How to Train Your Rescue Dog to Pee Outside

Hello, First, for the dog who is scared, it's likely due to the lack of socialization. I recommend spending intentional time outside with that dog times other than when you need to take them potty. Take a book out and simply relax out there for 30-60 minutes with her on a 6 to 20 foot leash. If she will play with a toy or take treats, practice tricks with treats, play games with treats, play with a toy, or give her a toy like a kong wobble, puzzle toy, or dog food stuffed kong - pay attention to what she likes and do those fun things she is interested in while relaxing outside If she won't eat or play yet, that's okay, that's due to stress, just start by resting outside with her and letting her take things in and get used to it. As she relaxes, you can try adding some of those fun things when she is open to them. Do this as often as you can, everyday if you can make the time. For the potty training, check out the Tethering method from the article linked below. Whenever you are home use the Tethering method. Also, set up an exercise pen in a room that you can close off access to later on (pups will learn it's okay to potty in this room so choose accordingly). A guest bathroom, laundry room, or enclosed balcony - once weather is a safe temperature are a few options. Don't set the exercise up in a main area of the house like the den or kitchen. Tethering method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Use the Exercise Pen method from the article linked below, and instead of a litter box like the article mentions, use a real grass pad to stay consistent with teaching pups to potty on grass outside - which is far less confusing than pee pads (Don't use pee pads since it sounds like the end goal is pottying outside). Since your goal is pottying outside only use the Exercise Pen at night and when you are not home, or have some of the dogs stay in the pen while others are tethered to you if it's too hard to tether all of them to you. When pup will hold her bladder while in the rest of the house consistently and can hold it for as long as you are gone for during the day and overnight, then remove the exercise pen and grass pad completely, close off access to the room that the pen was in so they won't go into there looking to pee, and take them potty outside only. If they are still chewing on things they shouldn't even after potty training, when you leave them alone, be sure to leave them in a safe area that's been dog proofed, like a cordoned off area of the kitchen with chew toys - until they are out of the destructive chewing phases too - which typically happens between 1-2 years for most dogs with the right training, but might take a little longer for these guys if the lack of socialization with a home is contributing to chewing for them also. Exercise Pen method: https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy Real grass pad brands - Also found on Amazon www.freshpatch.com www.doggielawn.com You can also make your own out of a piece of grass sod cut up and a large, shallow plastic storage container. If any of the dogs are marking for smell also, I would use a belly band on that dog while in the home and not in the exercise pen, being sure to take it off when they are taken potty outside or to the grass pad. You will probably also need to cover the exercise pen floor with multiple grass pads at first, then transition to grass pads and a non- absorbent bed like www.primopads.com, then gradually remove the extra grass pads one by one as they are successfully using them to go potty. Whenever you catch the going potty on the grass pad or outside, give a treat. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Oct. 31, 2022

Hello, Unfortunately in situations like these the crate is often never a good means of potty training. I recommend following the Tethering method from the article I have linked below. When you need to leave pup for longer than you know pup will hold it for or you simply can't leave pup free because of chewing risks and you aren't able to use a crate (which would normally encourage pup to hold it), then I would have an exercise pen set up in a room that can later be closed off (in case pup learns to go potty in this room), and place a large disposable grass pad in the exercise pen, along with a non-absorbent dog bed, removing all mats and rugs. Choose a small room without carpet that pup would be okay not to be allowed in long term later, like a bathroom or guest bathroom. When you can't tether pup to yourself for potty training or need to leave the home, pup can stay in that exercise pen with the grass pad, non-absorbent bed, and a dog food stuffed chew toy for entertainment. Tethering method for potty training: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Disposable grass pad brands - also can be ordered on Amazon. www.freshpatch.com www.porchpotty.com www.doggielawn.com Surprise method for getting pup used to being confined in the exercise pen alone - this method mentions crating pup, but follow the steps with pup in the pen instead of a crate, avoiding the use of a crate. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Non-absorbent bed options: www.primopads.com https://k9ballistics.com/collections/crate-pads Or a cot type bed Once pup has been consistently potty trained for a few months you may be able to introduce the crate again for future travel, but I wouldn't plan to use it during the training process. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

July 25, 2022