A couple of weeks ago when I first got Dylan, I posted that he would not go to the toilet outside, prefering the carpet indoors. Well, we got that sorted after a couple of days and he was great. I watched him closely and could tell when he needed to go. He would circle by the door and be sniffing the floor. I'd jump up, take him outside, he would go and I would give loads of praise and a treat. Now, though, Dylan has got smart and realised that if he circles by the door with his head down, he gets to go outside. :rolleyes:
I've started taking him out on the lead, but he's not really used to it and thinks it's a game. (I'm working on that as well). How can I differentiate between wanting to go out and play, and wanting the toilet???

Thanks,
Sarah

We had a similar problem with Olive. She learned very quickly that when she squatted to pee we ran and opened the front door and she could get outside. So of course, Olive being a clever little bandit, realised what was happening and how she could use it to her advantage - everytime she wanted out to play, she would go into a squatting position- not peeing, just squatting, looking at mum and dad to see who would be first to react. It was getting so ridiculous that she was doing it upwards of 20 times a day. If we ignored her or turned away, she would move to another position in the room and try it again. It was very embarrassing when we had guests. Once we started to ignore her it stopped - and no puddles. She now barks at the TV when she wants out.

I know this doesn't help much, just thought I'd share. Good Luck with Dylan.
Joanne

Hi Sarah,
You may find this sorts itself out by autumn - in the summer we have the back door open all day (when we're home!!) so the dogs can come and go as they please. But 'outside' will always be a fun place to be, and so it should!

Hi ,

We do the same with the back door open (when we are there), sometimes it's open from 7.30am until about 10.30pm and the dogs come and go as they please. Puppies are always confined to the kitchen and have their own large puppy pen in part of the garden, so they don't go mad with the other dogs and get trampled.

We always have the same problem with our pups, but when they get to about 12 weeks, they can hold on a little longer and if you say no, when they ask, but keep an eye, if they get a bit frantic, take them out quick and praise them, but if they give up, they are just messing around. :)

manda
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