We've been struggling quite a bit with Chopper still. It seems like we never really make progress on certain things. The worst of it has been him eliminating in the house. For the first 3 weeks we had him he was completely house trained. Then, he started peeing and pooping in the house at night. Greg figured outt he way around that was to put Chopper in our room at night. That required teaching him stairs, which Greg did when I was away for a conference. Turns out Chopper settles down ok in our room. Often times when he gets super spooked he'll run up the stairs on his own to go where it's usually quiet. But, there are still times Chopper is left alone in the house and he eliminates.
Take today for example. He got pretty spooked by something. We couldn't figure out what had happened to set him off, but he was definitely having a hard time. Once he goes down that path every little thing makes him jump. Well, we finally got him downstairs and into the dining room where he is gated when we leave. Off we went to a party and when we came back the dining room was covered in pee, and the kitchen had two piles of poop in it. Not really sure why--he went out not long before we left. We have hardwood floors, however, and the pee has started to soak through into our basement. This is a big problem. I really wish we had a solution.
I've reread a lot of the things that the trainers I've consulted with suggested. I'm going to try backing up and starting at the beginning. That means simple games, do hand targeting from the start, and get him used to the anxiety wrap once and for all. I hope it makes a difference.
Well housebreaking problems are really heartbreaking! For me it affects my relationship with my pet if they are not peeing/pooing in the right place. I hope that your trainers' suggestions work well.
ReplyDeleteIf it were me -- and I know it isn't! -- I would work with him specifically on eliminating when left alone like he was a puppy. I would paper the entire area where he is left alone. Take it up one piece at a time, very gradually making the area where he is to go smaller and smaller. Always leaving a used pad in one corner so that he knows where he is supposed to go, and taking up parts from the opposite side and working towards the designated corner. If he goes anywhere that isn't papered go back to papering the entire area again. Maybe he will always have a housebreaking problem while you are gone (hopefully not!) but at least your belongings won't be damaged and you won't be (even subconscioiusly) mad at him for that.
And that would give all of you breathing space while you work on the other techniques to calm and socialize him.