doesnt go to the bathroom outside!

Hey everyone, a little over a month ago, I got a 6 month old germ shep mix from a no-kill shelter, and his name is Wesley!

It seems, that he doesnt know he's supposed to go to the bathroom outside. And i dont mean that he has accidents, i mean he will hold it while we walk, and then go the moment he comes back in!

I have stayed outside with him for an hour and a half (even longer when we go to the park) and he refuses to go UNTIL the moment he steps back in the house.

He knows to go on paper, and Ive been bringing the paper outside to show him. A family even recommended bringing dried paper outside that he already went on, did that - still didnt work. I even tried one of those pheremones haha.

I cant figure it out! He will ONLY go inside! Any help would be greatly appreciated! :)

In his previous home, this dog may never have gone outside to eliminate. I know it sounds impossible, but I have seen this with other dogs and one of them was a Great Dane, who only eliminated in the house!

OR, your dog may have been clobbered as a means of housetraining and now is too afraid to go when outside with you. The good thing is that he's very young and should learn rapidly.

You're going to have to start with him as though he were 8 weeks old. NEVER give him an opportunity to soil in the house. Get a crate and put it near the door. When you think he needs to go (first thing in the morning, after eating/drinking or sleeping) take him out on leash. Take soiled papers and put them down for him to sniff. As he does, encourage him in a happy voice to "Go potty!"

Do not walk him or play with him. Stand in one spot. Make sure you have some super yummy treats with you, and if he goes, give him one and praise him to the skies and let him play or go for a nice walk. Make sure the treat is a special treat he gets ONLY for eliminating outside. Hopefully he'll learn that going outside means good things will happen!

If he doesn't go, put him in his crate and try again in a 1/2 hour or so. He will eventually have to go. Do NOT scold or punish in any way!

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

leighhand

Hey everyone, a little over a month ago, I got a 6 month old germ shep mix from a no-kill shelter, and his name is Wesley!

good luck with Wesley that happens to be my sons name. :D Thats my human son that is. I think DLR gave you good advice.

Hi I just had to respond. My shepard/Chow mix was from shelter and I got her at 6 months...she did the exact same thing for hours i would walk her then when we got inside she went...For me what I did was took a day and just sat outside with her ( i am not a trainer in no means but letting you know how i broke her) as the other poster said I didnt walk her or nothing I actually had a chair and sat out there and held her lease and said 'hurry up and go" well about 2 1/2 hrs later she peed and I was thrille.d I made such a big deal out of it gave her treats and told her what a good girl she was...I didnt put the papers down in the house anymore and she had an accident just once where the papers were and that was it...She has never had an accident in the house again (except for once when she got sick) but she is now 5..so patience there is hope....best of luck to you and Wesley

As others had said you need to start from scratch. If you want to know is it is the type of surface you can try to take him out to the sidewalk or a driveway to see if he will go there.