Hi there and thanks for your question.
I think it is great that he is pad trained. There are a few ways to go about retraining them and i encourage you to choose the method you think will work best in your situation.
1) Slowly move the pad. Start with the pad where it is in your house. Every day move the pad say around half a metre closer to the door. These small movements shouldn't confuse him or cause any trouble. As time goes by the mat will get closer and closer to the door. Keep moving it outside. Once it is outside work on slowly reducing its size.
If you cant do this try and increase the amount of grass over the matt. You may have to trim some grass for this. Or if you prefer soil then give this a go.
2) Take him outside to the spot you want him to toilet every 2 hours, before and after dinner and first thing in the morning and at night. Give him a command like "Go toilet"
Wait for a few minutes, during this time completely ignore him. This means turning away and not talking to him.
Keep up with this.If he doesn't go, then go back inside and try again half an hour later.
If you suddenly take away the mats he may freak out and go backwards do try keep them around for a while.
You can always put the mats outside.
Could you put a doggie door in? This is a great way to keep them out of the crate and give them free reign in the house without being trapped.
As for the marking.
The KEY to correcting this behavior is catching your dog in the act. Not 5 seconds later but actually while your dog is relieving itself. The best way that I have found to correct this type of behavior is to startle your dog by loudly saying "AAHHH", squirting it with a water pistol or shaking a pebble filled can, when you catch your dog in the act. Wait for 4-5 minutes then redirect it to the area that your dog is meant to go. As the last drop is coming out, reward your dog with praise.
You will have to buy a quality DOG ODOR neutralizer, which you should be able to find at most good pet stores. Clean your carpets, with the odor neutralizer, in all the known places that you can find where your dog has been .
This will help disguise the scent and you will find it easier to catch your dog preparing to go potty before it has the chance to do so inside. No product can take away the scent 100%, however the weaker the scent is made the better, so buying an odor neutralizer will still be worthwhile.
The next time your dog has an accident inside or marks:
*Growl as your dog is doing it. You must reprimand your dog as it is performing the undesirable behavior, because dogs only ever associate your punishment or reward with the very last action they have performed.
*Soak up the puddle or pick up the waste with a sheet of newspaper.
*Then clean the spot with your odor neutralizer. I prefer SOX but it is up to you which you choose.
*Keep the soiled newspaper, place any solid wastes or the soaked paper outside, or wherever you want their bathroom spot to be. This will give your dog a place it can return to that is marked with its own scent and therefore safe to use as a bathroom. (keep in mind that dogs mark their territory and therefore claim their dominance as they eliminate, if another dog has been where you want your dog to go, your dog will only go there if it is of a dominant disposition and wish to challenge the opposing 'dog'.)
IS he neutered? I think this is very important for a number of reasons and can often help with these situations. Good luck and please let me know how things go.
Todd
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