Need help with training...

Since Yogi is just over a year old, we keep him in one of the bedrooms, with the door closed, when we go to work. He is in there with his crate, his bed, and all of his toys. Last weekend, I left him out in the house for about 4 hours when I went shopping. I came home and he did great! He didn't chew on anything! I did the same the next day and he was alone for 5 hours. No problems again The following day, we left him alone when we went to work. DH got home (around 5 hours later) and he had peed in the kitchen. We tried again the next day, and he peed again!

We don't want to keep him locked up during the day forever! We keep all of the doors closed and we "yogi proof" the house so there is nothing he can get into. But, he still peed! He normally does not pee on the floor. How can I get him to transition into the rest of the house? Should I still work up the hours slowly? Maybe 5 hours was too much for him?

Message edited 2/16/2008 10:41:17 PM.

Re: Need help with training...

We started letting Misty out for a few hours at a time while we were gone and gradually increased it. Most of the time she is good, but we have learned that if we are going to be gone for more than five hours to put wee-wee pads by the back door. It's worked out great, she uses them if she has to go and doesn't go anywhere else and we can relax knowing she won't be peeing all over the house.
She has been left alone for over 10 hours like this and always pees on the pads.
You might want to try them, even if you put them down in the kitchen where he is going. At least you know he has a place to go.