out first thing at 7, then again after he had breakfast around 8:15. Not long after we came back in he pooped and peed in his crate. Help!! I thought that in crate training they won't go where they sleep! Any advice would be so appreciated! Thanks, ~Robin Newington, CT

Dear Robin, I feel for you. My sheltie, Spenser, was very stubborn about being housebroken. He didn't mess his kennel, but he'd mess on the floor. I was doing all the right things according to the books--evn bought the "pads" where he should have wanted to poop. He'd poop right next to them! It was only after I cornered him one time and gave him a swat that he stopped making messes. And I know you should not swat the dog, but I did and it worked. As for messing in the crate, I would also consider waiting a bit longer both before taking him out after eating and letting him take longer to do his deed. It used to take Spenser quite a while to pick a spot and finish up. As a puppy he didn't seem as sure of his own needs either such as when he was really done. It would take him two or three times to get done, whereas now, one time is usually enough. I wish you the best, Sally

Thanks Sally! It would make sense that he really wouln't know his needs just yet. How long did it take your puppy to train? One good side of it all is that he walks me! Thanks again, ~Robin

Dear Robin, It took Spenser about 6 months to get it right. He is a smart dog--and a male--which they say makes it more difficult. His "I live to please my owner" gene seems to be missing! Do you have an off-lease dog park in your area? You might try taking him there where he can stay long enough and sniff enough to get the idea that the outdoors is where to do his business. (It's also a great way to socialize a puppy to other dogs and people.) I didn't do a good job of training Spenser for walks--our spring project this year. We do have a great dog park, so I take him there so he can run. He loves running and I sure can't keep up with him! Sally

Are you sure you are letting him out long enough. Some dogs have to explore a little before they find the right spot, if you know what I mean. And yes it is unusal for a dog to mess where they sleep. Is he left home alone a lot? They tend to be so happy when some comes home that they are afraid you will leave them if they take the time to go to the potty outside. And than again some dogs are just slow learners, has he ever done his potty out side? If he always seems to be pottying inside, the next time he does it, get a paper towel,(if it is firm and not runny)and take his job out side and put it on the ground, and take him out and let him get the sent of it. There again, some time this lets him know that is the place where this is to be done. And if you don't see him as he is doing his "duty" in the house, don't yell or scold him, he has no idea what you are upset about. I hope some of these ideas help. Hugs, Lynda

Thanks for the tips Lynda! I do try to keep him outside 15-20 minutes at a time. Plus he's a sniffer, he smells everything! Fromk a leaf to a rock to a tree he drives me crazy! As far as being alone- we've been home all week on school vacation, I dread leaving him alone on Tuesday not knowing how he'll be. We did take his business outside and I made his crate area smaller. We had him outside this afternoon for a while and then he came right in and went potty in the kitchen! Well, I'll try your tips and I'll be sue to keep you posted! Thanks, ~Robin

Do you go out with him? That way you can praise him when he goes outside. He'll figure it out when he is scolded inside (if you see him doing it) and when he is loved on outside when he is a good boy. I have a male Boston terrier, he was pretty easy to train this way.. he was in a crate as well. Right now I am working on a chipoo boy.

I didn't read the other posts but hopefully I can help! How big is his crate? You are correct dogs in general don't like to go to the bathroom where they sleep however if the crate is big enough for him to go and to move away from it then he will continue to do it. In regards to the times you take him out and feed him are they consistant every day? If he doesn't go to the bathroom when you take out at 7 then he should go back in the crate. I know "potty training" is difficult, I have 2 Yorkies and they are one of the hardest breeds to train!!!