potty training at 4 years old

[bkatec]

I have a 3.5 year old maltese that I'm having recurring potty training issues with. I never crate trained her and didn't use potty pads. When I first got her there was always someone home so we would take her out several times during the day. At times she will go for months without any accidents in the house. Now it seems every few months she goes thru a stage where she would start going to the bathroom in my apartment. I got her a crate and leave her in the crate while I am at work or out of the house. Now she has started going to the bathroom in the apt and ON FURNITURE (!?!?!) even after I've taken her outside. (she will urinate and poop and STILL goes in the apt) I've been using the crate for a few months now... so the other day we went out in the AM and she did both her business. I decided to try leaving her out while I ran to the grocery store... when I got back she had peed and pooped in the apt. Am I supposed to leave her in the crate for her whole life? (This is also a problem when we're visiting other people too)

She is a nervous dog in general but I don't understand why we go thru these phases. We're on a pretty regular schedule because I am a teacher so it's the same thing every day. It's almost as if she's never been potty trained before! I am totally aggravated and don't know what steps to take next.

EXTRA INFO
**She sleeps with me ... So sometimes when my alarm goes off in the morning if I hit snooze she will get up and go to the bathroom in the apt. I realize this is partially my fault but also part of a bigger problem.
** I don't pick up her food or water... she's never been a problem dog where she begs or scavenges for food. You could drop chicken in front of her and she will not go after it... she will slowly sniff it out giving you enough time to get it. She eats twice a day on her own... in the morning and at night... She's not overweight (6 lbs) and never gains an ounce.
**She is a nervous dog and has become increasingly territorial

Has anyone else had this problem? I definitely need some suggestions on how to handle this... It's really driving me crazy!!

[carriegene]

I would have the carpet cleaned thoroughly. And then get the Dog Appeasing Pheromone that is used with nervous dogs. I got it for different reasons, but it is used with this situation as well. You can get it from your vet and sometimes on line. It is a diffuser. You can't smell it but it calms the dogs. Go back to basic training as if she knew nothing. Monitor when she eats, when she drinks, when she potties. Do this for two or three days and then train her accordingly. Do not leave food out all day.

[gracelikerain2]

hi hope by now things have calmed down for you --just catching up on the forum--but here is my two cents !--your baby is nervous and that should tell you a lot--she will pick up on your frustration also-- the advise for pheromones is right on-- i got them for minnie and she just mellows out when i spray extra around her places-but i can go for days and not spray--also minnie was not trained six yrs old ==but with peserverance and that word (patience) i have trained her to the pads ! although she does her business on our walks --she has never asked to go out maybe being a rescue she never connected the dots-- but she pees outside in fact she is a marker every few feet--b ut i have to be happy with what she has accomplished she is very smart -- and yet sometimes she goes backward and will pee in the house--especially when i am gone--so i think training will be a lifetime commitment --she knows where to go i think it may be her way of "getting me lol ----'your baby is trying to tell you something--have you considered just using one room gated instead of the crate she must hate going in there--i really dont have the answer except to hang in there--but discipline is needed as well do you let her know you are unhappy? and show her where to go sometimes we just have to go back to puppyhood !-also does she get walked ?-our babies want to be near us all the time-- -do try not to be overly concerned you will find the right thing to do-- take care minnie and me

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice! Kiwi is doing better... I have been putting her in the crate consistently but I do notice a difference when I take her out. She knows she has to pee and poo out there. Before she would go out and just sniff around and 20 minutes later she would pee and that would be it.... then she'd come inside and go. Frustrating!! Now within a few minutes she does her business. So there are some improvements... we're gonna keep on trekking and see if we can get this fixed permanently! But any other comments and suggestions are surely welcomed! :)

[natasha just natasha]

Hi, I am new to this site. I have a 2 year old female who also has never been trained. I want to train her but i feel sad when i think about crate training her because she is not use to being locked up all day, but the shampooing of the carpet is getting to be a bit much! When i first got her she was 9 weeks old and at that point she was trained to go on her pad, but over time she has not been doing that. She has been for the last two weeks going on her pad but also on the carpet, I to think that she is a bit nervous. I dont really want to lock her up (crate her) all day but i think that its time for a change, I lover her and want us all to live in a happy environment. That smells good. any suggestions?

[MyMalteseKid]

When you started to use the crate while you were not home this could make her a little stressed. She doesn't understand why the crating. I would try to wee wee pad train her so that maybe accidents will not happen in the apt. Can you leave the her and a wee wee pad in the kitchen after you have trained her to use them? I think she is doing this because of Separation Anxiety.

If you are free feeding her try not to leave her food down all day. This will help you to get to know her business schedule and it would be more under control for you. In the AM & PM leave her food down for about 30 minutes. If she doesn't eat it pick it up and try again later. Even if they eat just a little at a time while free feeding it will cause them to release it more often.

Yep the snooze button isn't her fault...she isn't changing that routine :)

You can try to wipe down your apt and furniture with White Vinegar and Water in a spray bottle to try to eliminate all the past accidents and also for any future ones. Don't call her attention to it if she has an accident. I think that would make it worse for her or maybe this is another way for her to get your attention.

When you leave the house leave a radio on for her and give her a treat right before you leave and don't make a fuss about leaving...just said I'll be back. You may want to practice leaving if you have time.

Let us know how your little one is doing. I hope soon the accidents will end.

[Alfie]

I wouldn't feel guilty about crating, I heard dogs revert back to pack behavior and actually like being in the crate. It seems to create a secure environment for our little guy. In the morning before we leave for work, he runs in and patiently waits for his "treats". Make it a positive experience with a reward each time, never a punishment...I would hate to think of my little guy running through the entire house all day looking for us. I truly believe he seeks comfort in his "den".

[seedrake]

You're not alone. I have a three year old that does the same things but mostly the poops. Drives me crazy also! My guy uses a litter box and most of the time he's great THEN we start with these misshaps. I have been wondering what to do also. I free feed and from what I'm reading here, I think I'll try not doing that and see if that helps. Thanks to all!