[mydogchloe]

Hi,

I have an amazing black lab/beagle mix girl called Chloe. She is almost 11 months old and has done a great job with all of her training. The only issue I'm dealing with is around bathroom training. She never has an accident in the house, but will not go outside to pee unless I'm with her. She loves sitting outback on the porch or playing in the closed in yard independently but will not pee or poop unless I'm out there. She can be outside for an hour come in then scratch at the door to do her business. Once I'm out with her and say Chloe pee she will do her business then come back in. Is there a way to break her of this habit so she will go when she is out independenlty??? I am really hoping that I will not have to stand outside with her in the dead of winter. It's gets pretty darn cold where I am! We walk her at least 2 times a day and she gets to run around the yard (open 2 acres) daily playing frisbee or catch, so she gets lots of play time with mom or dad. She has done great with her house training and hasn't had an accident in the house for many months. She is a very smart dog and follows commands exceptionally well and is a very good natured and loving dog. We just adore her. She has been an amazing addition to our now empty nest. I should mention she was a rescue pup that had been abused prior to our adopting her at 15 weeks. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[angiesample]

My dog was like that for a long time too!! Especially since we live in an apartment and i would have to leash her up to take her potty. So when we would go for playdates and stuff she would come get me and then i would walk beside her to go potty, she just couldnt go on her own. So when i realized this wasnt good i started by staying on the deck and saying go potty and then praising her when she did her business. Then i started opening the door and saying "its potty time" i would stand at the door so she could see me until she went then when she did her thing she got a cookie. Now all i have to do is let her out and she just goes potty when she needs too. It was kind of a long process especially since i didnt have a lot of opportunities to practice off leash.. But she eventually got it. Good luck!