I can't seem to house break my dog. His name is LEO...he's 6 mo. and a red swissy. Well, we live in an apartment that has lots of stairs to get outside. I think maybe he doesn't like the stairs. I've tried putting his nose in the urine, taking him outside immediately after he go's, but he still likes the house. i get so angry with him, and yes I've hit him before. I'm at the point where I don't even want the dog anymore. :cry: Can someone please give me some advise or just moral support.

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good luck

[lulusmom]

A Swissy is not the best fit for apartment living unless you take him or her on long walks two or three times a day. Swissies generally respond best to firm but gentle training using positive reinforcement methods rather than the physical punishment you have been using. They are slow to mature and are puppies, both physically and emotionally, for 1 1/2 to 2 years. They can be stubborn at times but generally are eager to please, thriving on attention and praise.

There is absolutely no reason to ever hit a dog nor rub their nose in their own waste. If your anger and frustration is so great that you can't refrain from physical abuse, then I implore you to please start looking for a good home for your dog. There are breed specific and big dog rescue groups that would be willing to help asap, especially if they knew that you are at your breaking point and are taking it out on the dog. I work in rescue in So. Cal and if you are anywhere near me, I will be more than happy to help you find a new home.

I know this problem once i haved it to to my dog Snipp.

I made some little blog and maybe u can find some information about this problem (see blogs url in the signature)

Good luck in training

[lil mutt]

hitting your dog will not do any good... you should always be patient when training your dog.

Here is a link that states that Swissys are slow to house break {positive reinforcements please} and it may take nine months.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs

Hi
I agree with the other helpful replies and certainly not to punish your dog.

Dogs are very clean animals and do not like to pass their motions near to where they eat and sleep. They have a regular pattern. for example when he wakes up after a sleep he will definately will want to wee so get him out straight away and then praise him when he does it in the right place.
He will pass his motions up to three times a day so look for the times he generally wants to go (usually within an hour or so after his meal) and the obvious signs that he wants to go and get him outside to his spot just ahead of time. Lots of praise again. You will find that with close observation and good timing that within a week or so he will be more or less trained.

Best of Luck

[wishbone]

Can you move?

You just need time and patience. Also clean up complete his mess in the house cause whenever he smell his previous mark, he will make it as his peeing or pooping place. Water and vinegar solution is good alternative but there are a lot of products there to try.

I don't think hitting your swissy will help him learn. Well, dog training is something any dog owner has to go through. Most people now get their dog training through a dog trainer. But there are some aspects of dog training that can't be done with a dog trainer. Let's talk about house breaking your dog, house breaking your dog often starts when you get your dog as a puppy. But there are adult dogs that need this type of dog training as well. It has recently been decided that crate training is the best way to get your dog house broken. Dogs do not like to sleep where they have gone to the bathroom. So, in theory, if you keep a dog in a crate for small periods of time, they will learn to hold it. This is because they would rather hold it than lay in it. Dogs naturally like to sleep in a den like environment. Using a crate for your dog training helps create this environment. Dogs feel safe and comfortable in their "den." Many people find that their dogs often go to their crate on their own when tired. House breaking your dog can be a difficult part of dog training. But crate training has been proven to be the most effective way of house breaking your dog. In fact, most dog training classes and dog training books recommend it for house breaking. Good luck!

Why would you get a dog that will be 100-140 lb when full grown, that likes exercise and you live in an apartment?? Are you crate-training it? Do you have it confined to non-carpeted areas while it's beeing trained? If not, why? I think not because otherwise you wouldn't be in tears if the dog was going on hard floors where you could just wipe it up.

Originally Posted by nojokespls

I can't seem to house break my dog. His name is LEO...he's 6 mo. and a red swissy. Well, we live in an apartment that has lots of stairs to get outside. I think maybe he doesn't like the stairs. I've tried putting his nose in the urine, taking him outside immediately after he go's, but he still likes the house. i get so angry with him, and yes I've hit him before. I'm at the point where I don't even want the dog anymore. :cry: Can someone please give me some advise or just moral support.

you are a good person i guess.plz don't hit again.thats not a good man's work.:mrgreen:

Originally Posted by nojokespls

I can't seem to house break my dog. His name is LEO...he's 6 mo. and a red swissy. Well, we live in an apartment that has lots of stairs to get outside. I think maybe he doesn't like the stairs. I've tried putting his nose in the urine, taking him outside immediately after he go's, but he still likes the house. i get so angry with him, and yes I've hit him before. I'm at the point where I don't even want the dog anymore. :cry: Can someone please give me some advise or just moral support.

Have your tried using dog pads? They could be an alternative to taking your dogs outside until he is older and can hold his bladder for longer.

BTW, hitting your dog and rubbing his nose in the urine won't do any good, It might even work against you!