3-month-old cocker spaniel pees & poops everywhere

Question
Hi Delores,
We are new owners of 3-month-old golden Asher. He is very intelligent and cheeky. He likes to roll on his back, exposes his tummy for us to rub him. We got him last week and starting crating him. But on the 4th day, when we let him loose in the house, he pees & poops in our living room. Question is, I saw him sitting still, getting ready to do the business. But I said GO POTTY and he just does it anyway, on the floor! Help!

Next, as he has not completed his shots yet (last one in Jan 2010), we cannot take him out for walks. He wakes up early in the morning (7am) and starts barking, whining, and wouldn't stop until we goes in the kitchen (where he sleeps, in his crate). We keep the crate door closed at night, because we are afraid he'd pee/poop everywhere. In the crate, he pees and poops there (after food), and we'd clean it up immediately. We want to remove the crate, and just lay newspaper for him to pee/poop, and have him lie on a doggie bed that we'd bought for me. What is the best way?

By the way, both me and husband work (from 8am until 6pm) and my 70-year-old Mom looks after Asher. I thinks she is spoiling him!!!!

Thank you in advance

Answer
If "everyone" doesn't get all over this housebreaking "now" it just won't get done.  And since your Mom is with him all day, it's very, very important for her to get on board.

By the way, when you commanded "Go potty" while he was in the house and about to go - you gave him permission.  That did make me laugh though.  If you see he's about to go, you say NO in an authoritative voice (no yelling), pick him up and plunk him outside.  Stay with him 'till he finishes, then praise & reward.

Here's your new regime to get him housebroken:
Ask "want to go OUT" in your "happy voice"
Someone takes him outside on leash every two hours.
Do not chat/play with him - every 2 minutes give the command "go potty".
When you see he IS about to go - command go potty. (This is important).
Praise him as if he split the atom :) and reward with treat.

At night, do not crate - get some "puppy pads" (Petsmart/Petco) - leave him in a confined space.
Put the puppy pads (which have a scent that attracts them) in the middle of a newpapered area.
Put his bed about 5 feet away from the potty area.  Leave a bit of light on in the kitchen.

If he does have an accident unless you actually catch him in the act - just clean it up without comment.  One minute later he won't have a clue what you're upset about.

Always take him out after any nap - after eating - after a long playtime.  It really doesn't take long for them to connect the command-action-reward/praise.

Now - the crying & whining in the morning.  He may be doing this to get out of his crate so no crate may help.  If not - next time he does it you must correct.

Get an empty pop/beer can.  Fill with 12-15 pennies.  Duct tape top shut.
Go to the kitchen door and say NO then raise the can high in the air and bring it down hard ONCE.
Walk away.  No chat - no scolding - just NO and one thundering crash.
Do not come back until he's been quiet for a couple of minutes.

This is simple.  You do "that" and "this" happens.

And Cheryl, what are you feeding him and how often?  At his age he needs to be fed 4 to 5 times a day.

Delores