How to Train a Golden Retriever to Poop Outside

Hello, Because pup is so young, they might be a couple weeks shy of having the bladder control needed to learn full potty training. I would probably start by setting up an exercise pen with a disposable real grass pad and non-absorbent bed, like www.primopads.com in a room pup won't be able to access later, like a bathroom. When you can't directly supervise pup and their bladder wasn't just emptied, I would provide safe toys in that area and have them spend time in there to get them used to using that grass surface. I would also begin getting pup used to the outside world with fun trips outside with you in areas where other dogs haven't been for disease safety reasons. If pup happens to go potty while out there, praise and reward. I would also begin getting pup used to a crate, so you can use that more in a couple of weeks. Check out the Surprise method from the article I have linked below. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate As pup gets closer to eight weeks of age, start working on the crate training method or a combination of the crate training method and the Tethering method to begin outside potty training and move away from that exercise pen and grass pad as soon as possible for the best possible outcome. Avoid the use of pee pads for a large dog who will be going potty outside later; the fabric of pee pads can confuse dogs with carpet and rugs later. Crate Training method and Tethering method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside This is all assuming that you already have pup at six weeks of age. If pup is six weeks now but won't be coming home for another couple of weeks with you, then you can go straight into crate training for potty training. Six weeks is earlier than most puppies are really ready to go to a new home, but sometimes breeders send them home early, a pup was abandoned by mom, or you may have the mother dog, either way just know that that's why there are some extra steps in your case :-) Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Feb. 6, 2023

Hello Macey, First, make sure that the crate doesn't have anything absorbent in it - including a soft bed or towel, otherwise that may be why pup is going potty in there. Check out www.primopads.com if you need a non-absorbent bed for him. Make sure the crate is only big enough for him to turn around, lie down and stand up, and not so big that he can potty in one end and stand in the opposite end to avoid it. Dogs have a natural desire to keep a confined space clean so it needs to be the right size to encourage that natural desire. Use a cleaner that contains enzymes to clean any previous or current accidents - only enzymes will remove the smell and remaining smells encourage the dog to potty in the same location again later. Pay attention to the frequency of potty trips. If pup is having to hold it too long between potty trips, pup will be forced to go potty in the crate, and the more that happens the less motivated they will be to hold it in there. If pup went potty well before crating them, they should be able to hold it for four hours though. If pup wasn't given enough potty trips when younger though (add one hour to how many months pup is old for the maximum amount of time a puppy can hold it for), then pup may have simply gotten into the habit of going potty in the crate. This could also be happening because pup is getting to distracted to go potty while outside. If you don't watch pup while they are outside to go potty, start watching pup to ensure they are actually going potty while out there. If you are still struggling after applying the above suggestions, then unfortunately pup may have already lost his desire to hold it while in a confined space. This commonly happens when someone accidentally teaches pup to do so by placing something like a puppy pad on one end of a larger crate or confining a puppy in cage where they are forced to pee through wired flooring - like at a pet store and some shelters. There are rare puppies who simply do it anyway, even though nothing happened to teach that. In those cases you can try feeding pup his meals in there to discourage it but most of the time you simply have to switch potty training methods until he is fully potty trained - at which point you might be able to use a crate for travel again later in life. 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 (pup will learn it's okay to potty in this room so choose accordingly). A guest bathroom, laundry room, or master closet with good ventilation are a few options. Don't set the exercise up in a main area of the house like the den or kitchen if you have other options. 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 pup to potty on grass outside - which is far less confusing than pee pads (Don't use pee pads if 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. When pup will hold his 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 he won't go into there looking to pee, and take him potty outside only. Since he may still chew longer even after potty training, when you leave him alone, be sure to leave him in a safe area that's been puppy proofed, like a cordoned off area of the kitchen with chew toys - until he is out of the destructive chewing phases too - which typically happens between 1-2 years for most dogs with the right training. 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. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 23, 2022