Puppy training

[JanieAnn Love]

I have a 5 month old puppy and I am having problems potty training him. He goes outside to pee but thats it. Anyone know a trick. HELP

[Matthew]

I had the exact same problem with my shih-tzu and lhasa apso mix that I got from a shelter. He would pee in the yard, but wouldn't poop except for when he went on a walk. What I did was carry treats everytime I took him out, whether he peed or pooped I made a huge deal out of it, praised him, gave him lots of treats. As with the pooping, just keep taking him about once or twice an hour. Eventually he'll go, no matter if its in your yard (thats how it worked with me) There was a week where he wouldnt poop until mid night, but then he eventually learned that good things (treats and praise) would come if he pooped when I took him out in the morning (because I had school and I couldn't let him continue to poop in the house) He still needs some more work on it, but he's certainly making progress.

[JanieAnn Love]

Thank you sooo much I will try that.

[Nancy]

Five months is old not to be house trained. Having said this, the dog is partially house trained as he urnates outside. When you see him squat to poop lift him up and take him outside. When he goes give him a treat and say Good boy
Things NOT TO DO
1. do not physically punish, for going inside
2.do not push his snout in poop
3. do not say bad dog if you have not seen him actually squat to poop inside.

Things to do
1. stay out for longer, go for walks with poopy bags see how long it takes him to go.
2. Crate train. Dogs do not go where they sleep or eat. Give free time after he has gone outside.
Hope this helps.
Nancy

[JanieAnn Love]

Thank you for the pointers. I know that 5 months is old but I guess I was doing it wrong. I will try these and see what happens.

[fran vecchia]

do you paper train or use those pads? if you do, first move them day by day towards the door to the outside and then finally out. if you dont think of the puppy as a baby, the only diff is that you take puppy outside every 2 hours day and night. i dont like crate training,but what helped me was a baby gate, so that my puppy who is now 10 years old, was in just one area at night.it takes patiance and some times the dog will not go. you can try to adjust feeding schedule

[Marie]

I agree with Nancy on what to do. I've had my "fun" trying to potty train puppies. Some will learn very quickly, and others won't. Like Nancy said, it takes persistence and patience. Eventually, he'll learn. You just have to watch him like crazy and as soon as he starts to make his move, rush him outside. I always would say..."Go Potty outside" every time I took them out and they actually did it outside. The normal praise and petting just helps to reinforce it.
Crate training can be done w/o an actual crate. I've even used a playpen, or like someone else mentioned, a baby gate to section an area off for him. Good luck!!!

Also, make sure you are getting rid of any odor from where he is pooping inside as the smell will entice him to keep doing it. Even if you clean the area, sometimes doggies can still smell their own business and will go again in the same spot.