Won't poop while on the leash

    • Gold Top Dog

    Won't poop while on the leash

    I really can't complain about my new rescue pointer, Grace, in general.  She prefers to pee and poop in her special spots in our yard (we have an e-fence).  However, when I walk her, she will pee during the walk but will not poo.  If I can't let her loose in the yard to poo, she gets flustered, doesn't know what to do and poops by the back door.

    Any advice out there on how to get her to poo during a walk?  There are times when I can't let her off leash.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Dogs can be very particular about their toilet habits. My dog has to be as far away from me as possible - which I appreciate! Maybe if you tried using a nice long leash, Grace would enjoy the privacy. I would imagine that eventually Grace will do what Grace has to do, whether she's on a leash or not. When she gives in and does her business make sure to praise her.

    Good luck
    • Gold Top Dog
    Maybe start taking her out to the backyard on a leash so she'll get used to pooping while on a leash.  My guy took awhile until he was comforatble enough to poo while taking him for a walk but he eventually did so.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I bought a 26' long retractable leash and this did the trick for the "pee" part.  Maybe taking her out in the yard on a long line and just standing there, not asking her to do anything, might be my next step. 
    I think that keeping her on a line or in her crate in the house might help, too.  We are traveling with them during the next couple of days, so it's gonna be down and dirty!

    • Gold Top Dog
    After you dog eats and you think it's close to potty time.  Take her out in the yard on a standard leash.  Give her about five minutes at her favorite spot.  If she doesn't go, bring her in and crate her.  Take her out about 20 minutes later and repeat.  Do this process until she goes on the leash.  She will go eventually.  Normally, after they have achieved it once or twice they are good to go. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    Mic,

    Thanks for your professional opinion.  I will try it with her. 
    • Puppy
    you said she was a rescue dog, so there could be a chance that she was yelled at for going poo infront of her old owners. It might take a while, but she will come around.
    • Gold Top Dog
    YEAY!  We traveled with Trudy (my setter) and Grace down to visit rels in GA.  Grace's, my pointer, only opportunity to go poo (and Pee) was while on a leash.  I praised her lots and lots every time she would "go" while on the leash.  (I was sooo happy and relieved [:D]) When we didn't have them leashed, they were either crated or in the car with us. 
     
    She pood and pees while walking on her leash every day - and twice today.  We were staying in my nephew's coach house and on the last couple of days, we even left them free for a couple of minutes alone in the couch house while we had dinner at my nephew's place.  They were perfect citizens!
     
    Thanks again for everyone's input.[:D]
     
    I should follow up and walk her ever morning to remind her that it is
    • Gold Top Dog
    Yeah reinforce that for a good long while by walking her on leash -- RAH!! THIS IS GREAT NEWS!
    • Gold Top Dog
    After you dog eats and you think it's close to potty time. Take her out in the yard on a standard leash. Give her about five minutes at her favorite spot. If she doesn't go, bring her in and crate her. Take her out about 20 minutes later and repeat. Do this process until she goes on the leash. She will go eventually. Normally, after they have achieved it once or twice they are good to go.
    ORIGINAL: mrgmfoster

    Mic's method works.  But, don't forget the praise, or even a small treat just after she finishes.  She may have been afraid to poop on leash in front of her last human, and that will let her know that it's fine to do in front of you.