I've often wondered, why a house trained dog won't mess in someone elses house. I can understand they learn not to mess in their own house, but how do they know not to mess in a different house? Is it because they know to go outside only? Using that as an example, my latest that has gone away for training has never been house trained, and in fact has hardly even been in the house, but she never messed in her kennel or run. Does this mean that she will be house trained because she knows to go outside, just like a house trained one?

It doesn't always follow that they will be clean away from home. I look after freineds dogs from time to time, and have learnt to start them off behind the baby gate in the kitchen, which leads into living room. I have quite often had a dog mess in the living room, but once they have settled, been outside to perform a couple of times, I can let them in to the living room, unless they are bolters or real pains to my girls, and then they stay behind the baby gwt, they can see and be part of things, but are safer.

Dogs are creatures of habit, and most prefer to be clean in their own immediate surroundings. some will transfer this to mean any place other than grass, or even their own particular toileting spot.

I visited a friend (now sdly deceased). he lived in a hunting lodge, and after a revamp had to keep all his dogs in a newly built kennel block.

This consisted of covered run with concrete runs containing a dog house, and an uncovered earth run.

He kept Elkhounds, and large Hanoverian Hounds.

The elkhounds used the far end of their earth runs to toilet in. the Three Hanoverians often fouled in the concrete covered portion of their runs, right next to their dog house and food dishes!!!!

Some toy breeds also don't mind fouling anywhere other than their actual beds.