Breeds Notorious for Housetraining Problems

It is commonly known that various breeds of dogs are difficult to train. The explanation for housetraining problems often depends on the breed you have chosen. Hounds, both sight and smell, are distracted in the blink of an eye. They either see or smell something, and the main reason for being outside changes from a takedown mission to a hunt.

The following sight and scent hounds commonly fall into the category of difficult to house train: Afghan Hound, American Foxhound, Basenji, Bassett Hound, Beagle, Blood Hound, Dachshund, Irish Wolf Hound, Italian Greyhound, Norwegian Elkhound, Saluki and Whippet.

Due to their hunting instincts, some spaniels, such as the American Cocker Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles, and English Spaniel, also fall into the category of difficult to house trains. They often get distracted and “forget” the reason they are being taken outside. Working dogs and dogs that are slow to mature, such as Alaskan Malamutes, Great Danes, Siberian Huskies, Mastiffs, and Shar Peis, sometimes take as long as 2-3 years before they can be fully trusted. .

Terriers are notoriously difficult to housebreak. Independent by nature, unless their owner establishes their Alpha status immediately, firmly and consistently, terriers will relentlessly challenge their authority. Difficult to house train terriers include American Staffordshire, Cairn, Irish, Jack Russell, Lakeland, Norfolk, Norwich, Pit Bull, Rat, Soft Coated Wheaton, Welsh, and West Highland White.

Small and toy breeds have their own unique explanations for housetraining problems. First and foremost is the limited capacity of your bladder and bowel. Their owners must be mindful and reasonable in the amount of time allowed between eliminations. Due to their small stature, many do not like to get wet, walking through tall grass or snow, to relieve themselves outdoors. They also tend to dirty the house, because the vast expanse of where they live overwhelms them. Most dogs won’t get dirty in their den unless they absolutely have to. All small and toy dogs should be restricted to a smaller area, until you are sure they can be trusted to run the house. Small and toy dogs like the Affenpinscher, Belgian Griffon, Bichon Frise, Havanese, Maltese, Papillion, Pekinese, Pomeranian, Pug, Schipperke, and Shih Tzu fall into the more difficult domestic train class. The good thing is that they are also usually easy to train to use puppy pads!

Bottom line: If your dog is having housetraining problems, STAY CALM and follow these simple rules:

1. Take them outside IMMEDIATELY when they wake up in the morning, using a “code word” like “bathroom!” or outside!” EVERY time you take them outside.
2. Take them outside, within 10 minutes after meals.
3. Keep your dog on a regular feeding schedule. DO NOT leave food for them to graze on. Limit feeding time to 15-20 minutes. Then pick up the bowl. If you don’t know what time it comes in, you won’t know what time it leaves!
4. Take them outside IMMEDIATELY after a nap.
5. Take them outside, IMMEDIATELY after an exceptional emotion, such as your arrival home, the arrival of the company or the game.
6. Limit water 2-3 hours before bed. Take them outside for “last call” before bed.
7. Give young pups an extra 10 minutes outdoors, after they eliminate. Sometimes they get nervous or distracted and don’t “finish it.”
8. DO NOT reward your dog inside the house for what it should be rewarded for doing outside…it confuses them. Commendations and gifts for this mission should be given outside.
9. DO NOT praise your dog while it is in the process. Praise IMMEDIATELY, when your mission is complete. Some dogs become very distracted or excited when praised; they “forget” to finish!
10. If you can’t supervise your dog until you can trust him, restrict his access to a designated area.
11. Be patient and consistent. If YOU don’t stick to a schedule, your dog will find it more difficult and confusing to make the necessary associations.