[jpm77]

Hi Everyone -

I'm looking for advice on how to retrain my dog to not potty where he has been allowed to in the past...

I've had my dog, Champ, for nearly a year. He is about 1 yr 8 mos old.

I live in a city townhouse, so my backyard is about 15' x 15' and is completely covered with decking. In warm weather, Champ likes to lay out in the yard and sun himself. And sometimes he'll pee/poop on the deck if he feels the need, which has been allowed. Also, on cold or rainy nights/mornings we've definitely wimped out and sent him to the yard to do his business rather than taking him on a potty walk.

Our deck was in pretty poor shape, so it has in the past been a place he has been allowed to pee/poop.

Now, we are replacing our deck with new boards, and would like to retrain him to use only a certain spot in the yard when he has to go. (Like near the opening for the yard drain, or on the other side of the air conditioner which is somewhat out of view.) Basically, now that we've spent all this money for new wood, we just don't want the whole thing to be his toilet.

We got half of the new decking done last weekend, and we are finishing up the rest of it today. All week, he has been only going on the unfinished portion. He seems to sense already on his own that he shouldn't pee or poop on the new deck.

How do I foster that into retraining him to use only a specific spot?

And, do you think it would be helpful to use some sort of potty-pan or faux grass system to help make it very clear to him?

 

[MissMutt]

You could fence off (maybe with just a low decorative fence) a small section of the yard and whisk him out there every time he's got to go. Put a pee post in there (you can get it at Petsmart) and if you're really ambitious, maybe some of his poop. Keep him in there until he does his business, reward him and then let him into the rest of the yard.

Training him to go on command would help with this situation too.

 

[FourIsCompany]

I think I'd try some scented puppy training pads in the area. I had never heard of the pee post before! Great idea! I'm going to get one because we're rocking our yard and making a "potty area" in the corner.

 

[MissMutt]

I'd assume the Pee Post would work well with dogs who like to mark, as it is pheramone (sp) based I believe.

 

[jpm77]

I would be motivated enough to put some of his own poop in the new potty-area...too bad today was trash collection day!

 

[MissMutt]

Well the bright side is you'll have a new poop today. LOL

 

[jpm77]

Well the bright side is you'll have a new poop today. LOL

Very true. Nothing in life is guaranteed...except that!

 

[Sunshyne]

I don't have much advice, but I kinda had the same thing happen here. I knew I was replacing my deck, I got Chloe in the dead of winter, and I also do not have a fenced in yard. So I would let her potty there sometimes, no big deal.

I had my deck totally torn down and replaced last August. She still goes out there to sunbathe but she has never again pottied on it. I was worried about teaching it out of her (I know, my fault for even letting her do it), but she just knew it was different and hasn't attempted it.

I know some people (from a pug forum) that do use a patch of grass inside a wooden enclosure on their decks for elderly and or handicapped dogs and it works for them.

Good luck!