puppy potty training

Question
I have a three and a half month old miniature Australian shepherd puppy. He's an intelligent dog; he can roll over, sit, stay, shake, lay down and fetch. He doesn't seem to understand that he can't go to the bathroom in the house. It's weird because he used to go outside and knew not to go inside; he recently has started going to the bathroom in the house though. He knows not to, but he repeatedly does it. An example of this behavior is when i recently walked him around the neighborhood which is about 15 minutes. The minute we got inside, he went pee on a rug. How do I train him not to go to the bathroom in the house?

Answer

Wyatt, Lulu and Farrah There are different reasons why a dog eliminates in the house.
He didn't forget, he is doing it now for a different reason: Marking territory - which is why he pees once you enter the house.

I often read "He's smart but he doesn't get this, doesn't seem to understand..".
It has nothing to do with intelligence of the dog but with training, meaning an owner teaching a dog what's OK and what's not.

Hiring a dog trainer for a dog is like sending the kids to school to learn. Both, dogs and children do need education. While it's common given to send kids to school it's often forgotten that the owner is the #1 teacher for their dog, therefore dog trainers are there to, in the first place, turn you, the owner, into your dog's teacher.

That's especially the case with behavioral modification. Changes of environment, preventive thinking and actions, common sense, etc are part of that, including boundary training and timing.
The other part is to utilize basic obedience commands, which is also the trainer's job to teach you and your dog. It is very important to find the right trainer/method/technique so you are comfortable, results are quick (And most important, lasting). I don't use food because the results only last as long there's food involved. I choose other ways of showing the dog that a job was well done, which doesn't go threw their stomach but threw their heart and minds. =0)

He HAS to stay on a leash inside your house (Umbilical cord technique) at all times until he's reliable (I'll set it to about age 6 month and up just to get a rough ball park), take him out frequently, don't wait for him to signal he's got to go, YOU tell him he's got to go pee, therefore he'll learn to pee outside, almost upon command.

NO doggy door! Exercise stays and waits on front door, patio door, etc.


If your issues keep happening I urge you to enroll in training. Aussies (And I don't know what type of Mini you got = there are those who were purposely bred under standard size, practically achieving a disqualifying height/weight. Others where crated by actually being mixed with Sheltie and even Papillion, making them not purebred and not 100% Aussie behavior/qualities, etc.

I own an Aussie and if your's is the line which is bred out of disqualifying height to achieve a Mini but still a true Aussie, you really, really need to understand what type of dog you've got there.
Aussies are very cute and cuddly as puppies but they are serious adult dogs.
In 10 Aussies I train, 7 have already bitten someone before the age of 3 years old (All male)as this is a very territorial breed.
However, lack of training and social interaction is mostly to blame BUT the genetics of an Aussie, to protect and to never shy down and give up is strong and they are super intelligent which can easily meant to much dog for an owner.

Often the Aussies aren't used for Herding Competition as they are "To bity", meaning they inflict bite wounds and stress on the sheep.

If trained well, boundaries and all, they become THE best dog you can ever imagine!! Focused on family, ready to go threw fire for you, always making sure you and the family is OK, they are such a joy.
I love my boy, he's a red merle, ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club Of America) and AKC, NEUTERED and never bred, super smart and possesses wicked humor only this breed can have.
He takes directions like a human, retrieves objects, even new ones because he truly understands our language, and is excellent with other dogs and children.
But I put my foot down early with him, he showed some typical behavior when he was "At limbo" at around 2 years old, not a puppy anymore but also not mature yet, and I put a stop to it right away, since I've seen all too often what can happen if this breed's underestimated.
His name's Wyatt Earp.
So, please get the marking under control.. as it is the first step of showing his dominance over you. Exercise WAIT like crazy on your front door, meaning after a walk YOU tell HIM to wait.
YOU step into house, he has to remain outside, sitting, waiting. YOU count to 10 in your head (In the beginning start at 3, then increase time) and if he didn't get up and tried to push his way in, trying to get by you (As he believes he's the one has the right to get into the house first) give him a happy "Come", then automatic sit, close your door and praise him on a job well done.

Keep leash ON him!! Especially right after a wait exercise as he may want to now mark for sure to take the "Brownie points" you just earned away from him.

Also important: When he's ready to not be tethered to you any longer, there's a short period of time where he has to keep the leash on, but is dragging it, which still gives him a sense of being lead by you.


Questions:
When he pees in the house, what do you do? How do you react?
Is he crate trained?
Where does he sleep?



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