Puppies wont housebreak!

Question
Hi!  We have 2 male Shih Tzu puppies from the same litter.  They are 11 months old.  We have had them since they were 2 months old.  They were both neutered last month.  Our problem is that either one or both of them is still soiling inside the house.  The "accidents" (if they are indeed accidents!) are mostly confined to two particular areas:  one behind the chair in the living room, and one in our bedroom (when we forget to close the door).  We have a busy household with two small children, so while we try to keep an eye on the puppies, sometimes our attention is drawn elsewhere.  Therefore, we are not sure if only one or both of the puppies are doing this.

We crate trained them, and they will not soil in their crate.  We did train them with praise and rewards from the day we brought them home each time they made potty outside, and they seem to know what "potty" means.  After a while, when I would say, "go potty," they would start sniffing around and try to go.  After they went, I would say excitedly, "good potty!  good potty outside!" and give them a treat.  Since I thought they have gotten the idea (and the weather has gotten cold), I stopped doing the rewards and just let them out periodically.  Sometimes, they will even pace or whine by the door, and when I say "outside?" they look up excitedly, so I let them out.  They seem to understand, so I don't know why we're still having problems.

Each time we think we are in the clear - the time has grown longer between "accidents" - we have another little mess to clean up.  This is getting very frustrating!  We would like to be able to let them stay outside of their crate while we are out or sleeping at night, but we can't seem to get them to that point.  Please help!

Answer
Hi Dee.  Your dogs are being allowed too much freedom.  You've got to find a way to restrict them to a smaller area when you can't monitor them 100% of the time.  I like exercise pens for this purpose.  It gives a larger area to stretch their legs and play, but it becomes a larger "den" for them and most dogs will not eliminate in the pen.  

Until they are reliably telling you they have to go out by going to the door and you've been 3 weeks without accidents, you can't allow them the oppportunity to make mistakes. Keep them out of the rooms they've had accidents in.

When the weather gets bad, many dogs find it easier to just go in the house because they don't want to get wet or cold.  Especially during bad weather, keep a close eye on them and crate them or put them in their pen as needed.

You can also teach them to ring a bell at the door, which might be a better way to get your attention.  Here's my article on housetraining, including teaching the bell ringing:  http://www.azgreyhoundrescue.org/index.php/resources/articles/82-house-training-

Key points for you:
1.  Management - control where there are allowed to roam and monitor all the time.  If you see them sniffing a previously marked area, interrupt and take them outside.  
2.  Use an ex-pen for a confinement area when you can't watch them.
3.  Go outside with them every time and reward when they go.
4.  Teach them to ring a bell to tell you they have to go out.

Good luck.  All healthy dogs can be housetrained, it's just a matter of persistence and patience.