I am no trainer but I’ve been successful with the all the dogs I have owned.
With an older rescue I resign myself to the fact that there will probably be unwanted results for the first couple of weeks.
With potty training I make sure I have a great cleaning tote set up. I don’t crate, I don’t hit, rub noses, or get physical at all. I find that dogs are shamed pretty easily, I use that.
I mostly use a leash every hour or so to take them out about every hour, even at night. If I notice one trying to go potty inside, I make a big noisy deal of it. I usually make a big emphasis on the first syllable of their name— BUUUUUUford!!! NO! bad! bad! bad! Then I promptly leash and take outside, even before cleaning.
When back inside I will get all my cleaning supplies and let them watch while I scrub, complain and whine— bad, bad bad! I make a big deal of it, they will usually hang head, twist ears back and forth— they KNOW. Mine have always HATED being shamed.
I have not dealt with many male dogs as I favor females because of the hiking males do. In my den the two sofas are near the patio door and my dogs love to lean on the sofa ends or lay against them, I let them but I keep a nice towel draped over the ends they favor. Maybe while you train you could use a terry plastic backed cloth over your cloth furniture?
With the table jumping it might just be how he was raised. Many people keep their hounds outside in small cages/kennels with wooden shelter boxes in them, the dogs always seem to get on top of the boxes. At least that is what I have observed. It will probably just take time and patience for that to stop.
My dogs learned what furniture they are allowed on but it took time and patience. They can’t get on my living room or den sofas but they can get on our bed and the loft sofas. I do cover my living room sofa if we are going to leave them alone, because they will sneak up to watch out the window. I can see the pillows knocked over and wrinkles in the cushions, so I know they broke the rules. hahaha!
He will learn, it will just take time, patience and consistency. Shame them, they HATE it!
Tote: My favorite spot cleaner is Blue Magic Carpet stain and spot lifter, it is usually found in the automotive section. The large bottles of hydrogen peroxide are handy, too. For scrubbing and cleaning the area I use Bissell pet stain and odor. 3-4 old towels, a good scrub brush that has the handle over it, a roll of paper towels and gloves.
My dogs almost NEVER go inside and if one does, she is sick. They just don’t do it, it is too embarrassing for them. Good luck and I hope it works out for you and Buford!
Thank you for such a thorough and thoughtful response. I knew that I could count on my FReeper FRiends to take such time to help me out.
It is funny, Buford seems to be getting more settled in by the hour. In fact, he is laying next to me and is sound asleep. I didn’t think he would be that comfortable yet, but he is already in dream land and must have caught a strong sent of some prey! He has the crazy legs and is snorting away. ;-)
I guess that means he trusts me enough to sleep that deep. It is a good start.