Can you tell me what we're doing wrong?

[cavia]

The answer might be that we're doing nothing wrong and just expecting too much but I'd appreciate any feedback.

Puppy is 14 weeks old and been with us for last 6. We have a dog trainer who is helping us but she's on holiday at the Mo and this isn't urgent so I don't want to bother her, but house training is going very badly. I've gone right back to basics and take him outside every 40 minutes and reward toileting outside. We go to a very boring part of thr garden (although everything seems interesting to puppies) and I don't engage until he goes when he gets a treat and lots of fuss and then he can explore and play.

Lately though, we can be outside for ages and he won't go, only to immediately toilet inside when we come in. I work from home and do a lot of client meetings so can't be outside with him all day and still a bit nervous to let him out alone in case he finds an escape route I can't see.

Finding it all a bit frustrating. I know he's still young but feels like we're going to live in a dog toilet forever

Forgot to say that when he is going in the house just after being outside he looks at you like "yeah, I know what I'm doing"

Are you using a crate? If so, when you come back in put him in the crate for 2-3 minutes and then take him back out. Repeat if necessary, and I wouldn't wait very long outside. The theory is that he realises that the options are (1) mess in his crate, or (2) do his business outside (and if he doesn't get very long outside, it should make him take the opportunity more quickly).
We had similar issues (can't remember at what age) and this is what our trainer recommended and it did work for ours.
Also, don't react when he pees/poops inside, it sounds like he's doing it for a reaction (hard to be internally annoyed, though - I remember it well!)
Hang on in there, he will get it (although along with most elements of training, they often go backwards before they go forwards).

Definitely up for giving that a try, thank you!

What breed is he OP?

A cavapoo

It’s really boring but you just need to wait for them to go and then praise

go for a walk around the garden if you need to.

I put a puppy pen thing in the garden and if was pee time not play time she went in there as was boring. As soon as she had peed she was free to get out for some fun.

14 weeks is very young, just keep on keeping on with what you're doing and you will eventually get there.

Only stay outside for a few mins-if he doesn’t do anything then bring him back in and keep him in your arms, on your lap or in a crate and try again in another 20 mins or so.
low key praise when he performs outside then a quick play.

Take him out more often than every 40 minutes.
Keep him on the lead in the garden when he goes out for the toilet. Walk him around so that he sniffs which should then entice him to pee.
LOTS of praise and a very high value reward when he finishes going (but only when he finishes).
If he doesn't go, bring him back inside, keep him on a lead or tethered to you, and as soon as you see the signs of toileting (sniffing and circling), pick him up and take him straight back outside.