Sorry, I know we are all fed up with housetraining issues but I'm stumped.  Not my pup (or my breed) but a friend has recently rash bought a toy puppy.  They thought that when the vet said that the pup couldn't go out till he got his second jags, that meant even their garden so this little boy toy breed has been weeing in the house for the last month.  Well, Now he has had his vaccs and is allowed out, the family just assumed that the pup would start weeing outside but instead the little guy holds himself for hours till he gets home again and wee's as soon as he's home.
Crate doesn't make the slightest difference as he will pee and poo in his bed.
They can be out for literally hours and he WILL NOT go till he gets in the house.
How do you teach him that it's OK to go outside? I know my lot take a while to realise that they are allowed to 'go' outside thier garden but this is a completely different thing.

And before I get the lecture.  Nothing to do with me! No advice sought from any source.  Child wanted a dog and is spoiled so they went to a notoriously heavy BYB area and picked the pup up(SAME DAY!!!).  But he's here now and they really need some help(isn't it always the way?)

Have they tried putting some of the soiled paper or even bedding outside?

That was the only thing I could come up with actually.  I said to them to clean up any messes inside with bio liquid and no fuss but to put the soiled paper outside so he starts to become aware of where to go.
I just thought there might have been a better way to do it.  And I've never had toy breeds so I don't know if they would need different techniques?
Also, they have never owned any sort of animal before so have no clue as to what they are doing.  No research either.  They took the little guy out for 2 1/2 hour walk yesterday!!!:o  So I have been roped into helping them with advice which I'm doing for his sake!

I think they need to have a thorough clean of the inside of the house.  If a pup has been soiling and weeing in there for a month, there is going to be residual scent everywhere.  They need to use a bio washing liquid and thoroughly wash and wipe down all surfaces, everywhere pup has been, crate and skirting boards etc.  If it smells like a toilet, it will continue to be used as one (to the pup - humans may smell nothing).

Then set up wee and poo station outdoors.  If pup has been going on paper, use the same paper (tricky if it rains) or puppy pee pad - whatever pup is used to going on. 

Then go outdoors with treats and pup.  And wait.  All day if need be.  They must NOT return indoors.  To be honest, I'd be inclined just to go out with the pup for the day about town or doing whatever they want to do.  But to have treats at the ready.  When pup finally goes, reward and praise.  Do not return inside however long it takes till pup has gone.  It will get quicker the more it happens outdoors and the more the pup gets used to it, but the first few times it might need to be like this.

Then they are going to need to take him out very very frequently, because he will not hold it at all.  Plus he is a toy breed so has a tiny bladder anyway.

Toy breeds are much harder to house train than larger breeds.  I think my Collies have been the easiest ever.  Most toys are hard work, and it's said that Yorkshire Terriers are the hardest.  Bichons have a bad reputation too.

I bet you smiled at the thought that they beleived he would know to go outside once his jabs were done!  And you're the one that has to get across to them that dogs don't think like us!  Not easy at the best of times, but no research and an impulse buy, you have your work cut out!  :-)

I don't think they have a choice about staying out until he goes - however long that takes.  He can't hold it forever, and I would impress on them the need to praise really over the top.  A lot of people not used to dogs, are embarrassed about making a big fuss.  Whereas I don't care about the neighbours hearing me get excited about a wee wee!  :-)

Unfortunately, the work needed may be more than they're prepared to put in.  One of my breeds is often advertised at a year old because they're still not housetrained, and people want rid.  It comes as a shock to some that puppies really are hard work to rear properly.  I think you will have to emphasise that putting in the hard work gives  you a lovely adult dog (eventually.)  :-)

I too am presuming the pup has been housetrained using wee pads or newspaper that has been left in a convenient spot for the pup to find, that pad needs to be moved towards the door he will be using to go out to the garden and then move a soiled one outside the door[end the pads/newspaper in the house now] and then placed in the chosen toileting area, once the pup has got the hang of that reliably then fold the pad/paper in half and keep doing till they are going on the ground, this does work for a dog who has been used to pads/paper in the past even adults, it takes time and patience, not telling the pup off as it isn't his fault.

There are sprays and peeposts you can try, I tried the former and the smell made all the dogs avoid that area not just the one I was having a problem with and I could smell it in the house so ended up going and dousing the area in a strong concentration of biological washing liquid and taking the dog[2yrs old] back to puppy basics for a few weeks, she never was totally reliable but was 90% of the time.

Hope they get on top of this with the poor chap, wish folk would think before impulse buying pups, it's not a seven day wonder like Nintendo or Wii[or are they the same]any way you know what I mean.

I hope you told them about the age appropriate exercise rule of 5 mins for each month of age, I hope he wasn't walking for the 2.5hrs he was out.

My beagle was terrible for this - she would go in one are of the garden if it was dry and occasionally in the house if it was bad weather.  She was 11 months old before she toileted anywhere other than the garden.  I had taken her out for literally 14 hours, still on 3 meals a day eating and drinking through the day, took pads with me etc.  She needed to go to the point she was crying and bloated but would not go.  Finally we were out for a walk in the park where we went frequently and she actually went!  She did disappear off in to some bushes to do it and it was a further few months before she would go anywhere else.  It used to take about a month of walking somewhere everyday before she would toilet there.  Even then she had to off lead and in some bushes or long grass somewhere.  She is now almost 3 and will still rarely go on lead.  It took a long time and the house training was really hard work but we have got there.  Not sure what to advise regarding the issue other it will happen with patience

I hope you told them about the age appropriate exercise rule of 5 mins for each month of age, I hope he wasn't walking for the 2.5hrs he was out.

No, unfortunately they did 'walk' with him for the whole time!! Yes, they are now totally aware of the 5 min rule!!
Think I may have gave them a bit of a hard time but I had another rescue case on yesterday that reallllllllllly P*ssed me off so I wasn't in the mood for idiots.

JeanSW, You are the exact person I wanted to answer! I couldn't even begin to imagine how hard it is to housetrain a toy breed with a tiny bladder!! I'm glad to say that I have now given them the correct advice and I will keep a close eye on the family to make sure they are not messing him up any longer.  I also pointed them in the direction of a good puppy class too.  They couldn't see the point as he's so tiny and cute, he can get away with murder.  I soon set them straight that althought they have a toy breed, he's still very much a DOG!!!
Hmmmmmm. Sometimes I just love my dog and HATE people.  This is such a time!:(

This may be a totally ridiculous suggestion so ignore me if I am totally wrong but what about if they took the pup out along with another friend(ie you) and your dogs so the pup can see how other dogs wee??Also, the pup may be inclined to scent mark over the other dogs wee.  Would also be a good socialisation exercise too.
Tell them to watch the Paul O Grady progrmme at Battersea dogs home with the cute little chihuaha that was in danger of being put to sleep because he was spoilt rotten with almost fatal consequences. That may change their views :-)

Oh, that's a great idea, Fredsmum.  My pup wouldn't 'go' when out on walks for ages till I kept her on-lead and followed all my dogs when they were peeing on the walk, literally showing her what they were doing and telling the dog they were so good.  My oldies thought I was going mad!!! It's been years since I congratulated any body functions!!lol.  Worked a treat.
Great idea!!!

The only problem there is that it can take pups a lot of confidence to toilet in places where other dogs have, to mark territory or to go in any very public place.  Even pups without toilet training issues will often hold on and choose not to toilet where other dogs have marked.  Instead, I think hanging out in the garden is the best bet...

Has there been any progress?

Not much at all but it's definately the owner at fault.  He just cannot read the puppies signals and because I am so 'trained' to read them and spot him sniffing or circling straight away, it is totally knocking their confidence.  I have said that I will leave them too it.  I have written down all the info and tips and I have shown them how to read the puppy so it's up to them now.
I'm glad because I was about to grab him and run!!And I bloody hate toys!!lol(SORRY)
God help him  x