She refuses to pee or poo outside of her own yard

    • Silver

    She refuses to pee or poo outside of her own yard

    Hi there. New member - other than introduction - first time poster. We have to gorgeous dobes and love them to bits! I'm a dog person - grew up my whole life with them and even did some dog agility trials (very low local level) and some obedience stuff when I was younger. This problem is not one that i have run into before and it would not be an issue except that we are about to move 1700 miles away and drive there. Ok now you are probably saying, "She will pee when she has to bad enough." Uh-uh- I've seen this dog hold it when there is very "gaping" visible evidence that she NEEDS TO GO! She's held it for 3 miles! I've been taking her on longer and longer walks hoping that by default she will freak out and go outside her yard. Then I can praiser her and she will get it. She's even watched the other dobe and I've tried to make the association. No luck. I know it sounds like a silly worry - but I would hate to add emergency digital evacuation to the laundry list of things this move will involve. She is already nervous in a car. Has anyone had this problem before? Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm at about 45 days before we take off so I've got time to work on it. Thanks much!!!
    • Gold Top Dog

    My two oldest were like that as youngsters.  They would do their thing anyplace, EXCEPT when we stopped for them to pee on a trip.  The campground, no problem, but on the road??  Forget it.  And it was simply a matter of out waiting them.  I've heard a match stick in the rectum will help with the poop problem.

    • Silver
    Well I hope you are right! She has only peed *one* time and that was in 2008 when we were actually evacuated because we were flooded out by Ike. (I know - you would never expect in Chicago - neither would I until it happened.) Anyway - 7 ft of water in our house and the fire department and boats - the whole 9 yards. In *that* instance - she held it for FORTY EIGHT hours! Then she peed. Then my in-laws came home and we were able to hang out there for the rest of 10 days we were gone. They had a yard and she was ok with it. Anyway- not to rehash things but that is the one time she peed elsewhere- and it was pretty extreme. *ummm* what is the match stick trick? I'd like to know what it is in case we have to employ it on my trip. Thanks much!!!
    • Gold Top Dog

    I honestly don't know for sure, but some of the folks that show should be able to help.  I think it's a wooden match stick used a bit like a suppository.

    One thing that might help is to use a longer lead so that she can feel that she has a bit of privacy

    • Moderators
    • Gold Top Dog

     Bugsy is still a dog that is reluctant to go elsewhere (other than his yard) although he has gotten better about peeing he can still hold off pooping for insane amounts of time.

    The way I look at it now is that he will go when he just can't hold on anymore.  When we travel he often won't poop for a couple of days - to the point he can't/won't eat - but he goes eventually.  (and he is much better than he used to be at nearly 5)

    The longer line is a good idea and also bringing some soiled grass/earth/mulch/ whatever with you might help.  put it down where you want her to go and her own scent might help.  I would try to train a command to go as well - that has helped us but we did that from day 1.

    I wouldn't do the matchstick thing unless she hadn't gone (poop) for more than 3 days.  But that is me not any scientific info.  I just know my guy has gone that long several times

    good luck

    • Puppy

    Hi, I hope you don't mind me responding to your posting.  I am a NYS Certified Dog Behaviorist/Trainer.   Please do not use the match stick advice - very dangerous!   My suggestions to you are to first keep track of her normal eating times, poop times, pee times, etc.  Much like we do when housebreaking a puppy. Make a daily schedule sheet so you can accurately pinpoint everything.  Start now by taking her on a "bathroom" walk outside of her comfort zone.     The more you get to know her digestion system the better you will be able to pinpoint the time she really has to go.   I have had people say that they take their puppy out every half hour but she only goes sometimes - the answer is that she goes when she has to. 

    If you arent seeing results in a day or so on the walks,  take a piece of poop or a dab of pee on a paper towel and place it outside of your home to get her started.  You can even take the same from the other dog.  sounds gross but I have done this on many occasions and have been successful.    Make this as much a part of your daily routine as showering, brushing your teeth, etc is to you.    If you are consistent with this then you can teach her to go elsewhere.   Also, even though the day of the move is going to be stressful and emotional for you, it will be for her as well.  Take her (and the other dog) for a long, calm walk before putting them in the car - this will help tremendously, please make the time for this.  Also, as you take your driving breaks make sure to walk them for about 10-15 minutes if you can and remember to keep track of her bathroom schedule. Another very important thing, before you go into your new home with the dogs walk them for at least 30 minutes.   When you take them inside keep them on leash, do not let them go exploring through the house by themselves.  For the first week keep them confined to one room if possible and gradually introduce them to each room.   Change can effect a dog as much as it can us.  I had a case where a couple moved to a new home and the previously well balanced dog began biting (really biting) everyone that came into the home, including the owners.  The dog wasn't properly "introduced" into the new home and was very frightened by the new situation.

    I wish you the best of luck on this endeavor and hope my advice helps!