Not a lot of interest to go outside - Paw Talk

Core · #1 03-30-2004, 04:23 PM

Hello all.

We have had a new puppy for 3 days now. The one thing I am confused about is he does not have much interest in outside. When we put him out he just sits by the bay door and doesnt wander far. However, if we go out with him he will run around, etc.

How can we get him to understand he can play and such even if we are inside? Its almost as if he doesnt know he is allowed to, etc. OUr worry is that if he is not wandering away from the door then he is also not pottying.

Thanks for any insight.

Becki · #2 03-30-2004, 05:10 PM

My dogs are the same way most of the time, they want nothing to do with the outside unless they've really gotta go. They would much rather tear around my tiny house playing I guess

If he's taking care of business outside and not in the house, I wouldn't worry about it too much, if not though you can get some excellent potty training advice around here! I don't know about the not playing though, maybe he's just trying to figure out the rules still

Core · #3 03-30-2004, 05:20 PM

Well the potty training part is an issue as well. Today alone he peed once in the bathroom right in front of me. Instantly I said no and put him outside.

The issue with the potty training so far seems to be he doesnt know that outside is the place and not inside. He pees outside and such but only when we go out with him. :shrugs:

Of course, again we just got him Sunday. So its only been 2 days. lol

Chinchilla_Girl · #4 03-30-2004, 05:39 PM

He is young...most if not all puppies hate to be left alone. It breaks their little hearts!! What you need to do is continue going outside with him, walk around and ignore him...he'll follow AND do his business. When he potty's outside make a huge deal of it, pet him, play with him, tell him he's a good boy...even give him a bit of a treat. (if you hand feed it and treat it like a treat, they think puppy food is a treat) You need to watch him in the house too, if you see him start to squat, pick him up and run him outside...again praise, praise, praise when he does good...give him some time...he'll catch on.

Core · #5 03-30-2004, 05:45 PM

Thanks Chinchilla Girl. So far that is exactly what we do. We go outside with him but kind of ignore him. When he strays to the door we call him back or even throw a toy to bring his attention back to the potty area. When he goes we immediately say good boy and pet him.

I am thinking of getting some good treats though as well to give when he goes.

Thanks again.

Chrisanne · #6 03-30-2004, 06:21 PM

with our new puppy we make sure he goes out a lot. If he gets a drink, he goes out. If he eats, he goes out. When he wakes from a nap, he goes out. After he plays, he goes out.

Like chinchilla girl said. Lots of praise. Don't punish him for accidents, he can't quite control his bladder just yet.

Chinchilla_Girl · #7 03-30-2004, 06:57 PM

Yup, that's right...I've heard that puppies can only hold it for 1/2 hour per every month of age...so, your 3 month old needs to go out ever hour and a half or so and every time he eats, drinks and wakes up

Core · #8 03-30-2004, 07:07 PM

Should I feel bad when I put him out and he stands at the door? How long should I leave him out at a time if I put him out alone? The problem with him being out alone is I do not know if he went to the bathroom or not. lol

Chrisanne · #9 03-30-2004, 07:17 PM

I wouldn't feel bad, but I would try to go out with him as much as possible. They really need that positive reinforcement at this age.

I would leave him out about 10 15 mintues.

Core · #10 03-30-2004, 08:24 PM

Thanks again Chrisanne. So far everything is going extremely well with Dawson. I am actually surprised how well this dog acts for being so young. He NEVER barks. We have only heard him bark 2 times and it was while trying to play with the cat. lol He is great with kids, other animals, etc. Its realy a treat. Now as soon as this potty training gets perfected we will be in heaven. lol =)

**kittygurl823** · #11 03-30-2004, 10:10 PM

I agree with what everyone said!

And yes, some good treats would be a great idea. Have the treats outside with you and your g/f when you guys take him out, and when he goes potty, give him a treat with lots of praise. When I went to obdience class with Jasmine, the instructor told us to have the treats outside with us, so they knew right after they went potty, they got one with praise, and would get the hang of it. I would give a treat to the dogs *after* they would come in the house, but the instructor said it was better to have it out there with us right when she was done, so she would associate that with going potty.

I agree with Chrisanne, about 10-15 min would be a good time to leave him out, and if he doesn't go, bring him in and try again soon after. Also, like she said, after water, food, naps, etc. Oh also, do you have a crate for Donovan? That can be very helpful in the potty training method, Deja wrote a wonderful article on crate training, here is that thread.

http://www.paw-talk.net/forums/showt...crate+training
Keep us posted on his progress! I can't wait to see some pictures of your cutie!!!!

Deja · #12 03-30-2004, 11:05 PM

Hi Core

When potty training a new puppy he should never be off the leash outside or outside alone. I know that sounds like a lot of work and you are probably saying "that's crazy!" - but it makes a lot of sense and will save you a lot of time in the long run.

In order to form a trusting bond with our dogs we need to start from day one. Like Chrisanne said - keep him on a schedule he can rely on. Consistancy and praise are going to be the keys to success.

He's only been with you for a few days. It's natural for him to want to be with you. Most likely he's been used to having his mother and litter-mates around all the time offering him company and giving him direction.
He's probably feeling a little lost right now and unure of his place in the world. It's your turn now to pick up the slack, guide, teach and lead him. You must be his leader, the center of his universe and his stability.
Taking him outside on the leash and staying with him while you direct him, then praise, praise, praise! when he does what he's out there to do will really shorten the house-breaking time.
Pups have no clue what we expect from them unless we clearly and consistantly show them, reward them when they comply and repeat the process until they *get it* and it becomes an engrained positive behavior. Going Potty outside is definately a positive behavior we want to start enforcing right away.
Taking him out on the leash accomplishes a couple of things. The leash allows you to direct him and correct him and it also enables you to start getting him used to being on the leash. Even if you have a fenced in yard that eventually he'll have the freedom to enjoy unleashed, he needs to be used to being leashed.

Everyone here gives great advice. Keep him on a schedule and stick to it as closely as you can. We can't be robots or machines but the more routine we give our pups the easier it is to lay a foundation for them. Everything they will learn is built from the foundation we set when they come into our homes.

When you take him out to potty, make it clear that he is going outside to *potty*. Walk him to his "potty place" and give him the command "Fido, Potty". (Sorry, I don't know his name

) Give him about 10 - 15 minutes to sniff around and eliminate. If he starts to play or get distracted, use the leash to redirect him and repeat the command. When he eliminates, Praise! Praise! Praise! Act like it's the best thing in the world. A small food treat can be used in the beginning to reinforce the behavior. Like Jackie said, it should be offered right after he does what you want him to so he associates the pleasant food treat with the desired behavior.
If you sit down and decide on a schedule and routine that fits into your schedule and routine you'll find that house-breaking your puppy won't be very difficult at all. He'll *get it* in no time.

After he's eliminated a great reward is some play time with you. Even just a few minutes of chasing a ball or a favorite outside toy helps them build trust and teaches them to transition from one activity to another on your direction. (taking him out during the night and first thing in the morning should always be all business and no play).

It sounds like you are off to a great start. He sounds like a great dog!
Keep us posted and let us know how he's doing.

Can't wait to see pictures of him!

Core · #13 03-30-2004, 11:11 PM

Deja,

Thanks so much for the in depth reply. We haven't been putting him on the leash in the back yard at all yet.

Is it too late to start that now? Will that confuse him even more?

What we do is let him out, go out with him and watch but ignore. Then we lead him to his potty area and wait. If he strays we call him back, etc. Then once he goes we praise him and are now going to start giving a treat.

But back to the leash, is it too late to start? We do take him for a walk on his leash every night though through the neighborhood for some exercise and to help him get used to the leesh.

Again thanks for the info. I have had many dogs in my life but this is my first as an adult and my responsibility. All the others were as a child or teen. So its the beginning of training that I have no experience in and I want to do it right.

Pure14K · #14 03-30-2004, 11:28 PM

I don't see why it would be too 'late' to start with the leash. I agree, you need to set up a schedule for him to follow. My chihuahua was SO hard to potty train. Even with everything suggested here, she still didn't quite *get* it for awhile....

Good luck

Core · #15 03-30-2004, 11:48 PM

We are starting the leash now. Literally my girlfriend is outside with him as we speak with the leash.

Someone earlier asked if we crate him, no we do not. We do however put him in one room for the night, and while we are away. So I guess its *like crating only a really big crate. lol We put him in the kitchen and block the door to the hallway and the rest of the house.