Housebreaking older cocker spaniels

Question
QUESTION: We have 2 cockers, male (5) and female (7).  They had never been properly trained, and they are peeing and pooing all over the house.  I tried to crate them, but they managed to pry open the metal crate.  Is it too late to train these dogs to go outside.

ANSWER: It is absolutely not too late and IF you make the decision to make it a priority it can be accomplished in a week or two.

I'd be happy to help you Anne but unless you firmly decide this behavior IS going to change and put in the time & training to make it happen, nothing will change.

If you're determined, Let me know and I'll have a lot of general questions first.

To comfort you :) our latest rescue at age 3 was totally unhousebroken and, on top of that, had severe anxiety.  Not a good combination.  I had him "pretty much" trained within a week.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated !!! The 5 year old male also has severe anxiety.   He cannot be walked by ne because he attacks other dogs, maybe this is something you can help with as well.  We have a newborn baby who will be cralwing soon, so I need to get this problem fixed, sooner than later.

Answer
Is the 5 year old fine with people?  This isn't anxiety - it's aggression.  Has he ever displayed this behavior with humans?

Anne, does budget allow for getting a professional trainer in to show you how to deal with this?  The first thing I'd do is buy a soft muzzle to use on his walks.  But when you say he "attacks", exactly what do you mean?  Is it a lot of barking/lunging or has he ever actually bitten another dog?  Sometimes it's a lot of "show" and sometimes it's more serious.

Here are some questions:
1.  What commands do they know?
2.  Where do they sleep?
3.  How much exercise (walks) do they get?
4.  How often are they fed?
5.  Do they have the run of the house?
6.  Which is the more dominant dog?
7.  What do you do when they have an accident in the house?
8.  Where do you live (climate?)
9.  Are they ever confined for any part of the day?

I suggest you write me directly at DeeBeck7765@aol.com since this can be very chatty :)  Just copy the above and send to me with your answers.

These dogs need to be on a schedule and to be "taught" to go outside.
The way you begin that is you "take" them out every two hours and anticipate (watch for the signals they're going to go) You give your chosen command - then praise & reward.  It doesn't take very long for them to connect the command-action-reward.  Your goal is to ensure they can't make a mistake while learning and that's why you TAKE them out so you absolutely know they've done their business.  And that they've been rewarded & praised.

Anticipation is a key to training.  Your male needs to be "corrected" BEFORE he starts up with another dog.  You don't wait 'till he's in full flight aggression.  There are some tricks to accomplishing this but I need to get more precise information as to what happens - when it happens and what you do when it does happen.
Delores