[lclap]

Hi,
So I recently moved into an townhouse with my mini weenie. He has always had a yard to go potty in so the adjustment to leash walking for potty reasons is hard. He believes walks are for fun and not to do his business. I started at first leaving him home alone with just the upstairs blocked off. I would come back to the house multiple times a day to walk him with no luck. He will not use the bathroom outside on the leash. He began pooping/peeing in my basement which Im grateful for that its not in my house, but I just want him to go potty outside bc I can not clean up messes for the entirety of living in the townhouse. At this point, It had been a week of going to the walking every3/4 hours, after naps, after eating, him still refusing to use the bathroom outside and going in my basement after I would leave the house again. He had peed once on the leash during this week to which I gave him a treat and praise hoping to make its good habit. After the one successful time, he still refuses to use the bathroom outside.
So now, I am putting him in the crate. He goes in the crate when I leave the house but I make sure I return to walk him every 3/4 hours. He does not mess in his crate but has still not pottied outside!! This is day 2 now of nothing, no pee or poop. Im beginning to worry for his health reasons. Its super stressful and I'm at my whits end. I do not want to get rid of him so please don't offer that as a suggestion. I just need some help bc I do not want him being comfortable with using ym basement as a restroom but I am starting to worry that he has not peed or pooped in 48 hours.

 

[BKaymuttleycrew]

Instead of walking on a regular leash, could you put a very lightweight long-line on him, then just stand around outside being 'boring' while letting him sniff, wander, etc... which would be more like what he would do in a yard? Definitely super yummy treats for each & every successful outdoor trip. If he does potty indoors again, maybe mop some up on a paper towel & bring it outside with you & put it where he should be going? Might help him get the idea? Good luck!

 

[Lillith]

You basically have to wait him out...he can't hold it forever. The crate is a good idea to keep him from going potty in the wrong place. Try going outside on the leash, finding nice grassy spot, and just standing there being boring. You can even bring a lawn chair and a book if you want! Wait him out. As soon as he goes potty, praise, treat, and then go for a fun walk. Fun doesn't happen until he goes potty!

Cleaning up some of his mess and then placing it where you want him to go is also a good idea. Sometimes smelling it will entice them to go potty. You might also try bringing him to a place where you know other dogs have gone potty. Sometimes (especially male dogs, it seems) dogs want to mark where other dogs have gone.