Help with potty training a 2 y.o. dog

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I'm attempting to potty train a 2 y.o. neutered male pug to go to the
bathroom in my fenced in backyard area. It's a fairly small area, with a brick
patio, two trees, and a bunch of bushes/plants--plenty of spots for him to
pee! I've heard that dogs often feel the backyard is part of their "home," so
have done all the tricks people have suggested such as bringing poop from
when he's gone elsewhere back there, had other dogs come over and pee in
our backyard, etc. Nothing seems to work.

It was suggested to me by a local trainer to bring him out back and keep him
out there, ignoring him, as long as it takes (then reward him profusely and
take him on his walk). Another said take him out on a leash for no more than
5 minutes at a time. Then bring him back inside. Bring him back out again
and once he goes, big party.

We've been at this for a month now and he seemed to be making progress--
we had one week where he went every morning and every night. He was
doing great and he definitely seemed to get that when he goes, he gets a
party and gets to go on a walk. But we're back at a standstill now--back to
square one. I'm so frustrated. He seems to favor going in two different areas.
Now, he just walks over there and just starts to dig furiously (it almost seems
like he doesn't like to go where he's gone already, even though when we walk,
that doesn't bother him). And today, he just won't go period.

He's held it now for 17 hours and hasn't pooped in 26 hours (his longest was
36 hours!). I don't believe there's anything physically wrong with him--he
doesn't appear to be in any distress whatsoever. He just doesn't seem to want
to go.

I can do this on weekends or on a holiday like today, but I don't have time to
do this during the week.

Finally, the reason I'm trying to train him--he's already really started to
struggle with the heat and it's not even that hot! When it hits 70, that seems
to be when he starts to decline, so I'm anticipating the summer is going to be
really difficult for him if he doesn't learn to go out back.

My apologies for the long email. Any and all help is appreciated!

~beth duncan



ANSWER: So, if he's "held it" for 17 hours, I'm assuming he's not going in your house - just not where you would like him to go outside? Does he have a chosen place to go? Are you out with him so you know he's "not going"? If he doesn't seem to like going where he has gone, maybe you might try cleaning it better - hosing it down? I agree that you're going to have to be careful with him this summer. Pugs can heat stroke pretty easily. I'm sorry to not be more help - maybe if you can give more details, because I'm really not getting the picture of what is happening - if he's just holding it, if he's going in the house - what? Thanks Sandy Case MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi. Thanks for your quick reply. No, he's not going in the house and yes, I'm with him out back, so I know he's not going. I take him out on the leash and have been trying to get him to go in my small backyard (anywhere is fine with me). He seems to favor two small, flat dirt areas with some bark on top with no plants, though when we go for walks, he seems to favor going on a bush.

I usually pick up his poop as soon as he goes, but haven't tried hosing down the area after he urinates. Do you think getting some other kind of ground cover might help?

We've been at this for a month. He does seem to get that when he goes poop, he gets a "party" and gets to go for a walk, but even that doesn't seem to be enough incentive for him to go half the time. And I'm unsure if he doesn't go, if I should put him in the crate. Right now, he's kept in an area with access to two rooms in my home while I'm away.

He's a really good dog typically, but is very stubborn. If you have any other suggestions given the new info., or if having any additional info might help, please let me know.  I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks, beth duncan

ANSWER: If the yard is fenced, I'd let him go out without a leash, (but do go outside with him, but observe from near the house - give him room) Some dogs want to go as far away from their "home" as possible and don't like pooping near people. So let him make his own choices. The "five minute" rule is great for dogs who come right back in and eliminate in the house, but that's not your issue. I had one rescue dog who could easily go 24 hours without peeing, and it really concerned me. Vet noticed when he spayed her that she had a really large bladder. She was also very private about going and would go all the way to the back fence (about 100 feet from the house). It's possible your yard is a bit small for his comfort area, but not much you can do about that. You might try some dog litter in one of his favorite spots (it has an attractant)and would be easy to remove and put fresh down. I'd try to take all pressure off of him, and possibly not even make a big deal when he does go. (That's useful for some dogs, but it may worry him.) He may need some peace and privacy to do his job. Just some thoughts. Hope they are useful. Sandy Case MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, I did have one more follow up question (and that's it, I promise!) :)

If I take him out back without the leash and he just sits there looking at me
(which he often does), how long should I wait before bringing him back
inside? Should he go in the crate if he doesn't go?

Thanks!
~beth

Answer
Take a book out with you and ignore him (keep an eye on him, and if he starts to pant, get him in, but don't stare at him and don't interact with him.) Plan your longer outings with him for early and late so it won't be in the heat of the day. Keep a record of when he "goes" to see if you can perceive a pattern. If the yard is very small, can you watch him from a window so he feels like he has more privacy? Have you asked your vet for any advice? Even if there are no physical abnormalities, s/he may have some ideas for you. Sandy Case MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com