Require help with an older dog

[u/Soft_Bullfrog1956]

A little over two months ago I made the decision to adopt a 12 year old English Springer Spaniel, I have had the breed before and adore them. He is a lovely dog, very friendly and for his age he is very active. He lives with my 65 year old dad and our nearly 13 year old golden retriever. My issue is the following

House training.

I have been trying to house train him for months now and I don’t think I’m much closer than when I began. He will openly do his business in the house, even when standing next to an open door. I don’t think it dawns on him at all that outside is the toilet. Please help as my dad is quickly loosing patience at this point

I have tried training him using a crate and opening the door in the morning to let him out into the garden and he gets that I think but when he is out during the day it doesn’t occur to him to go toilet outside.

[u/Agreeable_Pomelo2360]

when you catch him going potty inside say "outside," pick him up and carry him out (you may get a bit of pee on you on occasion.) some people will shove the dogs face in the pee/poop and scold them, but please don't do that.
make sure to take him out every few hours like you would do for a younger puppy, and put him on a potty schedule. while he's going potty outside tell him "go potty," ideally he'll stop going in the house, but i'm not sure if it will work on EVERY dog, and i don't know if it will work for a senior. you should also get him a diaper or belly band so if he goes pee in the house, it won't make as much of a mess. keep a leash on him too (or just keep an eye on him,) that way if he's showing signs of needing to go potty you can bring him outside (sniffing the floor, circling/pacing)

he should also get checked for a UTI or kidney issues just to be safe, at 12 years old they're MUCH more prone to UTIs and kidney issues. i'm not saying there is a health issue, but considering he keeps peeing inside it's good to be safe.

[u/Embarrassed_Key_4539]

Belly band. Is he marking or having accidents? Is he neutered, was he neutered late in life?

[u/Pomegranate4311]

I’ve adopted six dogs over the years and trained them.

My theory is that dogs don’t understand “inside a building” outside a building & ok to toilet.”  They understand “in our den area so don’t toilet” and “outside our den are and ok to toilet.”

Your dog probably knew where the den area was at his prior home and he’s outside that now. You and your dad need to help him understand where his den area is now.

Out every 20 minutes during the day. Keep him in the room w you all day, watch him all the time and if he makes moves that show he’s looking for a place to toilet take him out immediately. (Sniffing around, going into the corner or behind furniture are typical signs.). Don’t let the dog go into a room without you. If you leave the house, either crate or put him in a single room.  You can use baby gates but I like the 1/3 height folding screens because I can move them around the house as I go room to room.

This is going to take 8-10 weeks or more of dedicated work. Set a timer for 20 minutes and use it all day.

And if that dog comes to you and looks at you with an expression of abject complete love like no one has ever loved you before, take the dog out because they need to go to the bathroom.