Bathroom issues with 3 year old rescue

[lolathehavanese]

Hi All,

My name is Lee and I live with my fiance Kate up in Braintree, MA which is about 20 minutes south of Boston. About 3 weeks ago we adopted an almost 3 year old Havanese named Lola. We got her from my brother in law's co-worker, who had gotten Lola when she was a puppy, but could not care for her anymore. They said she was fully potty trained, crate trained and just an all around lovable dog.

Well, she is a great dog and she is awesome in her crate. She is in there during the day when we go to work, and has no accidents at all. When we get home, we take her right out and she does her business. However, we have had some accidents in the house in the first 3 weeks and wanted to get your advice. We are very patient and know that it will take time, but I know a lot of you are experts here at DP so I wanted to see if anyone had some "tricks of the trade" for solving the problem. I will list out below the 4 times she has done her business in the house so that you can get an idea of the issue.

1) Totally my fault. Came home from work, took her out, but didnt keep her out long enough so she did not go. Went into the room for 5 minutes, came back out to see poop and pee in the dining room. My fault 100% and that was the 3rd day we had her and the first time she had been in the crate all day while we were at work.

2) This past Friday - I let her out right when I got home, she peed but did not poop and I had her out for like 10-15 min. I fed her, left the room for like 1 minute, came back and caught her after one nugget had already come out. I stopped her in the middle of it, took her out, and she finished the poop outside.

3) This past Saturday - She was good all morning. Pooped twice, peed a bunch of times. We were hanging out all afternoon in the living room watching TV and lounging on the couch together. I was doing laundry all afternoon. Around 6:00 PM, I fed her dinner and was trying to wrap up the last load of laundry. After she finished eating, I was about to take her out bc I knew she probably had to poop. I wanted to get the last load in the dryer before I forgot so I ran downstairs quickly to throw it in. Less than 2 minutes later I was back upstairs and she had JUST pooped in the living room. I took her outside right after and she did nothing.

4) This past Sunday - Again, good all morning; I made sure I took her out often. We went on two walks so she would pee/poop. I took her out in the early afternoon to the backyard because I figured she probably needed to pee. We were literally outside for 20 minutes and she was just sniffing the air, not looking like she was interested in going the entire time. I even had her off the leash, running around because I thought that might work up her bladder and she might just squat somewhere. Nothing. We came back inside. Again, I left the room for a few minutes thinking she’d be fine; I mean we were JUST outside if she really needed to go. Came back in the dining room and there was pee on the floor and she was in her crate/guilty. Took her right outside and she did nothing.

We just bought a set of those door bell things to try and train her to ring the bells when she needs to go out. Not sure if that is what anyone recommends. I appreciate any info/insight.

[kian]

The change of household has upset her normal routine, not to fret. Is there a lot of distractions, noise, barking dogs, anything outside? I suggest you spend more time with her outside, getting her use to her surroundings and feeling safe. Also when you are home, tether her to you since she is small. Watch for signs and then get her outside and praise.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kian, I think the tether until she is settled in her new environment is a great idea as I noticed a common thread in each and every one of the accidents.

The dog was left unattended and couldn't have asked anyone to take her out, or to go out, each and every time. It doesn't really matter that she had just been outside. She didn't do, or finish her business out there. There were 2 other common markers that should be monitored closely and they were that 2 of the 4 times, she had just finished eating but the OP "just wanted to do something first prior to tending to the dog's needs.

Until this wee dog feels totally confident and safe in her NEW forever home, you must be so very careful to set her up for success. It breaks my heart that the dog put herself in a "time out" in the crate. She clearly didn't go to the bathroom in the house because she wanted to; she did it because she couldn't wait anymore and there was no one to ask.

Kudos to you for rescuing this little darling, and for asking the hard questions, as well as providing excellent background information.

This is all very solvable, and together we will find way. We love to celebrate successes and I'm quite sure we'll be celebrating yours in no time at all.

[Phyrie]

All good advice. I would also add vocal cues when she DOES finally go. I used "potty", but you can use whatever you choose, of course. Whenever she pees or poops, give her the word, "Good potty, girl!" or whatever. Also, some dogs just don't poop unless they've been walking. My Kiba will poop in our yard, but he's GUARANTEED to poop on a walk. Even if he's empty, he gives it a really good try! Mark the poop (or effort) with your words, and she will become used to going on command. You can carry a pocket of delicious treats and give her one as a reward to help reinforce the behaviour, too.

[lolathehavanese]

Kian, Oliver and Phyrie,

Thank you very much the comments and feedback. I have "lurked" on this site for quite a while and I know you 3 are 3 of the most respected and knowledgeable posters on this board, so I really do appreciate the advice and insights you have given me.

Kian - as for the noise, we unfortunately do live on a busier road, so there are always car's driving by, people walking by, etc. I completely agree with the tethering - we keep her around us at all times when we are home to ensure that no more accidents do happen. Hopefully as we continue to learn about her, we will be able to pick up on her "tells" for when she needs to go out.

Oliver - I agree, it was our fault. With her being so new to the home and the surroundings, she needs to be under our supervision 24/7 whenever she is out of her crate until we are both comfortable with eachother. We will continue to work on this for sure.

Phyrie - we praise her all the time, especially when she goes outside. Immediately when she goes pee or poop, we heavily praise and give her a tasty snack. The walk is also a good idea, and we always try to give her at least 1 walk, usually in the morning. And if possible, I will get in at least another 5-10 minute walk after work if time permits.

Thanks again for all the advice and I will keep everyone updated on Lola's progress!

[kian]

Good luck and welcome to the forums!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

I feel compelled to compliment you for asking the questions and actually listening to the answers and taking from each, perhaps something that will work, rather than argue or whine about things. It's quite refreshing.

There are lots of great people on this site, and we talk about everything, dogs too.

Keep us posted!

[lolathehavanese]

Thank you for the kind words. I am a novice in the area of dog ownership, so it is nice to have this site to come to and ask questions to people who have owned dogs for 10,20 + years.

Just a quick update but Lola hasnt had any accidents in the last week or so! She also is getting much better at going right when we go out - at first, she would walk around and not go the bathroom when we took her out. But now, its great, we are in and out in no time and she knows exactly what to do. Its all very exciting and we are definately seeing great progress already.

[kian]

We love progress!!!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

There you go!!! That makes me happy,

Remember though, that for a while it is often two steps forward, one step back! We are here to help, and it reminds us of the days, as we forget the minutiae which means you will also. it's all good news!

Keep us posted, as Kian said, we do love progress.

[lolathehavanese]

Hi All,

I figured I would post an update, as exactly as Oliver and Henry's Mum said, it has been 2 steps forward and then 1 large step back last night

So Lola has been great the last few weeks. No accidents in the house and has even started to walk and sit by the door that we go out, letting us know that she needs to be taken out.

2 nights ago, we decided we would try and experiment and let Lola sleep in her bed next to our bed in the bedroom. Before, we had the crate in our room and every night we would have Lola sleep in the closed crate. However, since she has been doing so good, we decided to give it a whirl. Well, we had no problems at all. She slept the whole night in her bed on the floor next to our bed. Hooray!

Last night, however was a different story. I was just starting to fall asleep when I heard her get up and start to walk around a bit. I hopped up and she was standing in her crate, which was open. I told Lola to go to her bed, which was next to ours, and she hopped right over and plopped down. I layed back down, and a few minutes later, heard her jingling again, but decided not to get up. I heard her go out into the living room for a minute, then came back in and hopped into her bed. I figured she went to get a toy, but for some reason decided to go out into the living room to see. I flipped the light on and there was a nice poop sitting on the hardwood right in the middle of the floor. I cleaned it up, and we (fiance and myself) did not berate Lola, but just put her bed back in the crate and closed the crate.

I guess its just really frustrating because she has been so good, not having any accidents and letting us know when she needs to go out. And then all of a sudden, we give her a little leash, and she has an accident in the house. Anyways, figured I would share and let everyone know how the progress is going. Looks like she will be sleeping in the crate again.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Rather than look at this as a negative, it's actually quite positive! Lola did everything in her power to get your attention. You did get up once and she did as she was told. Obviously, she had to go very badly, and so she got up again. The second time (and I probably would have done the exact same thing) you decided to let her sort herself.

She even left your room and probably went to the door and hoped you were going to come and let her out. When that didn't happen, and she couldn't wait any long, she had an accident. You handled it PERFECTLY!

So, now it's a choice of do you wish to get up and tend to her each time she gets up, or lock her away in her crate at night and just hope she doesn't have to go badly while she is in there? Perhaps the new found freedom confused her a bit and she thought it meant it wasn't necessarily time for sleep. If you aren't already, perhaps reinforce the "bedtime" command. I still say that with my dogs and that's their signal that today is over.

I honestly don't know what I would do tonight. I would be inclined to go back to the locked crate just so I could have a good night's sleep, but on the other hand, I also would like to just be able to say "bedtime" and have her learn that it is in fact, bedtime. I might be tempted to give tonight another try with the freedom. If you find that she doesn't settle and you have to get up and put her out (as you now know if she leaves the room, she means business) then go back to Crating for a while longer.

Give yourself a huge pat on the back as this is a very minor blip. You didn't know and neither did she. I don't know if you want to try closing your bedroom door, as that is what we still do with Henry if he is sleeping with one of his human brothers. Both Oliver and Henry will sleep tightly through the night in my bed as any movement guarantees they be "relocated".

Let us know how tonight goes and honestly, don't consider this a step backwards. This was a lateral move and everyone was slightly more educated because of it!

You're doing great!!!

[lolathehavanese]

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement Oliver and Henry. We are trying to be as patient as possible with Lola.

So last night we decided to try again. We were in bed around 945 watching some TV and Lola was in her bed right next to us, passed out. Didnt move at all. Turned the TV off around 1030 and then around 1045-11 we heard her get up and start moving around. My fiance took her out, she peed, and we brought her back in. But she wouldnt seem to settle down in her bed so we decided to put her in the crate

We were just concerned that she wouldnt settle and that she had also only pooped once yesterday. So we will try again tonight.

[kian]

Patience and progress! Lola did try to tell you and that is great. She will get there, if it is hot at night, she will move around more. You have only had her 3-4 weeks and she is already getting use to your routine, keep at it, your doing great!!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

You are doing great, and please call me Deborah (or Deb)! Everyone else does.

Perhaps Lola needs a "last call" each night. I also do that with my dogs. I actually say "last call" and then it's "bedtime". They have learned this is their last chance to do any business they need to do before there is no more going out for the night. When they were puppies, I would go out with them, and use words of praise. As they became older, they only needed to be told "last call".

Now if they don't have to go, they will just sit wherever they are to let me know they're good to go. I still say "bedtime" too. It has become part of the routine, and once they become accustomed to the same word and/or phrases to mean a certain thing, then they can even let you know if they need it or not. However, if you know they could not have possibly completed their "business" for the day, then insist upon it, even if you have to go out with them.

I am quite sure within the next 4 weeks or so, Lola will have the whole routine down pat! You are doing fantastically well.