Cold weather pooping...

[Althea]

So my little 13 week old Suki has decided that it is much nicer to poop indoors in warmth, than outside in the cold. She does fine with peeing, but pooping is usually done inside. We stay outside with her, sometimes for 20 minutes or more, and we know she has to go! She dances and circles when she has to poo. And as soon as we get inside, she poops, even in her crate if we try to crate her. Ideas? It's 20 degrees here, and windy, so I understand her dislike, but I'm getting worried that this will be come a habit.

 

[jbbtlr]

Have you tried putting a coat on her? When we got Koda we had to do potty training in the cold and rain and it was NOT fun! Seemed to take a little longer cuz he also didn't like the cold. There were many nights with umbrellas and coats...

We started putting his coat on him when we were potty training, seemed to help.

Find a treat she really likes and reward her with a party outside when she goes. Maybe that is the only time she gets that special treat.

Good luck!

 

[maery]

My dog acts like our 63 deg. mornings are a blizzard - which of course there are to him because he's never known a lower temp and is used to 80s. He's been planting himself at the bottom of the steps after he's peed, even though it's our first morning potty and I know there's more coming. Today I gave in since I'm trying to get ready for work as well and he started going poop inside within a minute. I just watched him like a hawk knowing it would happen, put him on the pee pad (no luck, he just kept it in), and then took him outside quick again. Then he went.

The sweatshirt on him has really helped, though I'm not sure how many clothes will remedy your weather.

I'd also be interested in a solution but I'm not sure we'll hear anything beyond doggie clothes and time to get used to this weather. I woudln't want to go outside either!

Mary

 

[lmorey]

I'm in the same boat. June is now 15 weeks, and she does the same thing even if we put a coat on her. It's very frustrating to spend 15 minutes outside in the freezing cold, then come in and need to do something around the house and the second you turn your back...

 

[Althea]

LOL! At least I'm not alone. I keep thinking her sisters will guide her, but she is very independent. And she is, of course, the diva of the house, so what better things does lowly me have to do than to clean up after my princess?

 

[chipnjo]

I suppose that makes my boxer a total freak! She prefers to poo in the snow. She doesn't like mud, and will search for a patch of snow to put her feet in when she has to go. It's pretty funny. I actually will miss winter this year because of that.

But, stay the course. I am struggling with housebreaking, too, but in other areas. It will have to get better. For even remotely attentive and responsible owners, I have yet to hear of a case of a 4 year old dog that still refuses to go outside. You are on this forum, so I virtually guarantee you that you will get this under control.

 

[Althea]

The special treats are REALLY helping. Suki pees and immediately looks for her treat. We haven't gotten her to the pooping stage with treats yet, though. She tends to poop in her crate. Ugh. But when we can get her outside in time, she will go outside (we did break down and buy her a coat. She looks hysterical in it! I'm not sure it helps, but it does let her walk longer when I take her out for some exercise up and down the driveway.)

She so precious, and is such a boxer. I can live with some pooping.

 

[bawlinkids]

I found that with Bentley and now Remington, it really helps if when I take them out to poop to walk around with them. As puppies they will follow you and the walking seems to bring on the urge. Every time they go I say "good potty". Now all I have to do is say go potty and within a min. they go and we can come back inside. Just a thought.

 

[JeffDery]

idea...

hi,

this might help, when she goes inside, take the poo and put it out, where you want him/her to go. Next time he's out the smell of it will help big time.

Dax is 1½ years old and when I clean the poo outside it takes here a little longer than usual to go. When she was yonger, a little sniff at the poo made her do the buisines instantly.

sounds gross. but that is an observation...

 

[Sansal]

Sky (7 month) is really good with the housetraining but yesterday it was raining and cold so she refused to stay outside for longer than a few minutes. So we went back inside and I started to do some laundry and once I turned my back on her she pooped right on a pile of dirty laundry :( Well, I was gonna wash the stuff anyway.....