I want to take in a 7 yr old male pug

[mojavewolf]

Someone I know has a 7 yr old male pug...They keep him outside because they say he pees in the house! If I take him is there any way I can train him to go outside? How would I go about training him....I have a lab /shep I rescued from the pound two years ago and she is 6 yrs old.....I am wondering if the pug will follow her ..She is completly house trained...I want to make this pug a house dog and give him a loving home..Please anyone can you help me decide ?? Should I take this pug in or is he untrainable now ? I dont want pee all over my house either..Then my other dog will pee...I have alot of love to give this little dog,so I hope its not hopeless..I am willing to work with him... PLEASE HELP ASAP......

[pugaddiction]

I think that every dog is trainable, you just have to be willing to put in alot of effort and time, especially for an older dog who has not been trained properly. It is not an overnight, couple days or couple weeks fix. I would also wonder if there might be health issues with him if he is peeing in the house all the time, and has he been neutered. If you take this poor fellow in, you can expect that there will be accidents. He may just be a marker and that is difficult to fix. I have one here that marks when we are not home. I fix it by putting a belly band on him. I am a true believer that pugs should not be kept outside, especially in extreme heat or cold conditions. They are companion dogs and need to be with there people, not locked outside by themselves. I am hoping that you will consider taking this poor fellow in and get him inside where he deserves and belongs. If you can't take him, maybe you could call a rescue group to help him out. Best of luck on your decision.

[Tinker's mom]

I agree with pugaddiction. It will take time and patience but you will be rewarded many times over. A trip to the vet's first then set up a regular schedule and stick to it. Lavish treats and praise every time you get the desired result. Ignore accidents. We walk every morning and late afternoon.Tinker goes out in my backyard in between walks and in the evening. Pugs for the most part don't run to the door to go so a schedule that is adhered to works well.Good luck, I hope you get "pugged" you'll never regret it!

[Melody]

I don't have much advise about training. I just wanted to say that if you do take the dog in, it would be a great act of kindness. This dog needs to be rescued by you or a very loving, patient someone soon.

[Hellas]

I agree with previous speakers. That little guy needs a loving home where he can be where he belongs, close to adoring humans. I have no experience potty training an older dog, but if he is healthy (not incontinent) and it's not marking behaviour, keeping a schedule and rewarding success should do wonders. A belly band can help with marking. Apart from that, I simply suggest that you train him to understand the command 'no'. My boy wants to mark some times when we are at other people's houses (especially if another dog has been there), but he always stops on command.

[Pugpillow]

Yes, older dogs can certainly be trained. I once trained a 10 year old puppy mill survivor who didn't like to be outside. And it should be easier with another dog already trained.

Take a piece of newspaper soaked in urine (either from his first accident indoors or from your lab/shep and put it outdoors where you want him to pee. Make sure it is up against something like a tree or a "pee post" so he can pee with his leg up. Weight the paper down with some rocks or something to make sure it doesn't blow away. If it rains, you'll need to replace it. Lead him to the newspaper and say "pee". Do this as many times as needed over the first few days. When he pees there, or anywhere outside, lavishly praise him by saying "good pee!!!!!" in a happy, excited voice and immediately give him a tiny treat (you need to carry a bag of treats in your pocket when you go out). Say "good pee" to your lab/shep every time too so the pug knows to associate the action with the words. And when you're taking them (not sending them) outdoors to pee, say "go pee", so he knows what's expected. The thing is to communicate what you want him to do and where and to reward when he does - every time. Eventually you will wean him off the treats gradually, treating some times and not others but that's a while down the road.

In the house, keep him in a belly band (you'll need several if he pee in them). If he does pee in them, keep a close eye to see when his schedule is and take him outside beforehand. At minimum, take him out first thing when he wakes up, mid-day, after each meal and last thing before bed. And if there is an accident in the house, don't make a big deal, just clean it up. If you scold him, he'll just pee when you're not looking.

[snowsprite]

What does 'pee in the house' entail? There's a difference between a dog marking or having a couple of accidents in the house, and a dog that has never been trained to go outside, or is hard to train.
To me, a few accidents are absolutely forgivable, especially if the weather's bad or you get home late (heck, I'd probably go on the floor too!). But some people have no tolerance for a dog that doesn't conform to their irrational standards. If you could find out more about what the actual issue is, you may find out that it's not as bad as they make it seem.

[puglover064]

I am having issues with my 8 year old male pug. He has issues with marking around the house. I have bought the doggie diaper and he some how figures how to get it off. I am going nuts.

Thanks puglover064

[Cheryl7777]

Puglover064
What kind of doggie diaper are you using? Our males could escape from a belly band and any of the doggie diapers we got from the local stores. I woke up one morning to find a nice wet one right by my face on the pillow. I am now using the peekeeper doggie diaper. They are a little more expensive but worth every penny. Our little pee pot can't get out of these.
PeeKeeper Dog Diapers -- escape-proof for male and female dogs

[puglover064]

Cheryl-

I will check into that. I got the one that his tail goes through it and well I think he is laughing at me when I am putting it on him... Thanks for the info...