Going to the bathroom while walking

[2rotts]

I come here to read quite often but have a specific question that I can't find any answers for in a previous thread. Could anyone tell me why a dog would not go to the bathroom while walking on leash?

[RottiMomCT]

If the dog normally does not have to releive itself while on lead, they may not be used to the idea...

Ben has free run of our fenced back yard, but when I go to my sisters house, he is on a long line because their fence isn't that secure (more decorative than containing), and the first few times he seems a little confused. He does tend to take a little longer to potty when on lead (and almost always when it's COLD OUTSIDE!!!).

[2rotts]

We adopted him from the SPCA at 6 months old and he is know 2.5 years, (he has never gone to the bathroom while on leash). It wasn't a problem before because we had a fenced back yard but we don't anymore. we tried crate training but after breaking out of two different kennels and destroying them, my SO refuses to buy another one. We where allowing him to use the garage during the day, but is it to cold now to leave the door open. And now he is going to the bathroom in house. I need to come up with a way to get him to go to the bathroom while on walks. I have even supervised him for 72 hours straight, walking him every couple of hours, and nothing until I left him to go to work and there was a mess when I got home. He knows that he is not supposed to go to the washroom in the house, but to him it seems like there is no other option.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Have you tried using the paper towels that you use to clean up the urine/BM's & placing them outside where you want the dog to relieve himself? Maybe then he would think it's okay... It's worth a shot.


Brooke

[Judi W]

Put him on a long line instead of the short leash after you reach the area where you want him to relieve himself. Do this after a decent amount of walking which often helps get things started. Many dogs are reticent about going on leash and also about going in a strange place that might not feel quite safe to them. Try to find a place within walking distance where you can perhaps even drop the line and let him wander around a do his required amount of sniffing. Simply stay there until he relieves himself. Take a cup of coffee if you must, but relax and wait and wait and wait and then tell him what a very good boy he is.

I had to curb train my friends dog would be traveling back and forth to Paris and needed to learn to go at the curb in a busy city. (traffic rushing past). That is how I did it and it worked just fine. Took a lot of waiting, but I did not leave the place I had chosen until he went. I think we were there a couple of hours the first time and it speeded up as he learned what I expected.

Remember never to leave the house without a cleanup bag.

[groupieindenial]

I think it could be a pride thing too. I think they get embarrassed when your like watching them poop. I taught my guy to go on command when he was young, which I think helps when you need them to understand to take advantage of the opportunity your giving them to go, like on long trips, at training class, etc...

[2rotts]

It was recomended that I try using a longer leash, does anyone have an opinion about using a flexi leash or if not how long of a leash I should use?

[brunie's mom]

You could try a Flexi, but I think Judi meant letting him drag a piece of long line. Something like a 25' foot yellow nylon cord ? Any hardwear store sells it.

If you took him to an area away from traffic and just kinda walk behind him without looking at him and give him the command to "poop". Then treat and praise as if he were a puppy.

I also think if you use the papertowel trick...make a few spots in your yard...he may get the hint and go in the same area.

When I first got my rescue, she was the same...would not poop on a leash. The whole family took turns walking and walking her for miles...and no poop. I have a dog run behind our house and put her in there thinking that she needed her "space". Sure enough she went within a few minutes.
What does help is timing. Feed the dog, and then go for a long walk on a Flexi or longer leash....feed some treats while you are walking. If the dog slows down and starts sniffing...just stand still and look up and away.
If the dog does go in your yard...leave the poop there....it may encourage him to use the same spot again.

I am having problems right now because our snow is so deep and we cannot walk through the fields for our poops. I got hubby to blow with the snow blower, pooping paths for the dogs. Our pup is finding it weird to be pooping in a fairly small area. He now finally understands that he can poop close to the house, after being taught all summer to poop in the long grass away from the house.

The do learn.

Gina

[Judi W]

Do not use a flexi. You can't allow that thing to bang along behind the dog - it will disturb him more than a lead and the flexi always applies some degree of pressure to the collar which is what you want to avoid. Make or purchase a long line about 25 feet or so.

[RottiMomCT]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

I am having problems right now because our snow is so deep and we cannot walk through the fields for our poops. I got hubby to blow with the snow blower, pooping paths for the dogs. Our pup is finding it weird to be pooping in a fairly small area. He now finally understands that he can poop close to the house, after being taught all summer to poop in the long grass away from the house.

The do learn.

Gina

POTTY PATHS! We snow blow a big path from the back door to the middle of the backyard and then a big circle, and then another path and then another circle closer to the fenceline...I bet it looks funny from the sky!

OOPS...off topic!