training to poop in same area

[sedgwick]

Our two small dogs have had the run of our backyard this winter but I want to train them to go in a pen of some sort. Anybody have success or tips they could share with me?

[lv4dogs]

Welcome!

Do you mean you want them to go in a pen that is inside the back yard while still having access to the whole yeard? Or will they be strictly confined to the small pen?

[sedgwick]

I'd like to build a pen inside the backyard along one edge maybe, where they could easily go in and out.

[mruffruff]

Sounds like a good idea. I have often wished mine would "cover" less ground.

The only way to retrain them would to be there with them on a leash every time you take them out to potty. They would have to understand that this area is for this purpose. If you don't praise like crazy as soon as they do what they're out there for, they won't get the message. Once they potty, you can let them off leash to play. If you just put them in a pen and leave, the message is lost. This means EVERY time.

Eventually they will be able to be sent into the yard and they will go where they should. But it won't be immediate.

Mine have access to the yard all day while I'm at work (doggy door) so I would have to close off the door and retrain 3 old dogs of 12, 13 & 8. Not gonna happen here.

Good luck.

Mary

[carrie]

This is easier to achieve than first appears - especially if you can fence an area off.
To begin with the dogs are allowed only in this area until they have toileted. You will have to monitor this for some time and it is really effective if you attach a word to the action - I use, "Busy busy." But you could spend many fun hours deciding on your own phrase. Please remember that there may be times you will have to say this phrase in front of guests or in public before making your final choice!!! So as soon as you put the dogs into the fenced area you say, "Busy busy," or whatever appropriate (hopefully) phrase you have chosen. The dogs, of course have no idea what you are implying and your neighbours will be sniggering behind the hedges...
You continue to say your chosen phrase until one of the dog performs at which point you lose the plot totally and go mad squealing, "Good boy/girl (delete as appropriate), busy girl/boy, busy busy girl/boy!" (Your neighbours will have invited their friends around by now.)
You let the dog that has been "busy" out of the fenced area with lots of praise and possibly a treat and continue to encourage the other one to perform.
Only allow ten minutes maximum for toileting, if it doesn't happen then dogs go back inside without any free run of the garden and no walk or car trip.
Keep to your usual schedule of toilet breaks - and also use the fenced area before walks and car trips.
If there are mistakes out of the fenced area still praise the dog using the chosen phrase to reinforce the praise with the action.
Small note - when waiting for dogs to perform try to avoid prolonged staring or eye contact and try to pick up a pattern in what time of day they need to poop so that you can use the fenced in area to greater effect - only put them there if you know they are due one!!!!
By the time the dogs are trained you will either have neighbours that avoid you with worried expressions on their faces or you will get invited to every party in the district for novelty value!!!

[lv4dogs]

You have received some great training tips.
I would like to add one.
When you first start out place a pile or 2 or 3 of feces from each dog in their potty area. They will smell that there scent is already there & will see that it got moved which should make them think more so that that is the proper area to eliminate themselves in. This should encourage them to go at first.

I use "go potty" for my potty phrase.
It is especially helpful too when traveling as you teach your dogs to go on command. And it comes in handy if for some reason you ever need to get a fecal or urine sample for your vet.

[sedgwick]

Thank you all very much for the advice.
I'm looking forward to the warmer weather to start right in.

[Summer Magic]

I have a fully enclosed side yard that Magic uses for play and potty but like you, I don't want to step in the stuff when I go in the yard or search out each individual pile. I've set up an area that's 10'X10' with 18" garden fencing with a section removed for entry. Magic uses this area for potty and the rest of the yard for play. It took me about three weeks to teach her that she must potty in that space. It sure makes clean up easier and we are free to play in the rest of the yard!

[Rachel]

Oh Magic, you are one smart pupper (and a beauty as well).