any tips on getting a bitch to toilet??

Took Bea, 21 months, to our breed show over the weekend, pee'd and poo'd 1330hrs Fri afternnon.....then didn't go again until 0600hrs Sunday Morning!!!

Despite me taking her and my other girl out diligently in the hotel grounds etc....they were both clean in the hotel room, but her show day was Sat and she was really grumpy, and I'm sure it was down to not toiletting, cos she carried on drinking and eating as normal.....

some people said it's not unusual for bitches not to toilet when away from home, but just wondered if there were any tried and tested remedies??

(she was right as rain on the Sunday after having a huuuuuuge wee and 3 big poos!!!!) little monster

my other girl who is 5 years was no bother, toileted as normal

there must be something to encourage her (apart from letting her off the lead for a run....I would be too stressed in case she didn't come back)

Try a long line! Might give her the idea she is free but without the nightmares for you?
Aileen

I know I didn't take the retractable lead that I sometimes use at home, cos hubby was left at home with the 3 other dogs, and I only really thought of show leads and short leads for greater control......ho hum

think I might get a long lead and leave it in the show bag, so I don't have to think about it............

I don't know if this would help with an adult dog, but you can buy a spray of a liquid which encourages pups to toilet in a particular spot. Maybe you could spray it outside in the hotel garden, and hope she smells it and gets the urge! You could also train her to toilet by using the word (i use 'hurry up') whenever she goes at home, and when you are out and about near home, so she connects the word with the action, then next time she might do it on command.

she's never been bad for toiletting - usually responds to "wee wees", my other girl was fine

I'm assuming that it was the stress of being away from home in strange surroundings, plus all the exciting smells of the 200+ other dogs in the area!!!!

I'm just conscious that if we ever go away again, she won't be in top form for a show and neither will I!!! And if I have to travel a long distance I'd rather go the day before and stop over, but I'm reluctant to do that if I know she won't toilet.....catch 22 eh

I might try some additional training at home for her tho (somebody suggested it may be a confidence issue??)

I think some can be like that away from home. On show days my dog will go out before we go, and apart from having a wee when we get there (if long journey otherwise she doesn't go at all) but then thats it, all day no matter how long we are there for! Soon as we get home she runs off to relieve herself in the garden. Haven't a clue why she doesn't do it at shows (even outside ones) because she's not shy about going on the lead when we go for walks?

Thinking about it now, when we go on holiday Maddie doesn't go (apart for wee) until late into the next day and yet at home she is regular as clockwork? Funny dogs, aren't they :)

One of my girls used to be like this and the only thing that helped in the end was the fact we stayed away for a whole weekend and she just couldnt hold on any longer. Once she had got past this initial first time it was never as difficult again to get her to relieve herself and now she is fine when we go away.

well that's what she did in the end, I don;t think she could hold it any longer when it came to Sunday morning!!!

so fingers crossed she might be a bit better next time.

I might see if I can arrange a weekend away with her which doen't involve a show, so there's no added pressure (on me or her!!)