housebreaking for two

Question
We have two brothers from the same litter.  They are a mix of pug and brussel griffon.  They are 13 months old and still not completely housebroken.  We have a crate that we use at night and if we are gone during the day.  We set a timer when we are here for every 45min.to take them potty and we feed them at the same time every day.  When we take them potty we ring a bell on the door and say "potty"  Sometimes they seem to get it- even ringing the bell to go out.  Yet both of them still will sometimes go poop and/or pee in any of the rooms of the house.  What are we doing wrong? Thanks for your help.

Answer

Lulu the Pug Peeing and pooping serves dogs as tools to mark territory.
Getting two dogs from the same litter often come with set-backs as they compete with each other, especially if they're the same gender, meaning they mark territory to show each other who's boss... unless the owner has prevented that or, with help of a trainer, changed the situation around.
Thank you for crate training them, you most likely know just how much easier your "job" is because they are confined when you're not around, preventing them too mark more, even get destructive, etc..

YOU, the owner TELLS your dog when it's time to take them out. You never wait for a dog to signal you, not by barking, scratching on the door or by ringing a bell.
Sorry but there's NO WAY a dog would boss me around like that.
They are so smart, and so predictable, lol. I often tell an owner to please lose that bell ASAP because the dog will turn it into a game. Unfortunately my words aren't always received well, the owner insists the dog's "Just fine" and they keep the bell.

Usually during the training period the bell finally gets removed, the set-back's are recognized.
And/Or the dog rings bell, owner rushes to door, dog gives owner the "Man, you're easy" look and marches off. Owner stands there, door wide open, telling the dog to NOW go potty since he rang bell...... And dog? Well, he just jumped on the couch, acting like he fell asleep and is in dire need of that nap NOW.

"He outsmarted me, just like you said he will", is what I get to hear. With a laughing and a crying eye owners realize it takes work, there's no easy way out (Doggy doors are also a common reason why dogs chose to go inside, purposely).


So, this is what you'll do:

You don't wait for them to listen, you make them! Take charge!
Dogs live by the principal of hierarchy, if you don't lead them, they'll end up leading you... which means they have the "Right" to eliminate in your home, showing you clearly you aren't the boss here.

Put dogs on leash. Keep leash on dogs inside the house at all times (Unless they're in the crate), restrict some areas of the house, only let them go in areas which are "Good" like the living room. No bedrooms, no kitchen and bathroom, no upstairs.
Boundary training is territorial, therefore you're counter reacting. The leash gives you the power of controlling your pack, showing them in such an easy, non-harmful, non-threatening, non-frightening way that you've taken over the throne, you're the boss now.

Take both dogs to patio door, tell them to sit and wait, open door, tell them to "Go outside, go POTTY" in a very happy voice.
I personally don't follow the dogs, I stay inside and give them playtime and freedom. If in potty training or if it's a puppy, I remain outside until the "Deed" is done, so I can tell them what a good potty job they've done.

When they come inside, they again have to sit, then wait and then YOU invite them into YOUR TERRITORY.
Please make sure you put them on the leashes before they come in (Step outside, close patio door behind you, put them on their leashes, say "Sit -- Wait", open patio door, YOU step in, claiming clearly territory, elevating yourself.
Then you say "Come" in a happy, yet settle voice ( So they don't just "Fly" in like crazy Pugglets), have them sit one more time so you can close the door and then praise, tell them what a good job they did.

Now, while I do not train "With" treats (Meaning I don't show a treat to bait and make a dog perform a command -- my little daughter can do that, no science involved there), there's no reason not to give a little treat or snack once they came in, clearly indicating you're powerful now but also benevolent, just like a leader should be. Give treats randomly, but never ever forget to praise!

Restrict!
Guide!
Manipulate!
Control!


You should have instant success.


I am attaching a picture of my Pug Lulu (I'm also a member with the AZ Pug Rescue and work with the more difficult boys and girls in our group), performing a sit/wait (Or as I call it Her ticket for entrance, lol):

Remember: Keep the leash on them!