Yard Potty

Question
Hi,
I have a 3 month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever who is an outside dog.  She's getting in the habit of pooping on the front sidewalk.  We have a large yard and I've tried to get her in the habit of doing her business in a general area in the backyard.  Apparently, she prefers the front.  How can I get her to go in the backyard?

Answer
I don't believe in leaving a dog outside, and I don't believe in letting them run loose. The best solution is to fence at least part of the back yard, and keep her in the house.

Having a Lab in the house is no problem.  I have had at least one young lab in the hoaue most of the time since 1991.  The solution is a crate.  Your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for
dogs to open too.    Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

Accidents and damaged possessions are the fault of whoever was watching the puppy.  When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys.  In a quiet, but firm voice ''Bad dog, its name drop!''.  Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of her toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.


A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.