greenpenquills

Hi everyone, my name is Alana, and I'm new to this forum. I'm sure you guys are tired of answering house training questions but please bear with me. I've been trying everything that I can find online and it isn't working.

I adopted a dog (Zephyr) last Tuesday. He's about thee years old. I don't know his history; I adopted him from a rescue group that adopted him from a shelter. He appears to be totally housebroken (and generally obedient) with no accidents so far. The first day or two he would pee when I took him out to the backyard. Then, suddenly, he stopped. I've tried maybe 10 times and he's only gone once. Our yard is sort of weird. We have a nice side yard with lots of grass. On the other side of the porch, we have the driveway, lined with a few plants. At night, I have to take him to the driveway because the porch light doesn't extend to the side yard. However, I've also tried taking him to the side yard again during the day with no result. Sometimes he's reluctant even to go down the porch steps.

I've tried him on leash and off, it doesn't make a difference. I bring treats, but never get a chance to reward him because he won't go. I stand patiently and quietly or try saying the command words. He just wanders around the driveway (not even sniffing plants) or sits down in front of me, confused. He obviously has no idea what I want from him and must be used to peeing only on walks. I'm getting really frustrated and nothing I try seems to do anything. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I would really appreciate any help. I don't mind walking him a couple times a day, but I don't want him to have to hold it for so long.

johnsonspetservice

There could be natural wildlife in the area leaving scent that has caused the dog not to want to use the yard, but I agree it may. Be confusion. As gross as it may be, when you walk the dog and he urinates, put a mark there and go back after the walk and dig up a patch containing his urine and place it in the area of your yard you wish the dog to use. This may help the dog to understand where is appropriate, and as you have tried, reward for correct place
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seebrown

Hi, Alana! Welcome to the forum.

Since this is a new dog, you should start him off as if he isn't housetrained so that he is set up for success. Basically what that means is taking him on-leash every hour to the spot you want him to go potty at and waiting 10 minutes. If he doesn't go, go back inside. Keep him under close supervision while you are inside (where you can see him at all times, or where he is leashed to you). The moment he looks like he's going to go (sniffing around, circling, etc.), take him back outside.

Commanding him to "go potty" or other words won't help at this point if he doesn't know the command. If you want to teach a word like this, you can say the command WHILE he is doing his business, and after a week+ of doing this consistently, he should know the command. If he doesn't do the behavior when you say the command, he doesn't know it, and saying it when he doesn't know it makes it lose meaning to him.

Dogs often have set backs with big life changes (like a new family), so even if he was potty trained before, it's good to start your dog from the beginning so that there are less accidents, he can adjust easier, and you both know what to expect of each other.

I encourage you to read the house training thread and treat him like an un-housetrained dog for the first few weeks. House Training How Tos:

seebrown

You can also move his poop or use a product like nature's miracle on the spots where you don't want him to go. I was unclear where he was going that you didn't want (if it was indoors or out).

johnsonspetservice

Agreed, although poop tends to be a little visually unappealing lol.
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