Trying to get dog to pee in specific area- have I done it wrong?

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Dog is 8 and has always peed/pooed on the grass but it is destroying the garden and it smells. I have fenced off a portion of the paved area today and am hoping to train him to toilet there so it’s easier to clean. Throughout the day I’ve been tossing a treat in the area so he associates it with happy feelings but he won’t toilet in it. He hasn’t gone for hours and keeps asking to go out so I bring him to the fenced zone and he just stands looking at me. I have treats in my pocket ready to give him when he does go. I think he can smell them and is waiting for one instead of just getting on with his toilet. Do I just keep bringing him out and hope for the best or do I need to do something differently?

I didn't think dogs like peeing on hard surfaces? Ours always went on grass.

Dew try aimed ours as a pup and so i expect it will be a lot harder for older dogs. Every time she weed we said weewee and put her in the same spot on the garden to wee. Then we added a bit of sand and carried on lifting her there mid wee and saying weewee and praising. The sand kept the scent so she went ther more often. We put poos there too for the scent before removing them. Did the same with saying in the spot. When she was pretty good at it, we created a specific bordered off sand area and carried on. She’s pretty reliable now and in fact it’s easier to pick up with tissue and put straight down the toilet so we tell her to go before we go out and she does.

Put a bit of turf in the new area you want him to use but after 8 years it will take time to make a new habit. Most dogs hate peeing on hard ground so you may need to rethink your area.

( it will smell more on the terrace than the lawn!)

Gah. I think i’ll Have to move my fence so it’s on the grass. He still hadn’t gone by this morning so I had to let him on the grass to go. I think at 8 I’ve left it too late to retrain.

Can't you just let him use part of the lawn and make sure you keep it well watered in dry spells?
My 2 large dogs always pee/poo on the same bit of grass, well away from where they play and sunbathe, and it doesn't smell.
We pick up poo as soon as they go, they're raw fed so only go once a day at the same time. They prefer to save up most of their weeing for walks.
In summer that part of the lawn gets a watering can full of water most days and grass is fine.

We've got a fenced off bit of lawn that the dogs use. It used to gave a gate, mainly to keep the kids out when they very little but doesn't any more.

We started when the dogs were about 6-7 months, it took a fair bit of persevering but it works well.

You can train older dogs but it will take time. I would definately have some if the area grassed though.

Yes i’ll move the fence so he has some grass to use. Poos are always picked up right away but it’s the pee that stinks. I had heard that a few drops of apple cider vinegar in the drinking water stopped the grass dying but I haven’t tried it. Does anyone know if that’s true?

Piece of AstroTurf on your patio/fenced area? It can be lifted and disinfected and thoroughly washed down easily

Ooh I wonder if that would work. Have you used that?

There is a supplement called grass saver which I’ve had some success with previously

Yes to the Astro turf - I found my dogs weren’t that picky between that and real grass. However it can get v hot so needs to be in a shady area or wetted before they walk on it

The part I’ve fenced is in shade all day long from just before 10am. I’ll give the AstroTurf a go and see how we get on. Thanks ineed