Teaching Dog To Go Downstairs/house Training

[MissTuppy]

We have a nearly 2yr old female Tenterfield. She is a fearful and anxious dog who spends all day with us and will not stay, without us, in her purpose built yard. If we wish to go out, she is put into her bed in the laundry with access to a doggie door (which is left open).

We cannot get Tuppy to go downstairs (internal stairs) to wee without one of us going with her. Consequently we are forever guesstimating when she needs to go. If we leave it up to Tuppy, she will eventually cry, and crawl around our face/chest (whilst we are sitting) until we work out whether she wants a trip downstairs, or something to eat or drink. She has been known to do her business inside (only once and downstairs) when we did not pick up she needed to go outside.

Also, she will come in the doggie door from outside but will not go out the doggie door from inside. I guess that means we should teach her to go out via the door by having a treat in hand. However, she is not overly keen on treats!!

Tuppy does receive a lot of love and attention. We are both home all day.

She really seems to dislike being in her doggie yard.

[stonecutter]

Does she get play time with you in her doggy yard to she knows it's a good place? Is there fun stuff to do? I started by hiding treats around the dog run, now we have a sand pit that has treats dug in when we go out.

[dee lee]

Have you taught Tuppy any commands? Does she sit etc?

If you have a good training relationship with her, I would perhaps teach a "send" downstairs, encouraging her to go on her own.

Just say "downstairs" when she is heading down in front of you & she will pick it up quickly.

It's a pretty handy command I find. I feel like I am forever telling my dog to go "downstairs"!

(& outside & inside & away from that!! I am such a nag! )

[MissTuppy]

Does she get play time with you in her doggy yard to she knows it's a good place? Is there fun stuff to do? I started by hiding treats around the dog run, now we have a sand pit that has treats dug in when we go out.

I will try the treats in her yard although I will have to stay there also. She just will not stay outside without us. We tried getting her to play with toys in her yard, no luck. We also tired a ring to a tree for her to play with but she was totally disinterested. I guess it is the usual, the owners need training!

[MissTuppy]

Have you taught Tuppy any commands? Does she sit etc?

If you have a good training relationship with her, I would perhaps teach a "send" downstairs, encouraging her to go on her own.

Just say "downstairs" when she is heading down in front of you & she will pick it up quickly.

It's a pretty handy command I find. I feel like I am forever telling my dog to go "downstairs"!

(& outside & inside & away from that!! I am such a nag! )

She will sit (takes a bit of work) but does not respond to 'downstairs'. Mind you she is smart enough to understand the word 'car' (she loves the car). I will try saying 'downstairs' everytime I take her down the stairs.