Dog help

kmm2150

short version: how hard is it to housebreaking and older dog (5) that is trained to use puppy pads?

Long version: my grandmother fell and may not be able to keep her dog, and if we can't find someone else to take her I might offer. For reasons that would make this even longer, she was Necer really housebroken to go outside, but she is trained to go on puppy pads and they are in one designated spot in the house.

She's a pretty high strung, anxious dog - shi tzu/laso apso mix and we have a lab. He is super chill and would probably do fine, maybe be a little annoyed, but I don't know how well my grandmother's dog would adjust - she's never really been around any other dogs. They are both crate trained for whatever that's worth.

Any tips or thoughts on the short or long version are appreciated!

Mags748

I'm not sure how well the dog will adjust to another dog, especially since she is high-strung. Have you tried to introduce them yet?

As far as training to go outside, I would think if you put the pad outside and frequently take the dog out there to show it where to go, it will learn to go outside. Then hopefully at some point you can take away the pad.

NotSharknado

I read that it's a slow training process when they're used to the pads. Each day you would move the pad closer to the door and eventually outside.

As far as being around other dogs I have no advice. That's kind of a wait and see thing. I don't imagine it'll be an easy process at first especially since she'll have anxiety leaving her home.

Patience will be the key for sure.

PollyACK

You'll just have to get them together and hope for the best. As for the house training it will definitely be a challenge at that age, but not impossible. Your best bet will be to put a pad outside whenever you want to take him/her to do their business and then gradually try to remove the pad until they start to associate going outside with using the bathroom. Hopefully the new dog can see what your lab is doing and follow his lead.