I haven't posted for a while - problems with computer. Anyway, my Lhasa pup is now 12 weeks old and does not seem to have the foggiest idea about why I take her outside She seems to actively resist 'going' in the garden,no matter how long I stay out with her even though I give her lots of praise when she infrequently does. She has one place indoors she uses to wee and another for the other! I have tiled floors so after they have been cleaned there is no way she can sniff where she's done it before. I know she's still very young, but she is showing no signs of learning this at all. Other than this, she is very bright and intelligent. She sits and lies down to command and trots along beautifully on the lead. We love her to bits, she is a real character. She hates the toys we bought her and has adopted a plastic flowerpot! Just like kids aren't they - you give a child an expensive toy and all they are interested in is the box it came in!
Any help anyone could give on when I could expect her to start understanding that the kitchen is not her personal loo would be much appreciated.

Sharon

Hi sharon,

12 weeks is still very young, particularly for some reason for the little breeds like Lhasos, so it's still early days yet. You say you clean the tiled floor when she's 'been'. What do you use? Not everything removes the very particular scent that a dogs urine leaves and this could be triggering her to 'go' in that place......... When do you take her out and how often? A puppy needs to go as soon as they wake from a nap, as soon as they've eaten, when they've just finished playing, and possibly every half hour inbetween..... Don't allow her access to the room where she does go, unless you are watching her - and as soon as she heads for that corner - whisk her outside. You are aiming not to give her the opportunity to get it 'wrong' and every chance to do it 'right'. Try this, keep on praising her to bits when she does do the right thing (food treats come in handy here :-) Dried liver is a good one) and she will 'get it' - I promise. It's a bit like potty training children - some seem to take forever - but very few go to school in nappies..........

HTH

Fran

Thanks Fran for the good advice. I know she's going to get it in the end. It's just that it's a very long time indeed since I had a puppy. I've got used to having cats and they learn straight away. I don't mind, being used to messy children, and I suppose, having a puppy is a bit like having a new baby. My husband though keeps stepping into little puddles in his bare feet - I'll have to buy him some slippers!
Here's something to make you laugh - I took her out into the street yesterday for the 1st time and she attracted a great deal of attention, but nobody seemed to know what she was. My neighbour said "what is that supposed to be?",somebody else asked me if she was a Shitsu (close, but not quite), another thought she was a 'gone wrong' Yorkie. When I said she was a Lhasa Apso I got the response "A what?"!!!
My sister had a similar response when she took her puppy to the vet- somebody thought it was a miniature Old English Sheepdog!
Oh well, ignorance is bliss.....
Thanks again,

Sharon

Sharon, it might also help to bring some of the poop out into the garden where you want her to go. Also if you clean up the pee, put that paper out there too. Supposedly the scent will make them have to go pee again. She might get the idea of where you want her to go from seeing that out there. Purina.com has some great puppy training advice.
Good Luck! Lhasas are cutie pies!

Thank you Bumble. I have tried all the other things mentioned on Champdogs about getting him trained but at 5 months Barney my lhasa is still going by the back door even if I put clean paper out in the garden so I will try the "dirty" ones now (when the wind drops as it is very windy at the moment LOL). He loves the garden and spends a lot of time out there even if it is raining but I also put him out when advised ie after eating, sleeping etc and on a lead to show it isnt play time (when he just looks at me as if I am mad) but he still waits until he comes back in to pee etc. Will let you know if it works as it might help Sharon too. I hope it does. He sleeps all night in our bedroom with no accidents unless we have a lay in and then we carry him downstairs and let him out but he still his goes in his usual spot by the door!! Regards Gina

I have exactly the same problem as yourself, my dog is 6 months old and was initially paper trained at the back door and was brilliant, that was the only place he would go.
When my job changed (I am a temp) I wasn't sure if I could get home in time for him to go, so I left the paper down for him.
When on walks, he very rarely goes at all, but will wee on the front lawn on his return, but no poop!
I know for a fact that he can hold his bladder and bowels for 5 hours at least even after a meal and a drink, then if I take him out he may wee, but thats all, then eventually when we are freezing after a long wait, we take him back inside, if we turn our back for a second, he will poop at the back door even now the papers have been long removed.
The floor is tiled and has been cleaned repeatedly with biological washing powder.

If we go out somewhere or go to bed and then go into the kitchen after forgetting something, he has weed and pooped within 1 minute of being left, even though we have spent 20 minutes waiting for him to go.
I am beginning to think he does it out of temper at being left.

The only way I can guarantee he won't go at the back door is to exclude access to the kitchen, then he will wee outside on command if he is due to go but still will not poop!!!!

Cooking or doing any jobs in the kitchen is a nightmare as I have to keep one eye on him constantly, he doesn't make any gesture at the door, even leaving it open for him has no effect he still pees by the back door.
Thank god its not carpeted I'd have to move house!!!!

There have only been about 15 poops outside in the four months we have had him.And thats been when we have been working outside or out on a walk and he has been really desperate.
I have tried all the suggestions everybody else has made and nothing has really helped.

Any other ideas?

sounds like we have twins!! I leave the back door open and we are either freezing inside or outside with him and within 2 minutes of bringing him in......oops again!! Lhasas are supposed to be a bit wary of strangers but mine isnt. He loves people and dog watching and doesnt even pee on our walks as he is so interested in anything that has legs. Let us hope we get some help. I will let you know if putting the soiled "nappy pads" outside works and perhaps you could keep me informed of anything that works for you. He has almost stopped nipping everyone now and uses his lips or mouth instead of his teeth so at least that is one problem solved LOL Regards Gina. PS He is flat out in the kitchen at the mo as I am cooking (on computer, petting dog and cooking!!) eating a raw carrot which he loves!

Could you try putting something over the favorite spot to go potty in the kitchen?
I know you said it is in front of the back door, but if you put something there it might make them go elsewhere, and lets hope that new place is outside. I haven't tried this with dogs, but I have with cats and had excellent results. In any case, it's worth a try. Good luck, and let me know the outcome!

H just goes and wee's nearest to where he would normally go, I have put soiled and wet paper out there in the hope the smell would be transfered and he would get the hint, but no alas!!!!

Hi Gina,
I think Lhasas are just stubborn little dogs! They are obviously not thick, as they manage to learn other things fairly quickly. I have now cut down on her available space and she is not allowed to roam as freely as before. She is not crated but I have sectioned off part of the conservatory for her, where she stays while I am busy - she can still see me as it leads off the kitchen - and she seems to be much better. The only downside is that it's the part where the washing machine is and this morning I came downstairs, having stupidly left the door open, to find Tilly having the time of her life chewing up socks! She is also not wary of strangers, she just loves everybody. I'm sure all our 'creatures' will become housetrained in time. What colour is your Lhasa Gina? Tilly is sort of brindle with white paws and a white tip to her tail and under her chin. She is also incredibly hairy. Her coat is already 3 inches long at 12 weeks. Good luck with your Lhasa - they are great little dogs, if a little stubborn!

Sharon

Hi Sharon

Mine is definitely stubborn. He gives a little soft growl now if he wants his tummy rubbed and what do I do yep rub it. He is not aggressive in any way and there is more lip now than nipping so that is good. He still only does his doings at the back door but it has been raining so much the last few days I cant put out his dirty nappy thingy yet but will try that when it is dry and not so windy. I dont want a face full LOL. He knows everything you say to him, like time for bed, here you are, what is this, din dins but seems to be deaf to No!! He is very hairy and I shall be posting a question about grooming parlours later. I want to keep him teddy bear looking as he loves going out in the rain and dirt. Wait until your one is a bit older and see if she starts burying things. You will know because she will come in with a large clump of mud in the middle of her face instead of a nose LOL. Not sure what colour brindle is but Barney has changed colour as he has grown and has a lot of white, and a smattering all over his back of brown and black. And his ears start white and then go to a mixture of brown and black. Sorry better shut up hadnt I !!! Regards Gina

I don't know if you saw my previous post earlier today, but yesterday I got in and cleaned up the mess near the back door and took him out for a walk, when we got home he had a wee on the front law as asked, and put him out for a wee before i went to bed, got up at 7.30 this morning and he hadn't done ANYTHING!!!!! Praise all round,
Took him out for his walk this morning where on returning home he had a wee and a poo!!!!
Maybe its sinking in, not out of the woods yet, but at least its an improvement.
We will just have to keep trying.

Hooray! Nothing like a clean floor and crate!