I adopted a dog from a shelter that was likely hit by a car. She’s a small mutt, around 10 pounds, with a hint of Spaniel in her. Despite her challenges, I adore her. Teaching her basic commands like sit took an unusually long 3 months, compared to most dogs that learn in minutes or a few days.
She has a strong preference for indoor pooping, whether due to weather, safety, or who knows what. We’ve tried walking her frequently with treats, but she often holds it for days. We’re considering crating her between walks and trying 4-5 times daily.
Even when she does poop outside occasionally, consistency is a challenge. Sometimes she gets it, but then forgets, or surprises us with unexpected accidents. It feels like most dog advice assumes easy learning, unlike my dog, who might be paying for my past life misdeeds.
It is wonderful that you are providing her with a loving home through adoption. In particular, if they have experienced trauma in the past, some dogs do require more time to learn and adjust. Crating in between walks and attempting several times a day seems like a sensible strategy. Consistency and patience are essential. For individualised guidance, you can also think about speaking with a qualified trainer.
Give a verbal cue. When you see that your dog is about to pee or poop outside, say a verbal cue such as “go potty” or “hurry up.” The dog will start to associate the command with going to the bathroom. By conditioning a command like this, you can encourage your dog to go in the correct areas quickly.
I adopted a small mutt, around 10 pounds with a hint of Spaniel, from a shelter where she was likely hit by a car. Despite her challenges, I adore her. Training her took an unusually long time, with basic commands like “sit” taking three months. She prefers indoor pooping, possibly due to past experiences or discomfort outside, and we’ve struggled with consistency. Despite frequent walks with treats, she often holds it and occasionally has accidents. We’re now considering crating her between walks and increasing the frequency to 4-5 times daily. Any advice on dealing with such stubbornness and improving consistency would be greatly appreciated!
If you have a particular place along the route (such as a designated poop yard), walk him “purposely” to that spot and loosen up on the leash . Give him your potty command… be it, “go potty”, or whatever. Don’t distract him with chit-chat, just stand still and let him circle and sniff. Don’t rush him