Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:53 am Post subject: toilet training rescue dogs
I have just rescued a gorgeous black labrador bitch from horrendous conditions in Ireland, she is very amiable and gets on well with our other black lab, however she is 18mths and her toilet training seems to be non existent, i am taking her outside at least every 1-2 hours and she is 'doing both' frequently. This is very unlike our other dog whom goes long periods and can be left for up to 4 hours, whom is the same age, is it a bitch thing as our other lab is a dog?
I know she is a rescue and patience is the answer but we do not appear to be making any progress fast, i have put paper down near the door and shown it to her but she still goes on the carpet. I have tried a firm 'No' and 'naughty' but this has no effect, any suggestions for making her realise this is wrong? She gets praise and reward when she goes outside.
I have no expericence with rescue dogs but I would say act as though she is a puppy, take her out every half hour etc & plenty of praise when she is a good girl.
I suppose at her age and not having been trained before it might take a wee while for the penny to drop. I think you are doing the right thing and it should come together with persitance. best of luck and well done for taking her in!
I am having problems with CD as he will go inside the house but I can take him out for at least 30 minutes and he will do nothing, waiting until he gets back home!!!!
It is just a question of perseverance and patience.
Hi and welcome.
Your girl will need lots of time and patience to get used to everything that is new around her. Personally I would take her to the vets (if she hasn't already been) to check to make sure there isn't a urine infection present. Then its back to basics as Laura says with toilet training. Take her out frequently and reward for 'going'. I would also take the paper away and just encourage her to go outside.
If she does 'go' in the house, its best if you can stop her before she starts (you'll have to look for the signs) or get her mid flow and quietly take her outside to finish, then reward.
Amber is our rescue bitch (we also have an old boy, shep) and she would 'go' in the house, but I spent alot of time out and about and when she toiletted outside she would get lots of praise, but it did take time. I also got in the habit of praising Shep when he did something good, so she could see what was acceptable behaviour and that praise was given. Amber learned an awful lot from Shep.
I know its hard but try not to stress out too much about it, this will only make a nervous dog, more nervous.
Best of luck.
____________ Kimberley,Sheppy and Amber
Amber/Shep
Totally agree - about CD, Charley is the same. I will persevere i'm just not sure the cream carpet will see it that way! (Already in house when ought, oviously not lab friendly! Tee hee!) She is gorgeous, apparently there are loads of labs needing homes in Ireland. She was found wandering the streets of Dublin, very sad.
Aww poor girl, I'm sure you will help her learn and once she's settled and understands the rules she'll make you a wonderful companion.
My dog, Amber(6) was found wandering around Newcastle city centre after having not long had pups. We've had her now for almost a year come March and she is a different dog. But I think it's taken her months to really adjust to life in a house and getting used to new things around her.
Its amazing to see her confidence grow and acting like a puppy sometimes! but truely happy like all dogs should be.
____________ Kimberley,Sheppy and Amber
Amber/Shep
Take her back to being a puppy,outside every half hour and loads and loads of praise. sometimes with rescues because they haven't lived in a home before they just "go" when they need to and don't hold it like our older dogs do.
be very patient,she'll get the idea. don't tell her off for going inside even though it will frustrate the hell out of you just ignore it she'll see in your facial expression that your not happy,thats enough. just loads and loads of praise when she gets it right outside
Wow - she went throught the night no accidents - finally getting there, Thanks for all the advice. Patience and perseverence is definitely the key, also removed the newspaper and took her out every hour. She still won't do her thing when out on a walk though - any ideas??
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just ignore it she'll see in your facial expression that your not happy,thats enough. just loads and loads of praise when she gets it right outside 
