My puppy only poops in a playpen?

[IanAdvincula]

I'm in the process of crate training my puppy and he's been doing fairly well so far but I'm having an issue with the location he chooses to poop at. He pees 'around' the correct area where I want him to relieve himself (on the street/concrete next to the dirt area where I actually want him to go) but he rarely poops there. But when I place him in a play pen on my driveway he almost always poops immediately. Although the playpen is better than in his crate or inside the house, I still dont want him to get used to having to be in there just to relieve himself.

Is there a way to get him to learn to poop where he pees? Should I not praise him for pooping in the playpen even if it is still outdoors and somehwat 'correct'? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Ian

 

[TwoDogs]

Try standing in the place where you want him to poop for a longer time. If you know that it is the time when he probably has to poop just wait for it--it will come eventually. You can try walking him in small circles to get things moving but stay in the same area. When it finally happens, praise him a lot and give him some super good treats right away while he's still in that area.

Also, some pups don't feel comfortable pooping out in the open and some pups don't feel comfortable pooping close to or in front of people. He might be more apt to do his business if you can give him access to some scrubby plants or a more secluded area. Also try taking him out on a longer leash (as long as it is safe to do so). He might be more comfortable pooping if he can move a little further from you.

 

[IanAdvincula]

Try standing in the place where you want him to poop for a longer time. If you know that it is the time when he probably has to poop just wait for it--it will come eventually. You can try walking him in small circles to get things moving but stay in the same area. When it finally happens, praise him a lot and give him some super good treats right away while he's still in that area.

Also, some pups don't feel comfortable pooping out in the open and some pups don't feel comfortable pooping close to or in front of people. He might be more apt to do his business if you can give him access to some scrubby plants or a more secluded area. Also try taking him out on a longer leash (as long as it is safe to do so). He might be more comfortable pooping if he can move a little further from you.

Thanks for the reply. I've tried staying in the "correct" area for long periods of time, walking back and forth with no luck. I've given him a lot of slack in the leash as well, but he tends to just sit there staring at me when I try to let him sniff around. Its cute how he stares right at me so innocent, but I want him to poop!

What about the playpen? Should I stop putting him in there? As much I want to avoid using it, I also dont want him to go back into the house or into his crate without releiving himself first. Also, should I not praise him and/or scold him instead for pooping in the crate?