House Training Problems

[Tempest]

I have a four month old Min Pin that simply refuses to poop outside! I have trained him to pee outside, but we can wait out there for 20 minutes and the second we come back inside, he runs to a corner and poops. Its almost as if he holds it until we go back inside . He gets a firm "NO!" and I make him get a whiff of it, then back outside we go for another 10 minutes, and he just sits there and whines. I keep him in a crate when I can't watch him, but whenever he poops inside, he hides in places where he is out of my view, so I believe that he knows that he is doing is bad. Any suggestions here? This is driving me NUTS!

 

[Fran27]

I think the only reason he hides to poop is because he thinks that if he poops in front of you you will get mad at him. That goes for outside too.

The best thing you can do is just ignore him totally when he poops inside, until he relaxes some and realizes that he can poop in front of you without getting a 'whiff of it'. Then you can just praise him when he goes outside, and he will eventually get it.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

No. He knows that when he has a bowel movement, you are angry.

He is showing the classic signs of being punished for elimination in the house when he does not understand what he is to do.

STOP offering him negative reinforcement for having a bowel movement.

STOP offering him any chance to sneak away and eliminate in the house. Use baby gates to keep him in the room with you, or tie him to your belt with a long leash.

STAY OUTSIDE as long as it takes the next time. Dress for it. If he does not eliminate outside, go in, put him back in his crate for 10 minutes, and then try again.

Make SURE you have food rewards with you, and the second he is pooping out side, name the behavior....GOOOD.....go poop....good poop...or whatever you want to call it. As SOON as he is finished, give him a tasty food reward, and praise praise praise.

It can also help to take some of his feces and put it outdoors where you want him to eliminate.

Punishing a dog for eliminating indoors will almost always teach them to sneak away when they need to go. Stop the punishing, prevent oportunities for him to make a mistake, and start REWARDING all outdoor potty work.

 

[lpollockandrsn]

Redyre is right. It sounds like you are reinforcing what he is doing. Everything else goes on hold until you get past this bump. It has to take priority for a while if you want it to stop soon, or ever. Make sure you are a step ahead all the time.
I would agree, take him out and if he doesn't poop, be kind but put him back in the crate for 10 - 15 more minutes and try again, repeat for as long as it takes.
I would suggest feeding more frequently during this time, break his meals into slightly smaller portions but give them more often to encourage more opportunities to 'go' and to praise him for it.

 

[Tempest]

Excellent. Thank you for all the tips! I will try this out and see how well it works


What would be the best action when he does have an accident inside? Should I just take him directly outside without saying anything? How long should I stay out there for? I doubt he will actually go, considering he just did it all over my carpet..lol

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Your puppy should have NO CHANCE to have an accident inside. Leash him to your side, use babygates to keep him near you, and do not let him out of your sight for one SECOND when he is loose in the house.

If you catch him about to have a bowel movement, PICK HIM UP and rush him outside. If he's already in the act, clap your hands to see if you can interrupt him, if so, say OUTSIDE! (but not in a threatening tone of voice) and rush him outdoors.

The real key to the issue is to have him outside when he needs to be, and to reward him for performing there.

 

[Mikey27X834]

I'm getting the hang of this house training myself now. Got myself a schedule all worked out.

 

[Mindy Miller]

I had the exact problem a few months ago...I started a thread about it, and I was handeling it about like you are.

ITA with keeping him on a leash next to your side at all times, redye's entire post really. We did it, and she was pooping outside consistently within 2 days.

You have to be diligent. It's not the dog's fault, it's yours! Every time she has an accident, ask what you did to cause it.