Some pointers on pooping, please?

[Dieselpup]

Hi,

I have an 8-year-old Rottie whom I just very recently (as in last week) adopted. He's completely housebroken--he'd rather die than have an accident in the house! As he spends much of his time in the house with us, I'm grateful for this, but we have one problem: he poops all over the yard, each time it's a different place.

What can I do to encourage him to go in the low underbrush? I walk him on his leash in the evenings, but that's really just a bonding/training period for us, so he's not usually interested in going, then.

He goes out after meals and before bed freely, though I go with him to see that he's peed and poooped before returning to the house. I feel that if I say "no" when he goes in the middle of the garden, he may develop a fear of pooping when I'm around and hold it in. Is that possible? I'm new to this, please help.

Thanx,

Dieselpup

[Roscoe's dad]

Whe Guido had her ACL I had to take her out in the winter on a leash. When it was time for her to pinch one off, I always took her to the same spot and thats where she went. after a while she just went to the same area on her own out of habit

[AngelBunny]

If he has free access to the yard, he'll relieve himself wherever he wishes. To train him to use a certain spot, you're going to have to leash him, take him to the spot you want him to use, and keep taking him there until he understands what you want him to do.

We fenced our backyard (about 1-1/2 acres). Our dogs have 24/7 access to the "pen" thru a dog door. Every two days or so, I walk around with a shovel and bucket, picking up the yard.

[LORHEL]

I've found that Makita actually sticks to several different "areas" in the yard.

They do seem to go in the same places usually, so maybe try just keeping track of those areas, for example, she goes on the sides of the backyard, and doesn't in the middle... (I have a fenced in back yard)... she is what I call a scatter shxxter because she doesn't stay in one spot but rather walks while pooping.

Although since you just got him, it would be easier to set the ground rules (no pun intended) as to where you want him to go. Best wishes, bless you for rescuing your boy!

[Dieselpup]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I worked with Diesel last night on a leash and discovered two things:

1) THe place where I'd love for him to poop isn't ideal 'cause it's very close to the fence separating our property from our neighbors, and their dogs keep barking at us.

2) Because I take him on the leash primarily to do training, Diesel patiently waits for a command and shows very little interest in doing other things (I know, he's a GREAT dog).

I'll persist with the leash, though, especially after meals, and choose a more quite spot.

Cheers,

Dieselpup

[pupmama]

Here is a suggestion....begin using a command for potty. I take Kona out on her leash to potty and tell her to "hurry up" and she potties. I learned that trick from my brother (who has two dogs of his own).

I had Kona with me over at my brother's house a few weeks back and we let the dogs out to relieve themselves. I called out to Kona to hurry up and all three dogs simultaneously peed. It was hilarious!

[Sharon Marples]

It might just be my opinion, but given his age, does it REALLY matter where he goes in your yard? You will only have 2 or 3 droppings to pick up each day and it would take a lot of stress off the both of you if he could just go where he feels comfortable doing so. You do not want to scold him in any way while he is doing his thing, he will not understand.

I just think, that at his age (can you tell I am really partial to the veterans?), he could have this leeway and not have to learn how to "go" while on a leash.

Just my .02

[Dugganmom]

Duggan will not go in the same spot ever...even on a leash. It has to rain or something for the yard to feel "clean" to him My lab never uses the same spot either. Maybe the dog is really set in his ways?

[Paulos]

My girl does not go in the same spot, but does go in the same area. How we did it? When I got her, I just led her to the area where I wanted her to go to. I sometimes go out with her to re-inforce the behavior...always to the back of our yard. The poop isn't any less this way, but it is easier to pick-up. Peeing is a different matter altogether.

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by Sharon Marples

It might just be my opinion, but given his age, does it REALLY matter where he goes in your yard? You will only have 2 or 3 droppings to pick up each day and it would take a lot of stress off the both of you if he could just go where he feels comfortable doing so. You do not want to scold him in any way while he is doing his thing, he will not understand.

I just think, that at his age (can you tell I am really partial to the veterans?), he could have this leeway and not have to learn how to "go" while on a leash.

Just my .02

You took the words right out of my mouth!

I was thinking the very same thing. Some dogs who are not accustomed to pooping while on a leash have a very hard time feeling comfortable doing it. He may just start to hold it, and you don't want that.

If you must have him on a leash, take him out to the woods on a long line and let him sniff and explore. This should stimulate him enough to go.

Good Luck!