kristen walter
Forums Regular
Thank you! I will hopefully be updating with good news soon!
Need help with regression/anxiety
- Thread starter kristen walter
- Start date
Ann
Moderator
I agree with Caro....this is typical with puppies, who almost always have a period of regressing in house training sometime around or after six months. They suddenly forget everything you were sure they knew. Go back to basics, with a firm "no," if you catch him in the act. His going when you're out of the room tells you that he probably knows that he shouldn't be doing it. I had one puppy who would sneak off to another room and go until she was more than a year old! It's frustrating, but it does pass.
Try taking him outside more frequently and go back to treating when he performs. Use lots of praise when he goes. Patience is key. You're not alone!
Try taking him outside more frequently and go back to treating when he performs. Use lots of praise when he goes. Patience is key. You're not alone!
kristen walter
Forums Regular
Thank you. We are going to be trying all the suggestions that have been made. A lot of good ideas. Hoping something works soon. I have been lucky in the past with puppies that did not have issues after they were housebroken so all of this is new to me.
DianeP
Forums Enthusiast
If you and he spend most of your time in the living room and dining room, he might view other parts of the house as different and available for potty- ing. Dogs don’t like to go where they live which is why they don’t go in their crates typically. Maybe you could gate off the other parts of the house until his potty training gets a refresher course. That way, he succeeds and you don’t go crazy! Good luck with it.
kristen walter
Forums Regular
Thank you. I will be trying all suggestions until something works. I appreciate all the suggestions!
Sharon7
Moderator
My one piece of advice - set him up for success by severely limiting his freedom in the house! I know it's a pain but he should be in the same room with you or confined by a pen, crate, baby gate, etc, then housebreaking 101 again, out every hour or so to encourage elimination, and reward I remember Ally liking to sneak off to another room and pee, also. So, you just make sure that can't happen. I know you are thinking "But he should be completely past this by now", yep, you'd think. And more effort on your part just when you thought you were free! 
But this too shall pass.
But this too shall pass.kristen walter
Forums Regular
Thank you. I am getting a baby gate tomorrow to keep him in the family room. Yesterday he had 2 accidents. None so far today. He used to bark to let me know he had to go outside. For some reason he pretty much stopped letting me know. Last night he did bark to let me know. I am hoping he will start letting me know again.My one piece of advice - set him up for success by severely limiting his freedom in the house! I know it's a pain but he should be in the same room with you or confined by a pen, crate, baby gate, etc, then housebreaking 101 again, out every hour or so to encourage elimination, and reward I remember Ally liking to sneak off to another room and pee, also. So, you just make sure that can't happen. I know you are thinking "But he should be completely past this by now", yep, you'd think. And more effort on your part just when you thought you were free!
Hanne
Forums Sage
Kirsten W- do you go out with him and praise (treat) when he has done his business 
TheDailyPainter
Forums Enthusiast
Another thought...are you sure he goes when you let him out? My last sheltie a female was housebroken and reliable, but when she was young she started to pee in the kitchen when I was in the shower. I figured out it was because she was getting distracted outside and forgetting to do her business. I used to have to take her out on a leash to make sure she was doing what she was supposed to. I wish you good luck!
He is still pretty young. I don't think my Jesse was truly housebroken until one year or more. They do seem to have periods as they grow up where they forget everything you taught them. Jesse is just now starting to really settle down at 2 years old. He still gets too excited about pottying at times and forgets to go until he comes back in the door and I ask him "Don't you need to go?" and he runs back out and goes. I agree with others that maybe start from scratch again with potty training/crating.