Training our adult dog

Question
My husband and I just got a 5yr. old beagle who is epileptic. We have taken the steps so far with meds (phenobarbital) talking with our vet and monitoring him. So far so good. We are also trying to establish dominance and house train him- Not going so good. He's rude and stubborn- and pretty much uses our house as his bathroom. From the research that I have done so far- It has become clear that we have made some mistakes- such as not crate training him consistently and using the crate as punishment. I've read that confining him to a room would be a good alternative- yet confining him to a room with carpet for a dog that is not house trained?? That idea reeks. I read about training to use a litter box too- and frankly I don't even keep a litter box for the cats- (we never offered one so they go outside) We love our beagle but I'm not willing to sacrifice my carpet, or the fresh smell of our home to our pets. So whats next? I would like to keep trying the crate training and focus on consistency- Could we get a new crate and try again- or have we ruined the crate method by using it as punishment? Also, on establishing dominance- can my husband and I both establish leader of the pack or does one or the other of us need to establish dominance?? Thanks.

Answer
Hello Michelle!
Lets, start with the house training business. I'm going to be honest, its hard to train a dog when it is adult (2 years and up). But it can be done. The reason is when they hit adult age they have basically been doing the same reuitine to 2 or however many years in this case 5. You need to get him on a schedule, and there are many ways to do this, but I am going to tell you some basic and easy ones. Feed him two to three times a day. Depending on the type of food will depend on if it is two or three times. A great food like blue buffalo or nutro you would only need to feed him twice. Something like gravy train or mighty dog would consist of three, because it doesn't have enough nutrients in two servings as a great brand. Feed him in the morning, lunch time if you want, and at dinner time. Never leave food out for him all day. Water is ok to leave out, but I don't suggest a lot while you are getting him onto a schedule. Take him out 30-50 minutes after he eats and stay outside for 20-30 minutes and let him know that its ok to go outside. Until you can get him on a regular schedule get the puppy training pads the scent that is carried on them will tell the dog to go on them. Don't keep him on them long because them he will become attached to those and get into a reuitine of using them. Below I am going to put three links to one of the best pet supply stores. The links will be consisting of good food, kennels, and the training pads. I really think it would be best to get a kennel after you get him onto a schedule. Using them as punishment is never fun for you or the dog, but it will teach him right from wrong. As well as scolding and praising when he has done something wrong or right. Scolding can be used as saying a firm NO and pointing your index finger in his snout, and praising can be giving him a treat or a pat on the head. I don't think that you should give up try a kennel. Dominance is very hard to get across to a dog, because no matter what he wants to think he owns the house. You both need to let him know that you are the leaders and nothing else. Show him and let him know that he needs to obey you both. Wether that be by putting him in a kennel when he disobeys you or praising him when he understands. Below are the links I think you should give a look.
1.http://www.bluebuff.com/?gclid=CLnslLWg0pICFQpjHgodXRL5iw
2.http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/pet_supplies.cfm?c=3307+32
3.http://pet-supplies.drsfostersmith.com/search?p=Q&lbc=drsfostersmith&uid=532585419&w=kennels&af=cat1:dogs%20type:product&isort=score&method=and&ts=results
4.http://www.nutroproducts.com/


On number 3 I highly recommend the remington wire kennel, I use it for my dog and she loves it. It got us both trough her house training. I hope that I have helped and if you need anything else answered don't hesitate to ask. Good luck and I hope for the best, you sound like a great pet owner but not giving up on a pet that has a medical condition.