[ThassaGoodBoy!]

We have a fine little rot/heeler mix that we crate trained for the first 3 months of his life and he did amazingly well. We did good too obviously or he could not have. We had to keep him inside where we were renting until I finished building our house.

Now, we have moved to our 2 acres out in the country, where he now lives outside and you can probably guess my next question. Is there a way to train him to do his business in a certain area?

We have had this property for 5 years and have had a lab living out here the whole time, and I have never seen hers one single time! She goes in the woods I guess but I exaggaerate not she has never to my knowledge (no evidence anyway) left a pile anyhwere on the property.

Of course I do not expect a little puppy to suddenly take the cue from big sister. Nothing like that at all. And maybe I shouldn't have even mentioned the lab because I know the two are not related, but I mention it just to illustrate that for whatever reason, some dogs will not go in their own domain yet my little puppy is leaving them in our most busiest walk paths all around the house and especially between my shop and the house.

I undertsand this is 100% normal for him to do, because if there is a way to help him want to go in a certain area I am unable to give him that training. If it matters, he sleeps in his crate (always open) right beside my shop door, where I also feed him. So he bowels move not long afterwards of course and so he goes wherever the mood strikes him. Should I relocate his crate and foodbowl to a place closer to where I would want him to do his jobs?

So there's the long-winded question.

[Durbkat]

What I'd do is to take him out to the spot you wish for him to go and toss the poop in the area as well so that he gets the idea or go out with him and pick the poop up so you don't have to worry about it.

[ThassaGoodBoy!]

There is no going " .... outside with him...." as he lives outside now and just goes when he needs to now. I don't mind picking it up _ that's what I am doing now. But I thought I would se if there is a way to train him to a certain area because of course, not having to pick it up would be nice if it is possible to train him to go elsewhere.

I'm certainly no dog expert but I have to believe that dogs, being more intelligent than some humans I know, can be trained to do almost anything provided the trainer knows how.

[Curbside Prophet]

You need to differentiate the rewards between an appropriate placed poo, and one that's not. Of course that means you have to be there to rewards the dog. Otherwise, he will choose wherever, and a walking path is just as good as any other. So, you'll have to show your dog where you prefer he eliminate. And when he does, praise him lavishly and give him a food reward.

It may sound silly, but I'd set up a target. Paint some rocks and layout enlarging circles. If he eliminates in the outer ring, maybe he gets just a "good dog". If he eliminates in the middle rings, maybe he gets a "good boy" and a belly rub. But, if he eliminates in the target, he gets the song and dance, and game of tug, or whatever else he enjoys.

[shewolf4]

Yes there is a way- it takes about 8 weeks and you might like to consider a few things. First off- you want to walk the pup on a leash to this area you want them to go in. Then give a "cue" word- like "busy-busy" and praise praise praise when they go on request- might even want to give a small treat. Dont walk around too much- I usualy stand still, if the dog gets bored I take a few steps and it goes back and forth- otherwise they get too busy sniffing around and forget to do their business. If they dont do it and you have to go back to the house, back in the crate and wait about 3o minutes, then try again- they get the hang pretty quick. You want to double your "cuewords" so you will not stand there one day telling someone you're busy and the dog goes. I also like for them to be able to go on the leash since you never know when you need them to empty and if they're not used to do it on cue, on the leash and then get nervous- they will empty ALL in the worst place
When I worked with service dogs they had to be able to go on request by age 6 month and they all did. Dont get frustrated, take your time and relax- the reward is great

[fuzzie]

Another way would be to teach him a "potty command", and every time he looks like he's about to eliminate, say chosen command, (ie. "go potty") and reward. after he seems to know the command, take him to the chosen place and command/ reward. or combine CP's method with the potty command.

eta- sorry shewolf, your post wasn't there when I started

[wvasko]

I got to ask this, if these dogs live full time outside. Is your property fenced? Why go through the trouble of having dogs? I understand guard/watch dogs but I would have got something with a tad more beef to guard property. Just curious.