Housebreaking Issues

My husband’s dog, a rescue, is definitely not housebroken, which gives me problems with Macy and will also give me problems with the puppy.

We also have a very open floor plan which doesn’t help much in housebreaking.  There are lots of places the dogs can go even when supervised.

Last summer I made some extra money and bought some really nice pet gates.  I also took a part an ex-pen and made barriers with it.  Unfortunately Maggie is determined and knocks the barriers aside, but at least we try.

I have also finally convinced my husband that Maggie needs to be either crated, or left in the dog room.  I prefer crated as she has gotten through the fence before during a thunderstorm and I am afraid that Macy might go with her.  Puppy is even worse.  We’ll have to close the dog run when the puppy comes as there are some places small enough for puppy to get to and we won’t be able to get to her, or she’ll be out of the fence.

I’ve just barriered off the last area that is a problem.  I am also going to focus on litter box training everyone, since I have one upstairs and it could solve some of the problems.

However, I think our best option is to put Maggie down, get new carpets and subfloors, and start completely over but I’m not sure that is an option either.

Maggie is definitely a dirty dog.   I’ve seen her lay down in places she just peed in, though she does do a good job in the crate these days.  Both dogs pee in the dog room, but at least it is slate and easy to clean.  I keep housebreaking pads there.