Hi all.  Since getting Lennon in early April we have allowed him free run of the garden (unless we are out).  It's warm, and it's nice and easy to have the patio door open all the time.

However, and you know where I'm going with this I'm sure, now the colder weather is approaching, I have an 11mth old pup who cannot understand why the patio door now remains shut a lot of the time.

He'll cry to go out, then, after about 5 minutes, will cry to come in, then after about 10 minutes cry to go out again.  This is a repeating pattern.

I know he's learned this behaviour, and it's not his fault, but I need advice please on how to put it right.

Thanks
*The yoyo*
:)

Just a thought Vicki.

It sounds like you are there most of the day and it might be worthwhile investing in some retraining behaviour now before the weather really turns. 

I expect his toilet habits are established so you don't need to worry too much that crying to go out always means crying to toilet.  You could try going out with him and having playtime.  You will need to shut the door after you so that he isn't going backward and forward, and just play with him for a while.  When you've had enough bring him back to the closed door make him sit and wait for it to be opened and then take him back in close the door.   Ignore the crying, so long as its not toilet time, when you want him to go out again, walk to the closed door wait for him to sit before you open it go out and play.  Repeat as often as you feel you can.  It is just a little first step which should at least stop the crying and encourage a quiet sit request to go outside.  Once he has got used to the fact that being separated from you by a door does not mean separated for life you can work on him having time outside alone, which may just happen anyway as he matures.  Nothing happens over night, give it time. .