too cold to toilet?

Question
Hi Kristen,
I have a 5 y/o pug, Winston, and live in Chicago, IL, where it gets very cold in the winter.  When it's really cold outside, Winston either takes forever (30 minutes plus) or simply won't go to the bathroom when he's on his leash outside.  He will occasionally  poop in the house, but never pees.  I worry about infections resulting from him holding it for so long.  Is it possible to train a dog to toilet in a timely manner?  How can this be done?  He doesn't seem to understand that once he toilets we can go back inside and get warm.
Thanks,
Kathleen
PS:  He does wear a coat when outside, but won't tolerate boots to keep his feet warm/ dry.

Answer
Hi, Kathleen. When you take him out, keep him moving, so he doesn't have time to >>think<< about the cold. Walk him around, which will help stimulate his bowels and bladder, and when he starts to 'go,' repeat a word or short phrase over and over until he finishes (I tell my dogs to 'go hurry,' for example), and then praise him, using that word or phrase (Good hurry! Good boy!) as you go back inside. Soon, he will begin to associate going potty with that word or phrase, and you can say the word or phrase as soon as you take him out and he'll go on command. I teach ALL of my dogs (even fosters) to potty on command because it makes things SO much simpler, >>especially<< if it's bad weather.


If he still will not go in a timely manner if you walk him around, then allow him up to 5 minutes, then go back inside, but keep him leashed to you so that as soon as you see him starting to squat or whatever, you can get him immediately back outside. Don't forget to use the 'potty command' and praise him EVERY TIME he potties outside!

If there is snow/ice on the ground, you might try clearing out an area for him. Sometimes dogs will not go potty on top of the snow/ice, either because it's cold or because it just doesn't feel right. Clearing out a small spot so that they are actually on the ground usually helps.