Dirty Puppy

[Cooliedogz]

Can anyone offer any advice on how to stop a 6 month old lab/kelpie cross pooing in places she shouldnt. She will poo on footpaths, in sheds and on floorboards. She has been bought up on a farm so has had ample area to go off and poop. Would her dirty habits have anything to do with the way she was kept from birth until we got her?

[Animal House]

Can anyone offer any advice on how to stop a 6 month old lab/kelpie cross pooing in places she shouldnt. She will poo on footpaths, in sheds and on floorboards. She has been bought up on a farm so has had ample area to go off and poop. Would her dirty habits have anything to do with the way she was kept from birth until we got her?

If your lab/kelpie has only just come to you, and she hasnt been taught to toilet properly, then you will need to educate her.

Is she an inside dog? If so, you will need to take her out on her leash for regular toilet breaks, preferably to the same spot in the garden, and wait for her to wee/poo etc. Praise her immediately. Take her out straight after her meals as well, and always to the same spot..you can use a phrase such as "Go Wees" "Toilet time" everytime as well, that way she will get used to going and dont forget the praise, lots of "Good Girl" etc.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I fostered a dog earlier in the year that had been locked away in a shed for months.

She was harder to housetrain than most, I usually foster male terriers or crosses of and they learn within 2-3 days. The papillon girl took quite a bit longer to stop the pooping everywhere etc (inc on my bed).

I use the same method of training as Cazbear has described, no punishment or shouting, just love and rewards and that will get you there and maintain the good relationship with your puppy.