My dog issues

Question
QUESTION: Hello. My name is katie and i have a maltese that is about 2 years old. My dog has MAJOR issues on how to learn where to pee/poop. I've been trying to teach her over a year where to pee/poop, but it seems impossible. I dont know what i'm doing wrong to aid my dog into peeing/pooping on the newspaper. My dog seems to still NOT know the difference between Carpet and Newspaper! This issue is becoming a major problem for me, can you perhaps give me any advice to help my maltese? I gave treats/stuff my dog likes evertime it pee'd near or on the newspaper but it seems to not get the logic. Also, my dog barks at EVERYTHING, what should i do?!!??!?! please help

ANSWER: Hi Katie,

Many dogs are utterly confused by the concept of paper training. You're right, to your dog there isn't a bit of difference between carpet and newspaper. The solution is to not use the paper training technique, but to walk your dog outside. Besides the necessary exercise, your dog will also get important mental stimulation from these walks.

If your dog isn't reliably house trained, you can't give her the run of your home when you aren't able to watch her like a hawk to prevent accidents. When you're not home, or when you aren't able to keep an eye on her, she should either be crated, or contained to a part of a room with the help of a child gate or two. Lay a thick layer of newspaper down over the entire containment area.

When walking your dog, take her to areas where other dogs go. The minute she's "done her business" offer plenty of praise, and even a small treat. If your dog doesn't do all that she needs to on a walk, when you get her back to your home, put her right in her containment area (because you KNOW she still needs to "go"). In about 15 minutes take her outside for another try.
Give your dog frequent opportunities to go to the bathroom outside, until you start to see a decrease in house training accidents. With close supervision, and the chance to relieve herself outside, and praise for a job well done outside, your dog will soon get the hang of where she's expected to "go".

Clean the areas of your home where your dog has been having accidents. Us an enzymatic cleaner, such as Nature's Miracle. This is help eliminate the odors your dog can smell, that might be attracting her back to re-soil in your home.

You didn't say under what circumstances your dog barks. Is it when she's left alone? What do you do when she barks?  How much daily exercise do you give your dog? If you'd care to get back to me with some specifics, I'd be happy to give you some advice.

Best of luck,

Patti

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

QUESTION: Thankyou! i'll try that. My dog barks when strangers come near our house or when she hears anything. Like literally everything. I say NO to stop her and then i get close to her and then i hold her, because if i hold her, she stops. Is that a wrong way to teach her?

Answer
Hi Katie,

Part of your dog's barking problem is that you are getting close to her and holding her.  Being held by you is no doubt a pleasant experience for her, and she might be seeing this contact as a reward for her barking, so why should she stop?

First, teach your dog that barking is okay until she is told to "Be quiet!" Each time your dog barks, command her to "Be quiet." Simultaneously, hold a treat in front of your dog's nose. Most dogs get quiet immediately because they can't sniff and lick the treat while barking at the same time.
Praise your dog continuously during her quiet time with petting and words of encouragement. After three seconds of no barking, let her have the treat. As you continue with your training, increase the amount of time you require her to be quiet before giving the treat.

When your dog makes a mistake and barks (and she will) reprimand her immediately. Never strike your dog, but do something that will catch her attention, such as clapping loudly or squirting water in her face. As soon as your dog stops barking, you must instantly reward her.

It also can be helpful to make something mysterious and unsettling happen when she barks. Something so puzzling that she forgets barking for a moment. A short sharp unidentifiable sound is perfect. Take a few pennies and put it an empty soda can. As you give the "Be Quiet!" command, shake the pennies can vigorously. The very moment your dog stops barking, stop shaking the can and praise her.

Don't expect overnight miracles if your dog's been barking for months. It may take weeks to replace an old habit with a new one. If you keep up with the training, you will see a new pattern develop. Instead of barking relentlessly at the insignificant, your dog will bark appropriately and for a reasonable length of time.

I hope that helps!
Best of luck,

Patti