Puppy won't go while people are around

Ramseytch · 02-28-2011

When we brought our puppy home in late December, it was to cold and snowy to potty train her outside. So, I trained her (sort of) on a pee pad in my garage. The problem is, from day one, she wouldn't go as long as I was around. I tried to wait her out (sometimes staying in the garage with her for an hour at a time) but she refused to go on the pads until I went inside. Then, it was instantaneous. Now that the weather is nice, I'm trying to train her to go outside on the grass. And she WILL NOT GO!!! She refuses to go in the grass. We live in a townhome and don't have a fenced in yard, so she is on a leash and I am obviously with her. Again, I've tried to wait her out - staying outside with her for long lengths of time. She just refuses. She still won't go on the pee pad in my garage if I'm out there with her. I'm at my wits end. Help!

DoggieVogue · 03-01-2011

Have you tried taking her on walks? Does she do her business then? A lot of the time my dogs are so excited to be out and walking around and want to "mark" their territory they don't even notice I'm there. I would maybe try that if you haven't yet! I know it sounds like a lot of work and time consuming, but this way she can get used to going outside.

puppypaige · 03-01-2011

Walking her might help. Do you use a command to tell her it is time to go potty? You may have to get sneaky to be out of the garage but still watching her so you can praise her when she goes. Take it slowly. outside the garage door with it cracked open > just inside the garage door, etc. Hopefully you can eventually train her to go when you are around. Then you have to bring the leash into it so she learns that there is a time to be on the leash and go potty, with the potty command. Just a thought. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any quick fix.

Good luck!

Ramseytch · 03-01-2011

Well, she is very stubborn. I have her enrolled in a puppy class and the trainer told me I just need to wait her out. Take her through the same routine / place every time she goes outside to potty. If she doesn't go within 5-10 minutes, take her back in and crate her for 30 minutes. If she goes, play / interact with her. I spent all night taking her out every 30 minutes and she finally went this morning @ 7:15AM!!!! I'm hoping she will do better today.

Yogi · 03-01-2011

You can allso take the puppy pad outside to the area you want the dog to go and place it there. Take the dog to it so she recognizes it.

DoggieVogue · 03-02-2011

I'm glad she's made a little bit of progress! That's a good sign! As long as you keep it up and are persistent with your routine like the trainer said, I'm sure she will continue to improve. Keep us posted!