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My adopted 3yr old Lab/Pug mix keeps peeing inside. How to housebreak?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | 27 lbs

Adopted 3yr old lab/pug mixes a boy and girl female having trouble housebreaking mainly wetting any suggestions

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 13th, 2017

I will give you the method that I recommend for housebreaking puppies, and it works for older dogs too. I used it with success on my own dog Toby, a retired show dog who spent his short life in a kennel and not in a house. Start by keeping your pugs on a regular feeding schedule, and taking away their food between meals. Take them out to potty first thing every morning, and once every 30 minutes to an hour. Always make sure they go out after meals, first thing when they wakes up from a nap, last thing before bedtime at night, and right before you leave the house. Take them to the same spot each time to go potty. Their scent there will encourage them to go. Stay with them outside each time they go to potty, at least until they are fully house trained. When they goes outside, praise them and give them a treat. You might want to consider crate training as part of their house training. It allows you to keep an eye on them for signs that they have to go potty, and will teach them to hold it until you put them outdoors. Their crates needs to be big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down, but it should not be big enough for them to go potty in.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 13th, 2017

    I'm wondering if this is an accidental repeat of a question that just posted, and I will repost the answer I gave on the other one below: I will give you the method that I recommend for housebreaking puppies, and it works for older dogs too. I used it with success on my own dog Toby, a retired show dog who spent his short life in a kennel and not in a house. Start by keeping your pugs on a regular feeding schedule, and taking away their food between meals. Take them out to potty first thing every morning, and once every 30 minutes to an hour. Always make sure they go out after meals, first thing when they wakes up from a nap, last thing before bedtime at night, and right before you leave the house. Take them to the same spot each time to go potty. Their scent there will encourage them to go. Stay with them outside each time they go to potty, at least until they are fully house trained. When they goes outside, praise them and give them a treat. You might want to consider crate training as part of their house training. It allows you to keep an eye on them for signs that they have to go potty, and will teach them to hold it until you put them outdoors. Their crates needs to be big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down, but it should not be big enough for them to go potty in.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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