Help? Someone advise before we have to get rid of an un-trainable dog?
Discount Medical Scrubs
A year ago I rescued a Basset Hound dog. She is now 2 1/2 years old and I can not seem to get her house trained. I've been very consistent using crate training methods for the past year and she still yet will run out of my sight and go potty in the house then she'll go play as normal. I've been out of work for about 5 months now so I've even been taking her out every 30-45 minutes and waiting for her to go potty then bringing her back in and she'll still do the same thing at random times. I'm sure I'm doing things well because the puppy we got in the summer is already well trained and has run of the house at all hours, it's just the Basset that doesn't get it.
I'm running out of ideas. Someone please help. My fiance is borderline to making us find her a new home because I'm pregnant and am not supposed to be cleaning up animal urine or feces due to medical risks going by the obgyn, even though the dogs are healthy. He's also worried about the fact we'll have a little one on the floors before too much longer and he doesn't like the idea of having to scrub the floor every time baby needs down to play. I don't want her to have to leave as she was abused before and I worry about how she'll react to a new home but I don't know what else to do with her?
She has the ability to run somewhere to pee because I do have 2 dogs to pay attention to and can be playing with one while she's playing elsewhere for a few minutes. And I also have a minor issue at this point called morning sickness which means I can go from being focused on them to focused on the toilet bowl in mere seconds without time to crate her before I go.
We've been to the vet they say there's no problem after urine, fecal, and blood tests. They advise that Bassets are just notoriously stubborn and to keep trying but I'm running out of time and options. It's not my choice to get rid of her, but I can see my fiance's valid points in that with a baby coming and that he's worried.
I have had a local trainer with good recommendations in she came regularly for about 2 months praised me for the training my boxer mix had as she is fully house trained and has her commands down perfectly with tricks included. And, she finally gave up on the Basset due to the fact that she was out o
Tags: 5 months, animal urine, basset hound, basset hound dog, blood tests, crate training, discount medical, fiance, hound dog, medical risks, morning sickness, Obgyn, pee, Puppy, random times, running out of time, time baby, toilet bowl, trai, vet
April 24th, 2011 at 5:19 am
Okay. First of all, reading through your answers here, I would go along with the one(s) that suggests you get her checked out just in case she has a UTI going on. Bassets, being low to the ground, will squat in all the ‘wrong places’, and it’s quite possible she has picked something up, and can’t help what she’s doing. Secondly, although I appreciate your need to ‘leave the room’ fast just now, the suggestion that you go right back to square one puppy training with her, crating her when you can’t be there to supervise her, so she can’t run off and pee would be a sensible idea. The fact she’s running somewhere you can’t see her suggests to me that she knows she’s doing wrong, but can’t help it. The problem is, if you live in the N.Hemisphere, it’s cold now and outside doors need to be closed! When she pees, does she walk off, and then squat again with very little coming out? If so, this could be a sign of cystitis, or even bladder stones, which Bassets are somewhat prone to getting too. Collect a sample of her urine if you can, and get her and it to your vet for a urinalysis.
If she’s clear of any infection, then I’m afraid it’s a case of avoid the opportunity – crate her. Not forever, but at least to break the habit! And again I appreciate your concerns re having a baby on the floor soon.
I just hate the thought she has to go to another home which is only going to compound how she is! Bassets are also one-man people, and once the bond is there, you learn which buttons to press with her, she’s going to be very hard to get back anywhere near on track if you abandon her too.
Bassets can be stubborn – especially if the communication between you and her have broken down. They will test patience to the limit at times (and you are not in a situation where you’re likely to have much right now, me thinks). It also occurs to me that as Bassets are a sensitive breed, she may well be picking up on your current condition, and reacting. Plus there’s obviously the fact that she has a previous life, and early training perhaps wasn’t done, so she’s come to you with baggage – and probably the reason she found herself out of a home to begin with?
Can you contact a Basset breeder – join the BHC for where you are? It often helps to speak to people who know this rather unique breed, Many normal training methods simply don’t work with Bassets!
ps When she’s playing around, just give her say 30 minutes of this, and then GET her outside. Try to anticipate what’s going to happen with her so she doesn’t get so carried up in her playing, she forgets her need to pee, and just goes. A lot with Bassets, is about anticipation, and applied psychology! I’ll open my email communication, in case you need to contact me. Anything to prevent her going to yet another home!! because frankly if she does, I don’t think there’s going to be any way back for her.
Add – The point about getting her into Basset RESCUE, if it comes to that, is totally relevant. Please don’t sign her into just any old Shelter as chances are they will pts. And obviously, if you know where she came from (breeder?) she needs to be contacted, first of anybody!
April 24th, 2011 at 5:19 am
Take her to the vet. It could be something as simple as a urinary tract infection.
April 24th, 2011 at 5:19 am
Lock her in a kennel at night, hopefullyt she doesnt do her business in the kennel, then when you wake up and take her out just wait outside until she does her business, even if it takes awhile, then if she does go outside give her a treat right away. if you have to just tie her outside until she goes and keep an eye on her, after she goes bring her in and give her lots of love to know she was good
April 24th, 2011 at 5:19 am
You should contact a trainer, even Petco! They have great trainers that can help you out for very cheap. My friends Doberman had to attend some classes and they were pretty reasonable. After he was done with the classes, he got an award. Now he is great, knows a lot of tricks, and the best part is that he doesn’t pee or poop at home. I really recommend calling Petco. I would not get rid of a dog just because I cant train him/her….I don’t mean to be rude, but you are not doing something right. I trained several dogs all on my own without a problem. If you know for a fact you have tried EVERYTHING, then it might be something a bit more serious. He might have a bladder or colon disease. It is possible for dogs to have this and that is what is keeping them from holding in their pee or poop. Please contact a vet first, if the vet says your dog is healthy then contact a trainer or even Petco.
April 24th, 2011 at 5:19 am
Did you try the book, HOW TO HOUSEBREAK YOUR DOG IN SEVEN DAYS? Shirlee Kalstone is the author. You can get the book for $7.99 plus shipping at http://www.dogwise.com
Good luck!
If you decide not to keep her, please contact Basset Hound Rescue (online). Rescues want to see your vaccination records and a spay/neuter certificate. If one BH rescue won’t take her, call another and another until you find one that will. Animal shelters will kill the dog. No-Kill shelters are FULL and send all of the pets people bring in to kill shelters, where they are killed almost immediately. Give your dog a chance. Find a rescue that doesn’t cage dogs. If you live in a warm climate, set her up to comfortably stay outdoors, if you can do nothing else (it’s NOT a happy alternative).
April 24th, 2011 at 5:19 am
First, I would take her to the vet to have her checked for a UTI. If she gets a clear bill of health, then you need to start with housebreaking from square one. The fact that she is able to run somewhere to pee tells me that you are not using crate training properly – the point is that she is crated when you are not 100% focused on supervising her.
So, from now on do not give her the opportunity to go potty in the house. She needs to either be tethered to you or crated until she is trustworthy. Since you are staying at home full time right now that’s ideal as you will be able to take her out often. It can be hard to break this kind of habit, especially when it’s been going on for a year, but if you are consistent it can be done.
April 24th, 2011 at 5:19 am
Have the vet look at her, it could be a urinary tract infection. Have you made sure there is no odor of urine to draw her back to go potty?. If you can rule those out as well. You might want to try The dog whisperer. There are also Rescue places for all sorts of dog breeds too. She could have a smaller bladder,just like some people do. You might need to reduce the amounts of food and water she gets. I don’t know that Bassets get along real well with babies either. My grandson was attacked by his grandpa on his dads sides Basset and would have been bitten if my daughter hadn’t have kicked the dog away in time. As much as my grandson loves dogs, he is terrified by Bassets,yet he has a pet Husky that is twice his size, and isn’t afraid of him. His Husky is very gentle, and won’t let him near anything dangerous,he can walk him on a leash and the dog won’t run and pull him down. Instead he walks right beside him. I wish you well and the dog too. It could be a mental deficiency too. Just have her checked out thoroughly by a vet.
April 24th, 2011 at 5:19 am
It’s CAT feces that causes the problems when your pregnant, not dog (toxoplasmosis) – see link on cat feces and pregnancy:
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/pregnancy/illness/180.html
Now for your bassett. Get a crate. When she is NOT with you actively being watched, put her in the crate. Clean all your carpets and places she’s (or any other animal) have "gone" with an enzyme cleaner to get all the smell that you can’t smell away.
Take her out on a schedule, and she goes back in the crate when not being ACTIVELY watched. Keep this up for 2 months. It’s far from impossible, you can do it.
Now you need to do one more thing — go to amazon and get the book "Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson and read it cover to cover. Especially the part on potty training. This is NOT a book on dog training as much as it is a book on dog THINKING. You will be amazed.
ps — I had bad morning sickness too with two of my three. You simply crate ALL THE TIME except when you are outside playing with them. This is for the duration of the needed potty training.