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E-mail
received at dog fun on 09/07/01.
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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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