Pup Refusing To Toilet Outside

[twobit88]

Hi all

I have an 8 week old Siberian pup named Jedi and while I know there will be accidents inside and expect them I am beginning to get a bit frustrated.

Firstly when inside and in his play area Jedi will most times use the provided newspaper to relieve himself. Or at least now that I have removed the bed I'd bought him that he decided was actually the toilet.

I look for the signs and try taking him outside an every time I do he doesn't want to toilet.

Maybe it's because I lack grass and he only has the options of concrete, gravel or mulch.

My other thought was perhaps he is nervous about going toilet infront of my older dog Rex. I got this thought after one time taking Jedi out for a toilet trip while Rex was down the side of the house and to my delight he went very quickly on the gravel.

Now I know I'm takin him out when he needs to go as most times he will go almost immediately when brought back inside and not on the paper as he normally would.

I was given further proof of that today (what prompted me to post) as we were out most of the day and he was outside with Rex. Yet when I got home and let him in he went toilet on the floor.

I'm going to try moving the paper near to the door and then outside when he is frequently using it near the door. However as I won't always be home during the day I wont be able to consistently praise him for going outside to toilet.

I know I'm in for a bit of a ride here but hey, he is my baby after all and I can't expect him to know best

Thanks in advance

[Pretty Miss Emma]

I would be waiting outside until he goes. At only 8 weeks I would be taking him out every 30-60 min & after eating/playing/sleeping & just wait him out until he goes. And if he also has accidents when you get home ho outside to see him nd don't let him in until he's gone to the toilet.

I never used paper with kenz (more to the point, even if it was down she wouldn't use it!) & I've heard some say it can make training slower but I don't really know.

They do prefer surfaces that are softer (like grass). Maybe if you can create a small area in your yard that even has fake grass that might help.

But I'd definitely be waiting pup out & not letting him in until he's toileted. And do lots of praise & rewards every time he goes outside.

[OSoSwift]

Where abouts did you get your pup from and/or did you see where they were kept and on what surface?

[becks]

If pup is showing no interest in toileting outside, allow pup indoors and then take pup back outside again quicker then he has time to go indoors. Sometimes the outdoors can be to interesting and they need the reminder they get as they go back indoors to tell them it is toilet time.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Your puppy is very young, it's like a toddler at that age - you do need to expect there will be accidents. I recommend you have a thorough read about puppy toilet training on the web, and what to expect.

[aussielover]

Take him out separately from you other dog, especially if it stresses him having the other dog around.

Take him on a lead to a desginated toilet area. Walk wround on circles to encourage him to toilet. Wait 10-15 minutes if need be.

If he still doesn't go, take him inside, put him in a crate if you have one or a small confined area for 30 minutes (they are less likely to go in a crate or small space- unless they've been raised to toilet in their bedding area eg petshop) and then take him out again and repeat.

If he does go- HUGE praise, give him a reward like food or a toy/game. Play with him for a bit outside after if conditions permit.

Also helps to start putting a cue on toileting- as he starts going say something like "go toilet" "hurry up" etc.

Puppies generally need to toilet when they wake up, after eating and after playing. These are times you are likely to have success with him toileting outside.

They also need to toilet every 30-60 mins when they are awake and active and depending on the puppy, around every 4 hours when sleeping (but this can vary hugely- some pups can hold for up to 8-10 hours, some for only 2)

Good luck!

[dancinbcs]

If the breeder had him on grass he will be looking for the closest surface to grass to toilet on. Carpet is pretty close to grass as far as a puppy is concerned. Can you make him a small turfed area in the garden among the mulch that can gradually be decreased in size until he goes on the mulch. Dogs generally prefer not to toilet on concrete or gravel so you are facing an uphill battle to toilet train a puppy on those surfaces.

[twobit88]

Hi all, thank you so much for the replies.

The inside surface is floorboards, so while it's not a prefere place its not a nightmare either.

The good news is I've had a lot more successful trips outside. Aside from accidents last night while he was in his area (his first night sleeping alone) he has gone outside.

I have been repeating "go toilet" every time he is in the process of doing so and always praising him heals afterwards.

Further more the two dogs are getting along nicely now that they are more used to each other. Found them down the side of the house today sleeping with each other.

He has ever started to meet the cat today and given how timid the cat is that's a pretty huge deal.

As I type this up I'm watching a movie with Jedi sleeping at my feet, Louie sleeping on top of his scratching post and Rex just outside the door sleeping as if waiting for Jedi.

Haven't got Jedi sleeping outside yet, he isn't used to being left alone too much yet so easing him into it during the day

Thanks again for all the advice. The lil man and I will learn together

[persephone]

..glad it's going well