Hello Everyone!

I have a 3 month old Boxer/Pittbull puppy (whom I love dearly) but, for some reason whenever its time for her to go outside and "do her business" she thinks its time to go and run or sniff everything she has sniffed a million times before or look at the cars go by. So, we end up playing tug of war! I hate to have to pull on leash so hard but she wont behave. Why? It should be routine by now I am tempted at times to just let her go. Even when I know she has to go, she insists on holding it in only to relieve herself once inside. Im sooo tired of cleaning ...poop off of the carpet!

Plz help

[Piti Longstalking]

Welcome to the forum.

When you say it should be routine, does that mean you've taught her how to walk with a loose lead?

What type of leash are you using?

Are you just letting her out in the yard? Or are you taking for a walk to eliminate?

How much physical, outdoor activity does she get daily?

Do you use a crate in the home?

Are you crate training her? You need to get her on a schedule. Take her to the same spot each time you take her out. Bring her to that spot and tell her "go potty" give her 10 minutes. If she does not go bring her inside and put her in the crate for 10 minutes then take her outside and try it again. You may need to do this a few times. Make sure to bring some treats outside with you so that when she does go you can praise her, tell her good potty and give her a treat. Have you started obedience classes or puppy kindergarten yet? that will help with the walking. You can try to pat your leg to get her to follow you or use a toy and a reward for walking with you. What do you walk her on... type of leash and collar?

Im not sure of the "type" of leash or collor I have...I just went and picked it up from petsmart when I first got her.

I take her out in the morning when we wake up around 10-10:30. I walk her the same route each time we go out and straight to where she does her buisness. Sometimes she'll do it right away and goes to her spot with no problem and other times she would rather play. Thats when I end up having to tug on the leash a little. I've tried taking a toy out with me but, i think thats just a distraction. She gets lots of excercise both in and outside of the house.

She hasnt had any formal training...just what I've taught her on my own. Im thinking now that will be a good investment.

If her crate has been used for punishment...can it now be used for crate training?

I had roommates when i first got her, and everytime she did someting "wrong" she was put in the crate.

In terms of type of collar and leash... is it nylon (soft cloth), leather, chain, metal? Leash is it leather, nylon, retractable, chain, how many feet?

Using the crate for "timeouts" she can transition to using it for crate training.

I suggest reading the following books... they are all available on amazon.com and are all under $18.

"Crate Training Your Dog" By Pat Storer
"Be the Dog" By Steve Duno
"Leader of the Pack" By Nancy Baer & Steve Duno
"The ABC's of Positive Dog Training" By Miriam Fields Babineau and Evan Cohen

These are all off my dog book reading list for my clients and adopters.

lol. both her collar and leash are cloth. her leash is about 3ft long.

Thanx to everyone who responded for the great advice

[Piti Longstalking]

Originally Posted by Nya*s_Mommi21

If her crate has been used for punishment...can it now be used for crate training?

I had roommates when i first got her, and everytime she did someting "wrong" she was put in the crate.

Any chances your roommates can be stuffed in the crate for punishment?

To answer your question, yes, the dog can form a new association with the crate. If you gave her a frozen stuffed Kong with all of her favorite goodies each time she was asked to use the crate, she may quickly learn that the crate ain't such a bad place to be. And while working at the Kong she may tire herself out enough to take a nap afterward.

Originally Posted by Nya*s_Mommi21

lol. both her collar and leash are cloth. her leash is about 3ft long.

I'd recommend a 6 foot lead. A 3 foot lead doesn't give the dog many options in terms of learning. A shorter lead is likely to always be taut, which takes away her ability to discriminate between where it's acceptable to walk near you and where it is not. A longer leash would afford you a range where pressure is applied and where it is not in reference to you.

Once your dog begins to exceed the limit of the leash you should stop and "be a tree". Meaning you halt in place and don't move, holding the leash at your waist like I mentioned to you before, and rewarding eye contact and replacement next to you. This way the dog can begin to learn, at the end o the leash we go nowhere, but if I'm next to mom she loves on me.

Originally Posted by Piti Longstalking

Any chances your roommates can be stuffed in the crate for punishment?

Nya would prb love that! :lol:

What u said makes sense. Thank you!