How to Train a German Shepherd to Not Pee in the House

Hello Sacanna, For a crate to be effective it needs to be large enough for the dog to lay down, turn around and stand, but no larger. If it is large enough for the dog to pee in one end and stand on the other end away from it it won't utilize a dog's natural desire to hold their pee in a confined space. Also, the area should be anything absorbent in the crate, including a soft bed or towel. Anything absorbent will also encourage peeing. If you need something for Kaleesi to lay on in the crate use something like www.primopads.com Clean the crate thoroughly with an enzymatic pet cleaner. The cleaner must contain enzymes to fully remove the smell for a dog's sensitive nose. Any remaining smell will encourage peeing and pooping in that spot again. Look on the cleaner bottle for the word enzyme or enzymatic somewhere. Even bleach will leave the smell, but many pet stores, stores like Walmart, or Amazon carry enzymatic pet cleaners. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Joy, To find out whether it's marking or just a potty training issue you would need to know if they went potty right before they came inside - and still marked. If they are holding it while outside and peeing inside that's probably a potty training issue, especially since they have always struggled with this and poop inside too. If they both go potty outside, then pee AGAIN inside - that sounds like marking. I suggest going outside with them when they go potty to find out - you will need to go with them for potty trips for a bit anyway to help with potty training. If it's marking, have both dogs wear a belly band - which is like a male diaper that covers just their male parts. You need to stop the spreading of scent to break this habit. Also, clean up all accidents with a cleaner that contains enzymes - only enzymes will remove the smell fully and the scent needs to be removed for the competing to stop - it also needs to be removed for potty training to work so they don't associate the house with peeing. Since its more likely a potty training issue, I suggest going back to crating both of them. You need to go with them to take them potty, tell them to "Go Potty" and watch them to make sure they go. If they go potty, then praise and give three small treats - one at a time. If they are just playing or getting distracted when you take them potty, then they need to be taken on leash, one at a time right now, and slowly walked around and encouraged to sniff. It may be that they get too distracted when with each other outside and need to be let outside separately for pottying - the faster they go, the faster they can move onto playing or come back inside. Going potty outside quickly is their ticket for getting to the next thing they want to do, instead of them going outside, then asking to come back in without doing anything. Since you will be going with them to see if they went potty, then if they don't go, when you take them back inside put whoever didn't go potty into the crate. Pottying = freedom. Not pottying = being in the crate. They should only be out of the crate when you know they are empty. Check out the article linked below for more tips. The article was written for puppies so the times will be very different for your boys - pay attention to how long they tend to be able to hold it for before having an accident and create your own schedule. While in the crate they can likely hold it for 7-9 hours, and while out of the crate 3-5 hours if it's not marking. When they get close to their bladder filling up again, they either need to be taken back outside or crated until time to go to ensure they don't potty in the house. Crate Training method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, you have two issues to deal with concerning handsome Appollo. Firstly, the potty training. Take your new dog outside often, you can use a potty encouragement spray to aid in the peeing outside. Before you take Appollo out, spray an area on the grass. As soon as you head out, you take him directly there. Praise him and give him 4 treats each success, and give them one at a time so he really enjoys them. When cleaning up inside, use an enzymatic cleaner - it's the only thing that really removes the urine odor. Buy it at the pet supply store when you get the spray. As for the fear of going in the house, because you do not know his past it is hard to say why he has the issue. I suggest that you give him space when inside so that he does not feel overwhelmed and confined but still provide a comfy bed for him with toys. Occasionally place a few treats on the bed and let him find them himself when he goes there, as a surprise reward. Don't stand over him - get on his level, even sit on the floor and let him come to you. It will take time. You can read this as well: https://wagwalking.com/training/trust Good luck!

Hello! When adult dogs have potty training issues, I often suggest just starting completely over as if your dog were a puppy. That usually solves any issues with in a few weeks or less. I am going to send you quite a bit of info on potty training. It is geared towards puppies, but the process is exactly what you will want to follow. Potty training: Know Your Pup. As you spend time with your puppy, learn your puppy’s love language. Just as some people prefer gifts, touch, or time spent together, puppies can be the same way. Some puppies love praise or pets, while others prefer treats. As you get to know your puppy, consider what reward your puppy loves the most. Create a Daily Schedule. It is best to have a routine for your puppy. A schedule helps them understand when to eat, play, and “go to the bathroom.” Your puppy should go out frequently and the routine should be the same every time. When? Start the day by taking your puppy outside, and repeating based on age and ability. They should also go out after napping, chewing, playing, and within 10 to 15 minutes of eating. Although some puppies can sleep for seven hours, it is important to set an alarm and take your pup out during the night. When you do, don’t make a fuss about it. Quietly take them outside with minimal stimulation and light. Praise them if they go to the bathroom and gently return them to their bed or crate. You don’t want them to get stimulated and ready to play in the middle of the night! As you get to know your puppy, you will become aware of their individual habits. Click here to learn more about house training schedules for puppies. Where? Take your puppy to a specific area to urinate or defecate. Be consistent. You can create an area by using urine-soaked paper or bowel movements to help create an aroma to stimulate your puppy. How? Take your puppy out on a leash so they can focus on the desired activity. This will help prevent them from wandering off to play. Once your puppy is in the selected area, use your verbal cue, such as “Hurry Up,” “Poopies,” “Go tinkle,” or any phrase your puppy responds to. What? Know the signs that your puppy has to go to the bathroom. Every animal may have a different “I gotta go” gesture, which often include restlessness, sniffing around, circling, scratching at the door, barking, and, eventually, squatting. At the first sign that your pup has to go, calmly and quickly take them outside to their bathroom spot. Deal with Accidents. Accidents are a normal part of house training a puppy. What to Do If you see your puppy in the process of urinating or defecating inappropriately, calmly and quickly interrupt them in the act. Tell them to stop (either by a jarring sound or command), and immediately take them to an appropriate location for elimination. After your puppy goes to the bathroom, lavishly praise them and offer a treat. Thoroughly clean up accidents, so your puppy is not attracted to this area again. Create a consistent feeding and watering schedule. Depending on the age of your puppy, they will eat three to four times a day. A consistent feeding routine can create a regular bathroom schedule. Take away water about 2 hours before bedtime. Learn more about ideal dog schedules here. What NOT to Do Don’t punish your puppy when they have an accident. At that point, it is too late. When a puppy has an accident in the house and they walk away, within seconds they have already forgotten about what they did. Taking them to the scene of the crime and yelling and/or rubbing their nose in it does not help and, in fact, can harm your puppy! Supervise. The best thing you can do is to prevent accidents and the best way to do this is to supervise your puppy at all times. You can tether your puppy to your waist with a five or six-foot leash and carefully observe them for signs that they need to go to the bathroom. If you can’t supervise, then crate or confine your puppy. The more accidents your puppy has in the house, the more confusing it will be for them and this can delay house training. Reward, Reward, Reward. It is important to give your puppy a reward for their good behavior. This can be for commands such as sitting and coming to you, or for appropriately eliminating outside. In a puppy, a reward can be a couple kibbles of puppy food or a treat, such as a small piece of meat. The treat should be exciting for them and only available as a result of good behavior.