Training dog where to go potty...

[Arkaneinc]

I rescued a GSD last month. She did pretty good the first week there was an accident or two when I was not home. She's an in door dog and for the first couple of weeks she did great.

The problem that I am having now is I take her out to go potty every hour on the hour while I'm home. She doesn't stay inside any more while I'm not home because even when I left for 5 minutes she would go potty in the house. My yard isn't fenced in at the moment so when I do take her outside to go potty she refuses to go. I've noticed the only time she will go now is when I have her on the tie out.

I believe the problem is more me than the dog. I believe it was something I have done and not the dog.

What I would like to have happen is for my dog to alert me when she has to go. Also I'd like to teach her to go when I take her outside.

What's the easiest way to achieve this?

Also when she does have an accident I don't make a big deal about it because I've never caught her in the act. From what I have read if I scolded the dog after the fact she wouldn't associate it with the going potty in the house because it's long after she has.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Like I said I feel it's more my fault than the dog. It's just becoming more of a problem because it's not like I don't take her out to go. One time she went in the house not more than 5 minutes after I took her outside...

*edit*

forgot to mention when she does go potty outside I am rewarding her and giving her praise. I understand it takes time. Just wondering if I'm going about it the right way.

[Elaine]

You need to crate her when you can't watch her.

[Arkaneinc]

Originally Posted by Elaine

You need to crate her when you can't watch her.

what size would be best? I've looked online and know that they vary. the pet supply stores around here have been less than accommodating. One told me it doesn't matter. If you can stuff the dog in and it closes then the dog has enough room.

[DCluver33]

Originally Posted by Arkaneinc

what size would be best? I've looked online and know that they vary. the pet supply stores around here have been less than accommodating. One told me it doesn't matter. If you can stuff the dog in and it closes then the dog has enough room.

I have a 42" and my dog is 75 lbs and 23 inches at the shoulder and he can turn around, stretch out, sit, and stand in it with room to spare. You want it big enough for him to turn around in, sit and stand, but not so big that they potty in one side and lay in the other side.