[lizdelc]

I need help, FAST... I have a 2 year old silky/bichon mix who is still peeing on the carpet! I have tried everything I can think of. We have a son who is just about to turn one, and trying to chase after both of them got to be way too hard. We actually gave our sweet lil pup to some friends of ours, and he peed on their carpets too... nothing they tried seemed to work, so now he is coming back to us, and I want to show him it needs to be different this time. Please help me with any suggestions you may have on resetting the climate, and finally getting him to 'get it." Thanks!

[briteday]

First have the dog checked by a vet to rule out medical issues. I believe you need to do that before chalking it up to behavior issues.

Second, why is the dog on carpeting if it pees there? He needs to earn the right to join you on the carpeting.

Third, for the sake of your toddler and your dog, you need to start by having your carpets cleaned, perhaps by a professional. Be sure whoever does it uses an enzyme pet cleaning product. Dogs smell 100 times better than humans and body fluids leave behind residual bacteria. It needs to be removed from your carpeting with enzyme cleaners or the dog will keep returning to the same place. Also the idea of a toddler crawling on that gives me the creeps.

Buy a crate and make the dog earn the right to be on carpeting. I would crate the dog at night, when you are not home, and any time you cannot have your eyes on him. Initially you might give the dog some leg room during the day by gating off the kitchen and letting him be there, easier to clean up the floor if tile.

You also need to feed the dog two scheduled meals at regular times of the day. Put a measured amount of food down for 20 minutes and pick it up if the dog doesn't eat. Then have a schedule to take the dog out. If you schedule intake, output generally follows a schedule as well, just like kids. Be prepared to take the dog out as soon as he gets up in the morning, after the morning meal, midday, mid-afternoon, after evening meal, mid-evening, and just before bed...minimum. When the dog performs outdoors, give very special, potty time only treats, and praise like he won Westminster!!!

Once the dog is sufficiently trained staying in the kitchen and peeing only outside then you can start with small periods of time on carpeting, but only if you can keep your eyes on him. You might need to tether the dog to you with a leash so that he can't scamper under furniture and such.

It sounds as if neither family has been consistent with training and the dog is confused. Go back to the same techniques used for a new puppy and BE CONSISTENT! It generally takes at least 6 months for a dog to be reliably housetrained. Small dogs tend to take longer. Maybe because they have smaller bladders, but I chalk it up to owner tolerance. Bigger dog, bigger puddle. Little dog, little puddle. So remember that you are in this for the long haul. And just about the time you potty train the dog it will be time to potty train the child! Good luck on both!