Hard to TRAIN him from a habit that may cost him his life? I wouldn't think so. Perhaps it's time for an obedience class so that you can learn some simple training techniques. Training need not be harsh. In the meantime, of course you must leash him everytime he is outside. Only those times when you can do a thorough mushroom search before he goes outside to play, should he be allowed to run around off leash and then he should be watched carefully. You can't really kill off the mushrooms. They are merely temperary fruiting bodies of an extensive underground system that is busy decomposing organic matter. Is this a new construction site? Have you put down a bunch of new mulch? Is the site heavily wooded?

First of all, I am really no expert, but can maybe pass along some tips since I've recent gone through the housebreaking thing. It can be difficult and takes a lot of patience. My pup was pretty well paper trained from day one but after a while that got sort of frustrating when he starting dragging pee pads and chewing them and then peeing in the spot where the pee pad used to be. I find that after 5-1/2 months he is really just starting to be more dependable now and getting the hang of peeing only outside. But, I read that pugs can be more difficult to house train. He now seems to have better control to hold it longer, such as when we are gone from the house to go to work. He still has some accidents, but sometimes it's our fault if we're home because we don't realize that he's asking to go out. As he's aged and his fur has become thicker, he seems to be able to spend more times outdoors. That and milder weather really help. I still go outside with him, I'm just protective of him. He gets treats whenever he pees, but only a crumbled bit of his biscuit. One thing too, if you take him outside and he just runs back to the door to go in, pick him up and take him back to the area where you want him to pee. It doesn't always work, but often he might decide to pee the second time. Also, you will find they are easily distracted so if he's about to pee outside and the neighbor comes out of his/her door, puppy might start barking instead of peeing. My pup definitely has to go whenever he wakes up from a nap. In fact, sometimes if it's before bed I'll wake him up to take him out, or if I get up at 3 a.m. I might take him out as well. I sort of keep track and drag him outside if it's been too long. I figure the more he goes to the washroom outside the more it becomes habit and is engrained in him. Today we visited his Grandparents and he did go by the back door to go outside, which is great because I worry about him having accidents inside others peoples homes. Plus I started thinking maybe he's really starting to realize not to pee inside anyone's house. Good luck, hang in there,it will get better, Glen

Mc_hudd, Your dog is never going to get house trained unless you bite the bullet and use the crate. It seems to me that you have a "negative" towards crates, lots of people do. That said, you need to make it a "positive". Also think of the crate as a temporary training tool that is going to help you and your dog with this and other behavior issues. You really do need to completely start all over if you are going to be successful with your dog. He should have been well on his way with this by now and you are starting to miss the prime time of his life for potty training. You really need to commit yourself to a 9 month process, or this problem will lead to others and you will have a bigger mess on your hands. Following is a step by step system that I use for training dogs, it's worked for lots of my clients and me. *Potty training. Dont expect a "quick fix". To be successful with this and other training issues, you really need to crate train. Potty training correctly, is a very important issue for you and your dog. Lots of people get frustrated when their dog does not make progress. Commitment, work, consistency, treats and praise and are key to this issue. Potty training problems are one of the major reasons so many dogs wind up at the pound or back at one. Below I have listed 5 key steps to get your dog potty trained. It a simple procedure that has worked for me and lots of others. But first, some words about crate training. Numerous people have a negative attitude about crate training. They think that the dog will be uncomfortable when crated, or they donÂt like the idea because of what they have read, heard, or just think. If you have a negative attitude, you need to make it a positive. Crate training a newly introduced pup or even an older dog is one of the most important things you will ever do for you and your new dog. Pups and older dogs love the feeling of being closed in when they are in a strange place, especially if there is an old sheet over the crate, leaving the front open so dog can look out. If the crate has to much room for a pup to move around, put something indestructible inside to cut down on space so pup can curl up and feel secure. Leaving soft music playing when you are away pacifies the dog and helps prevent separation anxiety. Dogs of any age kept confined to the crate wonÂt get into trouble when you are away or canÂt supervise. The more room new dogs have to roam around in like a blocked off kitchen or bathroom, the more trouble they can get in to. If you have a pup, the crate should be in your bedroom at night to help the bonding process. It is not realistic to expect a pup, used to being around litter mates and mother to like being left alone, especially at night. They get frightened and confused and make all kinds of noise. If whining is an issue, with the sheet over the crate, gently tap on the top and firmly say "stop". This may need to be repeated a few times, but soon dog will associate your command with the crate tapping. When whining stops, give praise and treats. When you are home, practice the crating experience. A major mistake people make is allowing dog out of the crate when they are home for long periods of time. Then, when they leave, all of a sudden the dog is crated. This can cause major separation anxiety issues because when dog all of a sudden realizes you are gone, it getÂs frightened and may think you are not coming back. Practicing the crating experience and using tons of praise for anything dog does that is right, even laying around doing nothing, reinforces the fact that dog can please you. Always make crating a positive experience. Newly introduced dogs must earn your trust and their unsupervised freedom from the crate. Lots of people try to do this to quickly. This confuses the dog with to much space to roam around in. To be successful with your dog, initially you simply must supervise every second when dog is out of the crate. Dog should have a leash on when out so you can easily grab it and take the dog out when you need to or to keep it out of trouble. Frozen Kongs stuffed with cheese or peanut butter or other toys that donÂt splinter should also be available for dog to chew on. Never leave dog alone with a small chew toy, it could get lodged in the mouth or throat. Keep in mind that dog is looking at you and an alpha dog figure for guidance, not a human. It is your duty to provide this. When dog is house trained and you can start to trust the way things are going, weaning dog from the crate can start usually at around 9-10 months. This also must be done gradually so dog wonÂt get confused. About 10 minute intervals without a leash over the course of about one month or more is essential, depending on how well dog is doing. When dog is good give tons of praise and perhaps a treat. While dog is out of the crate, give lots of praise for anything good done, like drinking water, laying around, chewing on a toy, etc. Anything dog does that is positive should get recognition, this builds confidence and lets dog know that it is able to please you. To get dog used to your absence, leave the house with dog outside of the crate for only a few minutes. Leave the crate door open, return inside and give tons of praise and treats if dog has been good. If dog has gotten into only minor mischief, state your displeasure by firmly stating that dog was bad. Dogs are very visual creatures, only minor scolding and the look of your face should get the point across. Gradually increase time when dog is alone over the course of a month or so depending on how well things go. HOUSE TRAINING **When house training a dog it is very important for you to pick a system and stick with that, rather than switch if things are not going well. Switching will only confuse you and your pup. If you are not having success, you need to back up and start over, only go slower. House training is the first major step dog is going to take in earning your trust, this is simply a must for any indoor dog. If you have an older dog that needs to potty trained, you need to treat dog like a pup. Here is a simple step by step method for potty training that worked for me. It also has worked for others. Keep in mind that *teething *chewing & *potty training, are critical behavior issues, what I refer to as a foundation for other future training. These are also critical steps dog must have under control to earn your trust and eventual freedom from the crate. 1. First you need to realize that not all dogs are the same in this category. Some get it within a week or less, others take longer etc. How you might ask do I know so much about potty training?? I rescued a 4 month old Shepard/Hound last year, my fourth dog in 16 years. (I have two others that were a snap to train). She took about 5 months to potty train. This is an unusually long time, I had to back up numerous times and start over. I dug into her past and found out that she was traumatized by her experience before I came along. She completely missed the prime time of her life to be potty trained. I was really forced to take small baby steps forward after very minimal progress. MOST dogs wonÂt go in their crate. If pup does, remove blankets or padding. This should cure that problem. If problems persist, increase time when no padding is on the floor. 2. You need to start potty training by taking dog out immediately after dog comes out of the crate. Then, gradually increase length of time to regular intervals (gradually increased over the course of one-two months depending on how successful dog is doing). Get dog used to the commands "go poo" and "go pee". These commands should be a must, they are incredibly helpful when the weather is bad. If dog doesn't do anything, that's fine, if it does, give tons of praise and give a treat, preferably one used just for training purposes. Consistency is the key to all of this. Dogs are creatures of habit and depend on a schedule. This is no time to skimp on excessive praise and treats when you are house training. Pup needs to associate yummy treats with doing itÂs thing. Boiled or baked chicken liver is a great training tool, dogs crave it and you really have their attention when you use it. 2. Daily walks at least twice a day (about 20-30 minutes each in the same area) are essential for dogs and getting them house trained. Walking gets things moving, dogs love it and it gives them something to look forward to. Try and feed a pup prior to the walks. Never free feed unless your vet says to. Pups have a high metabolism. Soon after it eats or drinks, it will need to go out. 3. Pups drink huge amounts of water. In theory yours should be able to hold it for (one hour for each month) up to about 9 months. In reality, if a young pup has been playing, it will gulp down lots of water, and just won't be able to hold it for that long. After pup drinks, keep an eye on it. Take it out in about 5-10 minutes and offer it relief. Soon pup will go to the door when it need to go out. 4. Your pup won't be considered house trained unless it has no accidents for at least 9months! Also, as I learned, there is a HUGE difference in a dog that is 4-6 months old and one that is 9-10 months old. They grow inside and out, they mature. Once they reach 9-10 months, their bladders are larger and able to hold it longer. 5. Piddle pads and newspapers should never be used. Some have suggested them, and have had success with them. If you start to use them and dog gets accustomed to doing itÂs thing on them, you could have a very difficult time getting dog to go on grass or even get dog outside. Some people see these pads and papers as a short cut to potty training. It is not. Dogs really need a natural area to relieve themselves. Because dogs are creatures of habit, they will associate the pads and papers with relieving themselves and you may find yourself starting all over in the potty training department, which would make for even more work for all involved. In other words, when was the last time you saw a wolf (dogs closest cousin) use a pee pad? Good luck ! SG

I was wondering what is crating? I could mean different things to different people. As a short term ( couple of hours) home while a person is away. Maybe a night time sleep area. That's what crating is to me. It would be cruel to crate up a dog or cat all day, everyone knows that but how to you crate a puppy learning to potty outside? I've heard of too many dogs going potty in their crates that have been left in to long. That's not a good owner either. Several of my friends use the crate as I stated above. I hope they have never forced a dog to hold it for the sake of a clean floor. I know I have to go when I have to go. A few hours of holding pee is not healthy nor would it make me happy, so I can't see it would be good for my pet either. Limiting water consumption in the evening might be beneficial. Of course going to the bathroom right before bed. Puppies can't seem to hold it well at night and if they wait in their crate to long, well that can't be healthy. I used to get up, about 4 am and let the pups out to go. Like a new parent, it was hard to keep up! I've had big and little dogs and the littlest ones were always the hardest to potty train and feed. Currently I have two smaller dogs inside and the smallest can only eat regular dry dog food or she throws up or worse. In tiny amounts she can eat turkey, beef, veggies and rice/pasta. Now on the other hand my mom will make her tiny dog, food and keep it in the fridge until she needs it. Works for them but I do think the dry dog food is better for teeth. I think your going to have to find out how your dogs works and go with that. Every dog breed has its quirks, as every dog does too. Teach her ques and repeat your commands so she will quickly know what your asking of her. It doesn't take long to learn her name but the potty command, that always takes longer than we want. :)