House training problem

[sitcks]

Hi all.

I'm trying to housetrain my puppy. He's about 11 weeks old.

When we go outside to toilet, he just lays there on the ground. I try to excite him to play, make the garden a positive space etc, and he just doesn't engage or half heartedly plays and then gives up and goes and lays by the door again, waiting to go inside.

Then once he's inside he gets hyper, wants to play.

When we are outside he just doesn't engage with my attempts to make it a nice space, and then just wants to play inside.

I'm really trying but feel like I'm getting nowhere. He just sits or lays by the door waiting to go in. Or he will start crying and pawing at the door. My attempts to stop this have been fruitless.

Any help?

Don’t engage him in play, just wander around slowly and aimlessly.

Your pup will eventually toilet, then you can go in.
This early stage of toilet training a dog is very slow and dull, but you’ll get there.

By all means play in the garden at play time, but he needs to learn it’s not all just playing or being indoors. Calm toileting is a thing too!

It might be that he needs some support to feel safe outside and currently feels safer inside. Our pup is older but still feels safer inside. He will hold on and try and wait till he’s back inside to go to the toilet. From what I’ve read online, the aim needs to make them feel safer and secure outside. It can take time for some pups.

Yep, this is what we did and we got nowhere with it. He would lay there with us wandering aimlessly for over an hour.

Then take the usual "go inside for 15 mins to have a break and try again" rubbish. As soon as he's inside he pees.

But how can I make it feel safer?

Can you feed him outside? Hide really smelly treats for him to find?
Take him out the front of the house on-lead to toilet if he’s not comfortable in the garden?

I will start feeding him outside, thank you for the advice.
As for treats we are on the 5th type. So far he has not enjoyed anything, hard, soft, pastes.
With the lead and harness he simply lays on the floor and refuses to move. Very stuck and confused 🫤

He sounds like a very scared dog.
Have you tried hot dogs cut into tiny pieces? Boiled chicken? Salmon flakes?

Sounds like the outdoors is very new to him. Did you see him in a home environment with a garden a few times before picking him up?

Take it very slow and steady.

Sit outside with him on your lap to reassure him, feed him treats from there if he’ll take them.

He sounds incredibly anxious bless him.

Did he come from a reputable breeder who'd started the socialisation process for you?

It's normal for puppies to be a bit nervous but not to the extent that they won't explore their own backyards after several weeks.

Thanks for the treat advice, I've only tried dog treats so far but the hot dogs sound like an amazing idea. I'll get some and try them.

I got him from a breeder, however I didn't get to see him in the garden. I saw him at home with his parents and he's been fine, he's actually a very happy and fun puppy, it's just the outdoors he's so scared of, I'm thinking he wasn't let outside at all by the breeder.

Agreed. But he's only anxious outside. Inside, very confident and happy.
I got him from someone who breeds for a hobby, saw the litter with both parents. However didn't see them in the garden, I believe they must not have had a chance to go out in the garden previously.
I've only had him for about a week actually, so it is still early days, I'm just worried for him.

Lots of positive association is needed then - feed him in the garden, carry him around outside (everywhere, not just in the garden) to get him as much exposure as possible before the socialisation window closes.

Thank you, I'll get right on this!

What's your house set up? Is there the option to have say the back door open all the time so he can come or go as he pleases?

I foster for a rescue and almost none of them are house trained - well more than half of them sort it out for themselves as the back doors are always open.

I don't use dog treats... waste of money! Most dogs can't resist roast chicken, cheese, cocktail sausages, normal sausages - anything smelly.

You could give him peanut butter/yoghurt/pate on a licky mat outside as well as feeding him.

Try scattering whatever treat food (once you work it out) he likes round the garden so he has fun hunting it out.

Do you know anyone with a confident older dog that can come round and play in the garden.

A lot of my fosters are very nervous about outside but relax when my bouncing friendly lab is about - they follow her out.

A happy dog and treats everywhere all over the garden means they will hunt them out together.

Feed by scattering over the grass rather than in a bowl and have peanut butter stuffed kongs/pigs ears/proper bones from the butcher or pet shop out there.

I won't even wander aimlessly about. I'd just sit there too! Or do jobs in the garden - whatever, take the Rosie off the puppy. Do it while the weather is still warm!

Focus!

Thank you so much for your response. I agree, I'll ditch the dog treats.

Yes we have the back door open at all times, it's a large sliding patio style door. Pooch goes up to the door and flops half over the threshold and likes to watch the outside. Clearly curious, simply scared. I will scatter some tasty food out there to build the confidence, he does love food and is very food motivated.

Trying!!😂

Liver pâté is usually irresistible

Look up ‘shaping’ and also ‘free work’. Both these things help build confidence. Start in the house, then move to doing them in the garden

Thank you!

I'll look into these, thank you!

There is lots of advice online about how to make your dog feel safe in new situations. Might be worth taking it right back to basics. Your vet will be able to direct you to a good behaviourist if you feel your pup needs some additional 1-2-1 advice.

Cheese is another tempting treat you can try. Scatter some around and let him find it at his own pace.

Also, it’s only been a week. It may just take him time, and the weather has been exceptionally hot. He may be more active when it’s cooler.

You do realise you’ve broken a cardinal sin? Ie. No photo of said cute puppy!

Thanks for the advice!
Sorry!!! I'll add a photo!!!

Cute and fluffy.

Just be careful giving too many rich treats like cheese - the dog will probably love them but his stomach may not