How do you housebreak an older dog that was never housebroken or neutered.?

[clmh]

I soon may be asked to take care of my in-laws 9 year old dog. The dog is not neutered and was never properly housebroken. He marks the walls and furniture and is allowed to do his business in the basement on newspapers. Is there any hope for this dog? I have a spayed female that is well trained and housebroken. Every time this dog is near mine he tries to mount her.

The owner is advanced in age and in ill health. If I am asked to take the dog I have a choice to say "no" or give the dog a chance. My husband says when the day comes, just take the dog to a shelter. I could never do that and am not afraid of a challenge. I would like to give this dog a chance but am wondering if it is possible to housebreak him and stop him from marking. I would have him neutered first thing of course. Has anyone ever successfully housebroke and older dog before? Any suggestions would be helpful.

[walkinglady]

I believe you can house train, especially if you're getting him neutered. I've had no trouble housetraining rescued greyhounds who've never been in a house in their lives. Granted, this dog is older than the average grey, but you can still do it.

You will have to crate train him, at least until you've got him housetrained, so he can't pee in the house when you're not home or at night.

When you are home, keep him in the room with you so you can keep a close eye on him. When he shows any signs at all of restlessness, circling, whatever signals he gives, take him out. Go out with him, tell him "go pee", and give lots and lots of praise as soon as he does, make a big fuss over him, then come right back in. That's so he'll learn to differentiate between play time outside with pee time.

You're going to need lots of patience, especially in the beginning because you won't be able to let him out of your sight unless he's in his crate, but you can do it.