Housebreaking Problem—Work Schedule

[Oak]

My labradoodle, Charlie (10 months old), spends the day in our laundry room while my wife and I are at work. We make sure he has all the necessities (toys, water, etc) while we're gone so he should be pretty happy. From the time we close the door in the morning to the time we open it again after work is about 8 hours or less.

My question is—he knows that he is not to go potty in our house and that he should wait until he is outside. However, because he spends this time during the day in the basement he seems to associate the basement with another place that he can go potty and will sneak down there when we're home, take care of his business, and then we'll hear him clumsily crashing back up the stairs like nothing happened!

How can we get him to realize that the basement is not a place for him to go? He does pee while he's at home alone which I'm not sure how to train him not to do either—and I'm sure that this only reinforces him wanting to relieve himself in the basement when we are home. He can hold it all night long in his crate no problem but seems to just not care to even try during the day. I'm open to any tips or suggestions! Thanks!

[Ace's Place]

8 hours is too long to expect him to hold it. Someone needs to come by in the middle of that time span, to take him out, give him a walk and allow him to relieve himself. And its too confusing for him to know the difference about where he can and cannot relieve himself in this routine. Can you pay a dogwalker to come in the middle of the day? We have the same schedule and that is how we manage it. My dog is a year old and he couldn't be expected to hold it for 8 hours......plus they need the stimulation. My neighbor also has a labradoodle -she doesn't have a dogwalker, but I see her rush home from work midday, everyday, to let her dog out......

[M&Tdoodles]

Oh poor guy...8 hours alone in the basement...not good for a social dog as a labradoodle and very young..he is bored to death...he has learned this behavior that it is ok to do during the week, so why not the weekends too...
You must get him someone to play with him mid-day, to exercise him and you will have this issue eliminated...your pup will be grateful.

[Ace's Place]

If you can't get home from work or don't have a dogwalker, how about a doggie daycare drop off? That might be just the thing for this dog...Plus you will be able to then train him in the evening to do his business outside and in the a.m. when he gets up.

I"m afraid if you continue down this path, the dog will begin causing you issues, more than just this one - and it really won't be his fault. It will be born of frustration....

[Daisy'sMom]

I think he's left too long during the day I think having a dogwalker stop in over the lunch hour or the 1/2 way point of the day or doggie day care would be money well spent. That's just my opinion though. Wishing you good luck and all the best!

I should also add that at some point in Charlie's life he will probably be able to be left for 8 hours, but certainly not now at his young age. Leaving your dog for that long takes work and you have to work up to it over time. Again, just my opinion. Our Daisy is turning 2 years old in a few weeks and is almost 40 lbs. The longest we've ever left her is 6 hours and I was really stressed about doing that. She does great though if we have to do that and it's rare. She has also earned full roam of our home so she looks out the window and has access to all her toys and water. But I know she gets lonely and I also worry about her having to go potty. Anyway..... You get the picture.