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Toilet training a free running dog.
E-mail received at dog fun on 09/07/01.

Dear Jade,
I was wondering if you would have any advise suggestions for toilet training a 1 year old boxer. At the moment he is outside all day- on a unfenced property and he has been using our neighbours place as a toilet for pooing. Which from my neighbours account has become TOO much as he goes nearly 3 times a day. The neighbours place is pal like with lots of grass etc....

I cannot afford to put up a fence on a rental property and the surrounds (an island) are too lovely to fence him in all day. He is a lovely natured dog that just goes for a run by himself everyday. He spends most of the time sleeping on his bed on the verandah. I am getting the front yard completely cleared so that it is attractive for him - instead of bush.

Do you have any hints for me . It is very difficult as I work all day to do the obvious dog lead trick around our place. Are there any products that have a scent to attract him? Or any other ideas?

Many thanks Katy

Jade's reply.

Dear Katy,
Thank you for your e-mail about your Boxer. You have a problem as your dog is not just relieving himself but also marking his territory as he relieves himself. This is very noticeable in a confined garden, nine times out of ten dogs will relieve themselves on the edges of the garden as this is the border of its territory and typically will establish favourite toilet areas. Your problem is that your dog believes that his territory includes your neighbours property (with all of its strange smells) and explaining to your dog that this is not part of the area to be marked will be difficult.

As it sounds as though the properties will remain open and your dog will be able to access your neighbours land I would suggest that you focus on what you will be able to achieve and not what you will find very difficult to achieve. For a start don't work on trying to stop your dog from relieving himself on your neighbours property, instead work on making your dog relieve himself under your command. Once you get to this point you will be able to make your dog relieve himself before you go to work, and in areas of your choice. As time passes if your dog is caught short during the day hopefully he will be more inclined to return to the regular toilet area that you have chosen.

As you will know dogs most want to relieve themselves after sleeping, meals or exercise. You can use this to your advantage as these times will be the best times to train your dog. You should be aiming to get your dog into a routine like, eating then walking outside with you and relieving himself on the command 'go to toilet' or 'be quick'. If you can establish some consistent routines you will at least be able to control most of the times that he goes to the toilet (say two out of three) and prove to your neighbour that you are doing the best that you can.

Feed your dog then walk outside with it, stick with it until it starts to do its business and then start to use your chosen command all the time that it is going to the toilet, 'be quick, good boy, be quick, that's it, be quick'. Reward your dog when it has finished and show it that you are pleased that it has been in front of you even if this happens to be on your neighbours land (you will be able to clear it up). Work on this and over time it will learn that 'be quick' means go to the toilet, you can then direct your dog to the area of your choice and ask it to go to the toilet 'be quick'.

Never scold your dog about going in the wrong area, this will upset your dog and he will be more inclined to go to the toilet when you are not around to avoid upsetting you and this will make training him all the more difficult. Remember that your dog will only want to please you and if you make it clear to him what you want and that doing this will bring him rewards like fuss or treats you will find that over time he will understand and change his behaviour.

This plan is not a quick fix but I hope that it will help. The key to all of this is communication with both your dog and also your neighbour and I hope that you get everything worked out. Lots of luck to you and your Boxer.

All the best, Jade the Doberman


As with the rest of Dog Fun we are only offering advice, we have learned a lot through our own experience and would like to further that knowledge with your help. If you have any good tips or advice that would help dog owners drop us a line to jade@dogfun.co.uk and we will display your advice and give you credit for your help!

 
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