Puppy pee on Throw rug

[GSDMUM]

My pup is about 4 months old now. She usually does fine with housebreaking but had one remaining problem...peeing right on the rug by the back door that we go out of to have her relieve herself. It's like she doesn't know and I'm not sure how to teach her HOW to tell me she has to go.

I've removed the throw rugs and she still goes by the door even after I have her outside with me for a long while, she may wait until she's inside and then go sometimes. I give her treats outside when she goes and keep an eye on her and any sniffing or circling behavior. I keep her crated at night and for an afternoon nap and then she is usually in the room where I am. I take her out once every half hour during the day. She gets acess to the backdoor when I am walking from room to room doing chores, making sure to open the door for her to go out and pee.

Did anyone else have this problem or will she be able to better let me know when she is a few months older? I have had two GSD's before, one took 1 1/2 mths to housebreak, the other only one week. Both were young pups.

[KZoppa]

Besides removing the rugs, have you thoroughly cleaned the floor with an enzyme cleaner? That might help to mop (if its hard floor type) with the enzyme cleaner just like you would use on carpets. The smell can stay on the floor otherwise.

[Samba]

I have had a couple of females who would relieve themselves on the throw rugs at the door like this as "older" puppies. I took up the rugs and took the pups out on a schedule as well as when they asked. They did eventually stop. I have experienced them having some regression in house trainng as they grew up and the rugs could not be down until they were older.

[GSDMUM]

Yes, the floor gets cleaned with enzyme cleaner and I have placed rubber mats by the door. My older dog needs traction, but I won't put down any rugs until this behavior is over. I'm glad I'm not the only one and that other dogs have gotten over this in time. I will keep a watchful eye on her.

[Lilie]

I have a mini doxie who does not exhibit the normal signs of needing to go. She doesn't sniff, or circle...she just goes. All my dogs know that if they stand by the door, they go outside. No questions asked. So when she goes by the door, I jump up and let her out. I'll make a big deal out of it, so now sometimes she'll do the happy dance when she goes to the door before I even make the move to let her out. I think that is the exact reaction I was looking for when potty training a "throw away dog" that couldn't be potty trained.

My GSD will stand at the door and look at me.

[Marnie]

From day one, my pup was on my schedule. He doesn't ask to go out, he goes out according to the schedule. He was six months when I got him so he was on a 4 hour schedule. Now, almost a month later, he is on a six hour schedule. For me this is very important because we can work around my sleep time, and my work time, etc. The dog easily learned the schedule and there has never been even one mistake. It was a little hard for me at first because I had to come home at noon and couldn't run errands after work. This too shall pass as the dog gets older.

You might try that, maybe a 2 hour schedule to start and increase to 3 then 4. Keep her out at least 15 minutes. Wait until the next scheduled time.

For my ancient border collie, I found some good traction mats at Farm and Fleet. Interlocking 2 foot rubber squares that can be combine to make a mat any size. Because she is very old, she does have an occasional accident. These mats are easily mopped with bleach or any kind of cleaner.