Housebreaking a dog.

[four_by_ken]

I found that crate training works best for my dogs. The dog won't want to "eliminate" in their small space so when you let her out of her crate take her straight outside. It makes it easier for you to keep an eye on the dog and to help it understand where its supposed to eliminate.

I missed the crate  part... very good point. 

[Helloitsme]

Sorry, I didn't read the whole thread...... Is it crate trained? That's step one. Every time it comes out of the crate, it goes outside for 5-10 minutes (you may have to start with taking it out on a leash). If it doesn't go to the bathroom it goes back in the crate for 5-10 minutes, repeat until the dog goes to the bathroom. When it does it comes back in the house and doesn't have to go in the crate. Then when you are in the house with the dog take it out every 15 minutes or so for about a week, then every 30 for a week, 45, 60 etc. It sounds like the issue is the dog has never had to hold it. Trust me this method works. I've used it several times on dogs ranging in age from 6 week old puppies to adults. It sounds like a lot of work but it takes about a month of consistency before the dog will tell you that it needs to go outside. There's a book called What Every Good Dog Should Know, not too expensive and it's the Bible of dog training as far as I am concerned.

[Ron]

First order of business is to make sure everybody in the house is on the same page, it sounds easy but it isn't always so.

Very good point.

Perhaps consider training classes? IMO "dog training" is more for people than it is for dogs.

[olliesshop]

We just got a Puppy (3.5 month old) about a month ago and are struggling with the same issue.  I wish I had some great advice, but have yet to learn the perfect solution.  Although, I think our key is (as folks have said) to get everyone in the house on the same page and be consistent.  Right now she's about 25% trained, as in we spend a ton of time outside with her, but she only goes outside about 1/4 of the time.  Most of the time, it seems, she'll come back in and almost right away go on the floor.    Hopefully in a few more weeks she'll be trained, but it is so frustrating.

Good luck !!!

[danielratti]

I've done the training thing I felt like it was a waste of money but that is just me. I know with curs they want to please there master and pretty much once they realize you're the leader they will do what you say. They are supposed to make good family dogs but that's once you get them past the wanting to heard people phase. I noticed she will try to get me to stay in one area if I am in the yard with her.

[djlamonica]

I found that crate training works best for my dogs. The dog won't want to "eliminate" in their small space so when you let her out of her crate take her straight outside. It makes it easier for you to keep an eye on the dog and to help it understand where its supposed to eliminate.

100% agree never had problems with house training a dog until this last one.  We tried everything and nothing worked.  We were thinking about getting rid of her because of the baby.  I read some where online to try getting her a crate, never crated a dog before so I was skeptical.  But we tried it and it worked with flying colors no accidents after about 1 week dog was probably close to a year or so at the time.

[danielratti]

When some of you guys say crate train should I throw her bed in there with some of her toys? Ive never had luck with it but I gave it a shot last night we got the crate and put her stuff in there the hardest part was getting her to go in but after about 20 min of her being in there she laid down and was was quiet. I gave her a treat and let her out side shortly after. She did fine over night didn't even freak out after I put her in before we went to bed. She did fine through out the night also so maybe this will work.

[four_by_ken]

Depends on if she messes in there or not.  Give it a shot. 

We always put toys with our dogs in their crates.  Gives them something to do.  Just make sure it isn't something them can chew apart.

[danielratti]

She did fine last night and I put food in there for her this morning after she was out she did fine except she is a little bit of a messy eater and then she went back out. We will see how she does today since my girlfriend has the day off. I told her take her out every hour and walk her around the yard.

[Helloitsme]

Not to be a dog snob but I wouldn't hold out for AKC papers as I do not believe that The Stephens Cur is recognized by the AKC. By definition Cur is another word for Mongrel. I did a smidge of research and saw that it is a "Scent Hound" not a herding breed. Hounds can be the toughest group of dogs to housebreak. I commend you for saving her and wish you nothing but luck. FYI it's probably never going to be a dog that you can let off leash in an unenclosed area, if it is indeed a Stephens Cur.

[djlamonica]

I would not feed her in the crate.

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

if you want her to use her crate more often put a blanket over top of the crate so its a more closed in feeling for the dog (not the front just the top and sides). if she messes in the crate use a divider to make the crate a little smaller. IME if the crate is to big then they will drop a dookie on one side and sleep on the other. i also agree to maybe not feed her in the crate long term but it could help her short term to see the crate as a positive place to be. also dont use the crate as a punishment as this will cause her to not go in the crate when shes not acting up and create a negative connotation with her being in there. as always lots of praise when she sharts and piddles outside and praise when she goes easily into the crate. i beleive in lots of positive reinforcement and that works for me. im not really into beating your dog til it figures out what you want, so most of my methods are aimed with lots of positive reinforcement and praise.