I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that we got a year ago. One is now 2 1/2 years and one is 1 yr. Both are males. I have been working at this housebreaking issue for a year now and I am frustrated and my husband wants to get rid of them. They live in the kitchen since it is the easiest to clean. The two will "Go potty" on command outside, they have picked their favorite areas (depending on which direction we take when walking) for relieving their poop, and are very consistent when going outside. The problem is that there is no rhyme or reason to when they pee or poop in the kitchen. They will have just relieved themselves a multitude of times outside and then after being returned to the kitchen go again. I wish I could say that we never leave them alone, but with four children and being involved in church, school, and other service responsibilities, I am not in my kitchen all the time. I had the oldest one housebroken and then he figures if the puppy can go inside, so can he. My husband gave me a four month ultimatum to have them completely housebroken or out they go. I don't want to lose them and my daughter that relies on her dog for relieving stress and anxiety would have so many problems (the long story is we are military and this daughter doesn't do well in change. We bought her an Eskie that she adored and upon moving to Japan the airline killed the dog. We replaced him with the Cavalier and also bought another as a companion to the first.) Please, help me with some advice. Do I need anti-pee sprays? I want these dogs to be free to roam the house without needing to worry. I can't leave them kenneled outside because of the heat and humidity and the high risk of death.

I would use a crate to train them. It may seem harsh, but if the price of failure is losing them this method should work. And given you have four children, I expect that watching the dogs full time is impossible.

Take your dogs outside to exercise and relieve themselves. When you bring them back into the house, immediately they each go into their own crate. The crate should be just large enough for them to lay down and be comfortable. In other words, not big enough for them to soil. Repeat throughout the day. You may also need to pick them up as soon as you release them from the crate in order to take them outside, otherwise they might use the kitchen as their toilet first. This will take a couple of weeks and no matter what, you cannot allow the children or anyone to let the dogs out to play in the kitchen.

Also, make sure you are very careful that they are fed at the same time each day.

Stacey

The dogs are very well crate trained. We say "go to bed" and they go right in, and will often in the day just because. They never soil the crate unless they have diarrhea so, unfortunately, there are times they spend a lot of time in the crate. Which makes me think of another question. We have two crates, but the dogs refuse to be separated. They whine and cry when they are apart, so we have a little bit bigger of a crate that they snuggle together in. Is that a bad thing?
I read a thread about tying the dogs to a belt loop. I think I am going to have my older two (11 and 12 yr olds) do that the first two weeks of summer vacation. Maybe it will be something to help.
I thought that bleaching everything was good enough, but now I think we will do a rub down of the kitchen floor with vinegar and see if that will help some too.
We have tried what you suggested with leaving them in the crate at all times except to go outside, but the problem is they know where they are supposed to go, there just isn't any pin pointing the possible when or whys they might be going in the kitchen. Neutering has cut down immensely on the younger dog's "marking", (thank heavens) but their relieving themselves is not attached to being fed, or played with, or waking up. I can walk them for an hour, they will go a number of times, and fifteen minutes after being in the house, have an accident. But that isn't consistent. The next day, we may do the exact same thing and the kitchen stays clean all day.
Arlette

Hi just need to ask have these dogs been cut or they both still entire if so then get them done this will help as two males can some times just keep marking and thats all it is and get rid of any smells (sorry) dont make a big thing about it as they will do it more out of fear , hope all works out regards jackie, uk.

Arlette,

The problem is your dogs do not know where they are supposed to go. Right now they think it is perfectly acceptable to go outside or go in the kitchen - or the rest of the house if you allowed. Basically, they are not housetrained and you need to start from scratch. Basically, you give up your life for a couple of weeks while they are in intensive housetraining. If you think your older children will watch the dogs at all times - meaning the second they squat or raise their leg in the house they will be interrupted and whisked outside, then I suppose there is a chance it could work.

There does not need to be a specific pattern about when the dogs will go. In the wild they would go anytime they felt like it - which is what yours are doing now. Housetraining teaches dogs to "hold it in" until they are in an acceptable location to eliminate.

No problem with two dogs in the same crate if they are happy with the arrangement.

Stacey

It sounds as if you now have two overgrown puppies :) or maybe they're stressed when you leave them.

First of all you need to get rid of the smell which the dogs have left because of toileting in the house, even if you've washed the areas there's usually still something they can smell. The best way is to wash down the floors with Biological washing powder diluted in water with some vinegar added (cheap white stuff will do, when its dry we can't smell it but they can) and this will help to deter them. If you can't remember where they've 'been' a full carpet wash may be in order, and as they're dogs, if they cock their legs wash down the areas they cock at. The aim is to get rid of as much of the smell as possible so that there are no more cues.

The next thing is to prevent them soiling the house when you're not there and for this you need a dog cage or separate cages if they seem to learn from each other. If you get them used to the cages before you need to leave them then they will settle easily. Put them in their cage/s with a really interesting toy/chew when you have to leave and on your return take them straight outside with lots of praise for doing it right. If they soil their cage then they will learn its not nice and soon stop doing it. But please don't leave them for hours at a time.

While you are in the house take them outside every hour to potty which should give them no chance to make mistakes in the house, and watch them like a hawk to make sure you have no more mistakes, get the whole family involved in this :).

This will be alot of work at first but you will crack it. :)

Just a thought, if you change homes regularly the dogs may feel the need to 'mark' their new home at first especially if there was a dog there before.

Hope this helps
Regards
Dill

Are we talking about crates or cages? or a cage used as a crate? The two dogs are actually very well crate trained.
Is Biological washing powder something you think that PetsMart on line has that can be shipped overseas? Is this essentially an enzyme eater?
Arlette

Hi,
In the UK the word 'crate' is interchangeable with 'cage'.....it's just that most people think 'crate' is less emotive.

Biological washing powder is what you put in your washing machine to do your laundry with...

I think these dogs are very stressed up and your anxiety is transfering to them to them good luck I hope things improve

i have to agree with mattie, and the ultimatum business is pathetic, you can't put a time limit on a situation like this.when i got my boy lab at 9 months he marked his territory a lot in the house until he realised there was no way he was ever going to be top dog with two bossy old girls about(the dogs!!)
I know having dog pee all over when you wake up is no fun but you'll just have to persevere, and think about pleasing yourself for a change.once the dogs know you're chilled out i bet they will too!!good luck :)

As regards cleaning the kitchen, I would recommend a combined odour/stain remover that you get from the vet. Totalcare is very good.

I too think you have to start from scratch with them, regard them as puppies and take them out when they wake, after they eat, after play etc etc and give them copious praise when they go outside.

When they do go inside, don't make a fuss or tell them off, just clean it up.

Sounds to me like they are stressed out though - so would I be if I spent a lot of time crated and confined to the kitchen while family life carried on elsewhere! Please make the time to do intensive housebreaking as soon as possible so you can get this problem cracked and allow the dogs to participate in your life as they should. Meantime, try and relax about this - I am sure they will be picking up on your distress about the situation.

I too would suggest that the dogs are stressed, hopefully following the advice given will help to sort the problem out.

I wonder too how your daughter depends on the dogs, for example does she use them as comforters if she is upset? As if that is the case, it is understandable but may well stress the dogs. I do wish you well and hope that the problem can be solved,

BEst wishes
Lindsay

My daughter isn't one to talk about things that bother her. Rather, she will cuddle up to her dog, play with him and talk to him. Interestingly enough, she is an honor student but when we move her grades drop to C's. With a dog to talk to, she doesn't have that drastic curve at the beginning of a school year at a new school.
I had never thought of the dogs as being stressed as they are always bouncing around, tails wagging like crazy. But we will definitely give it a total housebreaking and hopefully we will see a big difference shortly!

I had a similar problem with my older bitch, Saffi, and my pup, Dill.

They both used to sleep in the kitchen, and previous to Dill arriving, Saffi was 99% clean inside, but, if she did need to go, she wouldnt wait long. (Unlike the other dog, Rocky , who can and will wait 12 hours or more rather than mess the house!)

When Dill arrived, because he would mess inside, so would she!

Too cut a long story short here, I now have Dill sleeping in my room, with Rocky. Now he does not mess inside, or very rarely,which we are getting to grips with. This is taking longer because i have a housemate, and unfortunately, in the year he has lived here, he STILL hasnt got it into his head taht when the dog needs out, it needs it NOW, not five, ten , fifteen minutes later, when he has finished his computer game, or tv program.

If they were my dogs, i would make sure that they spent as much time with me as possible, at first, and any time alone was spent in the crate. Do not give them the opportunity to mess in the house, EVER, for at least two or three weeks, or longer.
Towards the end of that time, watch for them asking to go outside, even if its just a move towards teh door, the quicker they make the link between standing by the door, and being let out to toilet, the better.
Do NOT let them play about outside, it should be straight out, toilet, straight back in for a game, fuss, etc. If they are messing about, take them out one at a time, leaving the other crated. IF they still keep playing, take them back inside, and try again.

Good luck, it is incredibly frustrating having dogs that are not clean in the house!

Em

hi scrappingchick,
All my dogs are housebroken this is how i did it.

i took my dogs out at 40 minute intervals daily.Generally the more opportunity your dogs have to pass urine and faeces in the correct place with a reward the faster they will learn and understand where they need to go to the toilet.
Watch your dogs you will learn there body clock given time,the signs that they need the toilet are

they may sneak off
restlessness
sniffing the floor or an area
circling
squatting

at times when you may not beable to supervise a crate is a good idea lined with vet bed or blankets.
if you catch your dogs urinating or passing faeces,say "NO" in a firm and deep voice.DO NOT SHOUT AT THEM.
if you return home and they have passed faeces and urine, IGNORE them,DO NOT tell them off,and DO NOT show them it.
Do not use strong odour bleaches,washing detergent and very hot water will suffice.Otherwise you run the rist of them scent marking later on.
The most important thing is PRAISE when they do it correctly.
good luck,
jane

Hi Scrappingchick

All the posts have given sound and common sense both crating or going back to the basics.

A couple of points to remember.
It is always important to ensure that there is no underlying medical cause for the toilet problems, particularly if the problem develops very suddenly. Bladder or bowel infections and injuries can mean that a dog just cannot hang on until you return. Get your vet to check. Just as in humans, elderly dogs can become incontinent. There is very little that can be done, so please don’t distress your old friend. Sometimes elderly dogs can become senile and just ‘forget’ where to go. If this happens, go back to the puppy routine and praise him every time he goes outside. However in your case these are young virile dogs. Have they been neutered?

OLDER DOGS
When an adult dog starts messing indoors there is usually a psychological cause. The following are the commonest reasons:
A new dog in the house, or even just visiting.
A fright outdoors, such as fireworks.
A family crisis, causing tension in the household.
A Household move I believe this may be the key in your case as you are military and constantly moving married quarters.

CLEANING
Dogs tend to return to the same spots to urinate so it is very important to clean up effectively. Do not use any products containing ammonia as urine contains ammonia and you are only making the area smell more attractive. Some dogs also do not like the smell of some strong disinfectants and will mark more vigorously to get rid of it. The best cleaning product is a biological washing liquid. The biological action helps to break down the fat and protein and really get rid of it. If you can get some, a quick rub over with surgical spirit finishes it off.

ATTENTION SEEKING
Some dogs will perform right in front of you to get some attention. If one or both dogs are becoming dominant they may be doing it to prove a point about who is really in charge. Some insecure dogs are so desperate for attention that they prefer to be shouted at than ignored. Again it may be better to get professional help if you suspect that your dog is doing this, as the treatment is completely different for each reason.

NEVER RUB YOUR DOG’S NOSE IN THE MESS!
This is an outdated and barbaric treatment and only serves to upset and traumatise your pet. Usually you end up with a pet that is even frightened to go outdoors as all that he has learned is not to go in front of you. Whatever the reason for the problem, try to examine the bigger picture. When trying to help your pet, remember never to punish your dog for anything you find later. You must catch them in the act if you are to stop them.

Regards

Doglistener

Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments. The dogs have been in tow (tied to my belt loop or the kid's loops) and taken out immediately if they start walking towards the door. They have been very happy (you can see the big smiles). I really hope this works out 100% because I will be so excited to have friends around the house again.
Thank you again, everyone!
Arlette