We just adopted a wonderful rescue dog who is about 1+ years old and very timid. She had lived outside and been tossed food occasionally. Although great progress has been made, I want to train her to poop and pee on a leash as we already walk our other dog. Right now she hides in a spot in the fenced yard and relieves herself. Any suggestions on how to do this? I would rather not have to start her in a crate, as she would really get spooked I think and we would loose all the trust and progress we've made with her.

She has learned to walk just fine on a leash, but exhibits no interest in doing anything other than walking even though she watches our other dog do what she needs to do! We come home and let her out into the yard when we figure she's got to go, and eventually she does.

I think you must give her extra attentions and training...also give her some toys and keep her close to other dog for her good exposure...

Basically, I'd say only let her outside when you're going to take her for a walk on the leash for the time being. If she isn't given the opportunity to go in the yard, she'll go while on leash if that's her only option. If you have a crate available, you might consider crating her while unsupervised in the house to avoid any accidents inside during the transitional period.

Originally Posted by susie22

I would rather not have to start her in a crate, as she would really get spooked I think and we would loose all the trust and progress we've made with her.

Well here is your problem... you. You are allowing human emotion to get in the way of giving your dog a balanced lifestyle.

I'm sorry but your dog does not trust you; she is actually very shy and anxious around you. You must be providing way too much emotional energy. Stop feeling bad, stop feeling guilty, and get out the crate. You need to example yourself as a strong leader for her to depend on.

For two weeks straight she needs 100% supervision & crate training. And for two months straight she is only allowed outside on a leash.

One door = bathroom, one door = walks.

Watch how quickly it will catch on.

I rescued a dog last fall who came from a similar background. Just teaching her to go outside, let alone on walks, was a challange. I had some success with a spray designed to encourage dogs to go in a certain location. This does not work for all dogs, but it could be worth a shot. You could take it on your walk and spray the ground, then if she goes, praise immediately.

All of our furkids have been rescues and have adjusted quickly, except for one of my female Rotties, Diamond.

Diamey had been physically abused, underfed, well, you know the routine. She was extremely nervous and would pee at the drop of a hat. She was so terrified by a leash (we suspect she had been beaten with one), that she would get on her belly and crawl.

My first suggestion working her on leash would be to make certain she knows the sit command. As I worked with Diamey on leash and she would begin her belly crawl, I would have her sit, then gently talk to her while softly scratching her chest (dogs love having their chests scratched). When she would calm down, I would start again teaching her to heel. Do these sessions daily and for short periods of time, maybe 10-15 minutes. After a couple of weeks, Diamey lost her fear of the leash and she would happily run to me when I picked it up to take her for walkies.

Also, try taking your dog out to the yard on a leash to go potty, even if she won't go. Stay with her if off leash and praise her to no ends when she goes. Try playing with her, too, as this will reinforce her trust in you. If the other dog goes out on leash and does potty, she will "model" his/her behavior.

I think your dog is of a fine and gentle nature, what we call civilized. She needs to sort of "close the toilet door", do it in private. Both dogs I have right now are like that, they prefer nobody watching when they do their toilet. I call it decency on their behalf and if you think decency is exclusively human, think again. It is a moment of vulnerability for the animal, they want to be hidden.

I would make sure and find her a secluded and private place to do it when walking on leash and look away when she does it.