House Training Relapse in Adopted Dogs

Occasionally dogs adopted from a shelter or rescue group will act as if it has forgotten its housetraining. Sometimes the issue is the lack of opportunity for the animal to eliminate outdoors while at the shelter. In other situations, the dog may be confused by scents of other animals in the home and attempt to mark its territory. The owner should work closely will the new pet to establish, or re-establish, the dog's housetraining habits, according to the website of the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The process is similar to housetraining any new dog or puppy.

  1. Routine

    • Establishing a regular routine encourages the dog to eliminate at the same time and, hopefully, at the proper place. This will also help establish a bond with the newly adopted animal. This includes feeding at the same time, walking the dog as soon it awakens in the morning and when you arrive home from work and taking walks in the same location so the dog can establish its spot.

    Praise

    • You must praise the dog when it eliminates its waste. The words don't matter, but the tone of voice and overall presentation should give the dog the feeling it just did something good. A treat is optional. Ignore all accidents and praise all successes.

    Be Watchful

    • Watch the dog anytime it is loose in the house. Take the dog for a walk any time it shows signs of squatting, sniffing or walking in circles. All of these are signs the dog is preparing to eliminate. Spending time with the animal increases the connection between the human and the adopted dog.

    Watch What is Fed

    • Feed a high quality kibble and avoid table scraps and treats. The treats can upset the digestive tract and cause an abrupt need to eliminate that can disrupt the housetraining schedule.

    What to Expect

    • Dogs that were housetrained before being placed for adoption usually relearn the habits quickly when proper steps are taken to reinforce the desired behavior. In some cases, the dog may not have had proper housetraining before it was placed for adoption. The animal can be housetrained, if the proper techniques are followed, but it will take longer and require more effort.