Dogs won't go to the loo in the garden!

[extremepie]

Ok, just a quick one but I have just spent aaaaages fixing up my garden, put down some turf to make a lawn and so on.

There is a 'patio' bit just as you come out the door which has been left as a designated 'dog toilet' area but the dogs are so used to just running out the door and going wherever they want they are a bit freaked out my the change!

I can't let them go on the grass until it is settled and even then I don't want them peeing and pooing on the new lawn!

Problem is neither of them will go to the toilet now, bless them! They must be full to bursting but they just won't go!

Help! Suggestions?

Do you have a word you say when you want them to have a wee etc? If so, just keep saying this when you take them oiut, stand with them until they have done their toilet, praise and give them a treat.

Also, if you have any stones, sticks etc that they have wee'd on, put them on your paved area where you want them to go and try that. Whenever they do anything praise and reward so they know they are doing the right thing.

Can't think of anything else, hope they are not still bursting! :)

Are they more accustomed to toileting on grass? If so, buy a roll of turf and put it down on the area you want them to go in. Once they pee/poo there once they will be more likely to return to that spot. Gradually reduce the size of the piece of turf until you can remove it completely once they are reliably toileting in that area.

I agree with matter. Our dog will only go grass, which as we only have a patio garden means I have to take her for a quick jog round the block morning and evening. She has occasionally done a wee on the leaves at the edge of pavement, but she needs grass to poo on. Best try puttign some turf down.

Yep same here. Both our dogs need grass to circle on endlessly before they can go. The turf idea seems a good one

Same thing happened to me OP, I couldn't persuade my pup to go on patio. By the way, good luck with your lawn - we were thinking of laying some turf then they introduced the hose pipe ban where we live

Thanks for the advice :D

yesbut, we've had the same thing in our area but fortunately the horrible weather has done the watering for us and 4 days on its looking ok!

Our dogs are definately not used to going on the grass as we have never had grass before, just a big mud patch but they are still extremely reluctant to go outside at all!

I think I may have to try the turf idea as they seem to prefer grass to concrete!