potty problems

Question
have a cairn that is 10 months old. he is generally a very good boy except for one problem; he will not stop pooping in the house. he even goes so far as to hide under my bed to do it. i take him out and we walk for 15 minutes or so and he comes in the house and poops 5 minutes later. I am consistent with when and how i take him out he will pee outside but not poop. I have tried training pads and he will go on the floor next to them but not on them, i have even tried putting the poop on them so that he can smell it and go there next time but it doesn't work.... I am really struggling. please help me.

Answer
Jessica -

I do have sume suggestions.

First, make sure you take him outside about 10 minutes after each of his meals and try to stay out until he actually goes.  Dogs often poop soon after they eat (in one end, out the other).

Second, you may want to try a more secluded place for him. Some dogs will only go when they are under a bush or in tall grass.

Third, you may want to try a longer leash.  Dogs feel very vulnerable while they are pooping, so being close to you is not something they want to do right then.

Fourth, when you do get him to poop outside, make sure to "throw a party."  Raise the pitch of your voice, give lots of praise, and then give about 10 very small treats one right after another (as opposed to all at once). I would encourage a very high 'value' treat like cheese, and the pieces should be about the size of an eraser.

Fifth, make sure you are crating him when you are not home or will not be able to supervise him.  This increases the odds that he will have to poop when you take him out, so it's important to go outside right after you let him out.

Lastly, if these things do not help, I encourage you to tie his leash to your beltloop and make him stay attached to you whenever you are home for a week or so.  He is highly unlikely to poop in the house while he's attached to you.  Combined with the scheduled trips out, and the 'party' when he does go outside, you should be able to get him turned around pretty quickly.

Best wishes

-Beth