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Potty training issues for a 5 month old Italian/Neopolitan Mastiff

Shewer

Member
I have a 5 month old boy named Bentley and we seem to be having some house training issues. He has an older brother (Boxer/Bullmastiff Mix named Ranger) who is completely trained and NEVER messes in the house.We did have the same type of problem with Ranger up until 6 months old, but not to this severity. They both get lots of time outside, and we watch them and he will pee and poop when he is outside, but once he's inside (especially in the evening once we are home from work) him and Ranger play, and not even 15 min after they have been out Bentley has peed on the floor. He won't stop to pee, it's more like a running pee and he knows it's bad but we can't seem to break him of this habit. He will also poop in the house as well, but not as much as he pees. I have not taken him to the vet yet to check for any bladder problems, but I don't think it's an internal problem, as he is amazing in his crate (never messes) and when we are asleep he will whine when he needs to go out. During normal hours of the day, he has started to go to the door and sit there, but he won't make any noise and if I am in the other room and don't notice him right away then I usually find a stream of pee somewhere in the house. We were both getting frustrated at one point with all the messes we were cleaning up and when we caught him peeing we would scold him and get him outside ASAP. After reading some of the other forums, I'm starting to wonder if we are somewhat causing the problem? Should we just be quiet and let him outside and praise him even more then we already do when he comes back in? I've noticed if we give him trouble for something he is WAY more senstive and pouty then Ranger is. He's a very happy puppy and other then the house training, he's a great dog!!! (other then being a little bit skittish with really loud noises) Any advise or something maybe that we are missing or doing wrong? Thanks!!
 

BlackShadowCaneCorso

Super Moderator
Staff member
Also if he isn't making any noise at the door give him something to make noise with so you can't miss that he needs to go out. I know some people use bells on the door and teach their dogs to use their paws or nose to ring some sleigh bells so that way no matter where they are in the house they know the dog needs to go out. We have a quiet dog as well but she is the type to come and get us and then run back to the door but not all do this. The bells can get a little annoying but I guess it is a matter of what is more annoying, cleaning up the messes or hearing the bells to know he needs to go out, although sometimes it is just to run around and not pee/poop.
 

Cody

Well-Known Member
Well, not being rude but it is always our fault when this sort of thing happens.
I for one NEVER let my pup out of my site, let alone in another room when I am not present. If she isn't with me then she is in her crate.
This is for multiple reasons, the main one being I do not want her getting into something she shouldn't. I also wouldn't leave a toddler unsupervised and really that is what a puppy is.
When outside do you go with him? I would be outside with my pup and lavish the praise when they go to the bathroom. Treats and praise and make it the greatest thing in the world.
Take him out with out the other dog as well, give him time with no distraction to go to the bathroom.
Don't scold him when he has accidents, just ignore him and clean up the mess. If he is going to the door then he is asking you, you are just not getting his signals.
Patience and time are what is needed.