Hi. I have a one year, 2 month old Bichon Frise. I have had her for a year now, and she absolutely refuses to go #2 outside. I would walk her for hours waiting for her to go so that I could praise her, but she won't go. She would wait until we got back inside. This summer, she has gone maybe 3 times outside, each time with praise and showing her that I was picking it up. But there is no trend. I take them (I have a younger Bichon/Shih Tzu) out at about the same time everyday. The younger dog is essentially potty trained. She will go outside and take care of all her business. Yet, this seems not to have influenced my older dog. I live in an apartment, so I'm wondering when I move into a house with a fenced in backyard, if the freedom of not being on a leash will get her to go. She really seeks privacy going #2, which is why she goes at night when everyone is sleeping. I have tried crate training also, but not much helped there either!

HELP!

A doggy acquaintance in my neighborhood has a similar trial with this issue. He doesn't have a fenced yard, so if he puts his dog outside, he has her on a tie-out. He says she very rarely goes on that. He says she will NOT go on a leash-- she just can't seem to relax. So every morning, and every evening, he brings her to the park, in an enclosed ball field (our city is very nice about letting people do this) to let her off leash. Sometimes she poohs, and sometimes she doesn't. He is always very pleased and relieved when she does, since obviously constipation is a concern. As for your situation-- if there is nowhere close by you can take her to potty off-leash, do you think she would use one of those doggy litter boxes? They have various different models and systems, maybe you could try one, put it in a semi-private corner (maybe in the bathroom, if it's big enough), and teach your dog to go only there.

If you're sure she has to go, and you want to help the situation along, there's an old dog show trick that might help. You need a book of matches and a small jar of Vasoline.

Take her to the area you want her to use, tear off 2 or 3 matches, lube the paper end (not the part that lights) and insert. She'll start pushing to get them back out again, and if there's any stool in her colon, that will get pushed out, too. If she's really shy, get a long leash and turn your back while she goes.

i suggest you to train your dog once you transfer in your new house..so that you'll not be having any problems..

Originally Posted by jv17

i suggest you to train your dog once you transfer in your new house..so that you'll not be having any problems..

I think the OP knows she has to train the dog. The question is how.

I don't know about that matches thing. I understand how the idea works, but even I squirm at the vet's office when they do that.

Should I try to do crate training again? I would feel guilty about putting her in the crate without the other trained dog, so should I put both of them in the crate. I just started working normal work hours again, so it's been accident city. My younger dog knows that if she has to go to go on the puppy pad. I've tried the dog litter stuff, and my dog didn't do anything with it except for playing with it. How do I properly train with crate training if I'm not able to come home for 8 hours? Tips please!!!

You have a year old habbit to deal with. It might take about the same time or longer to resolve it. I would respect the judgment of my dog and deal with the "disasters" as much as I can primarily.
You know she is marking her den. Please respect that. She has a strong mind, don't try to break it. You really don't know what kind of other trouble she helps you get out of.
Be patient with your loving friend. She would be patient with you, too!!