What's new
Mastiff Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Welcome back!

    We decided to spruce things up and fix some things under the hood. If you notice any issues, feel free to contact us as we're sure there are a few things here or there that we might have missed in our upgrade.

House training problem...sort of

L Meaux

Active Member
My CC female is about 15 months old. She is very well house trained...in the house. She is crate trained and barring an issue like upset tummy, she doesn't go in the crate or house. She even signals that she needs to go out by hitting the door knob with her nose.

However, if we go anywhere inside other than home, she will poop 9/10 inside the building. It doesn't matter where: pet stores, my husband's shop, etc.

What can I do to train this out of her?!? Yes I always give her the opportunity to potty before going inside anywhere. My husband will let her out at the shop, she will potty then come inside and do it again.
Help!

Thanks
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
My CC female is about 15 months old. She is very well house trained...in the house. She is crate trained and barring an issue like upset tummy, she doesn't go in the crate or house. She even signals that she needs to go out by hitting the door knob with her nose.

However, if we go anywhere inside other than home, she will poop 9/10 inside the building. It doesn't matter where: pet stores, my husband's shop, etc.

What can I do to train this out of her?!? Yes I always give her the opportunity to potty before going inside anywhere. My husband will let her out at the shop, she will potty then come inside and do it again.
Help!

Thanks
Do you think she might be doing it out of fear of different places?
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
My CC female is about 15 months old. She is very well house trained...in the house. She is crate trained and barring an issue like upset tummy, she doesn't go in the crate or house. She even signals that she needs to go out by hitting the door knob with her nose.

However, if we go anywhere inside other than home, she will poop 9/10 inside the building. It doesn't matter where: pet stores, my husband's shop, etc.

What can I do to train this out of her?!? Yes I always give her the opportunity to potty before going inside anywhere. My husband will let her out at the shop, she will potty then come inside and do it again.
Help!

Thanks

I would approach it the same way as I house train in the house. The dog is never allowed off leash and you keep a close eye. The second you notice anything that could signal a need to potty you run outside with the dog. Then when the dog is pottying outside you do the happy dance and get really excited and congratulatory and really show her how happy you are that she went potty outside. Make potty outside a big party every time.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I'm late to this, but I agree with Nik. Dogs don't generalize well, so the fact that she's trained in your house won't necessarily transfer to other places. Some dogs have a harder time with that than others. I'd go back to basics at each place until she gets it.
 

Steven C

Well-Known Member
My CC female is about 15 months old. She is very well house trained...in the house. She is crate trained and barring an issue like upset tummy, she doesn't go in the crate or house. She even signals that she needs to go out by hitting the door knob with her nose.

However, if we go anywhere inside other than home, she will poop 9/10 inside the building. It doesn't matter where: pet stores, my husband's shop, etc.

What can I do to train this out of her?!? Yes I always give her the opportunity to potty before going inside anywhere. My husband will let her out at the shop, she will potty then come inside and do it again.
Help!

Thanks

Funny my DDB did this also and my CC does not do this at all. We would go into Petco and the DDB would deficate and or pee in the store. My daughter would get so embarrassed, even though I would clean it right away. I don't want to start an entire posting on that I believe it is a dominant or disrespectful thing because I do.

I would make sure to take him to a patch of grass first before entering to try and get him to completely drain, but my DDB would actually hold his pee to be able to make 10 pees and effectively mark the place in a dominant move and boy did his pee stink like a lion pee.

We eventually had to stop taking him into stores like that. He did it at the vets office also and yes fully trained at the house.
 

Steven C

Well-Known Member
My CC female is about 15 months old. She is very well house trained...in the house. She is crate trained and barring an issue like upset tummy, she doesn't go in the crate or house. She even signals that she needs to go out by hitting the door knob with her nose.

However, if we go anywhere inside other than home, she will poop 9/10 inside the building. It doesn't matter where: pet stores, my husband's shop, etc.

What can I do to train this out of her?!? Yes I always give her the opportunity to potty before going inside anywhere. My husband will let her out at the shop, she will potty then come inside and do it again.
Help!

Thanks
Is she spayed?
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
In the beginning, every new place needs a reminder that "inside" means "no potty"...

Since we have a "potty" word... we stop at the nearest patch of dirt on the way in, and I'll give the "go potty" command... then inside, if she starts sniffing or squatting, a big "NO" - and then outside with a "go potty" reminder.

If this is a place you go a lot - you mention your husband's shop - feed her dinner there. Instincts tell dogs they shouldn't 'mess' their den or where they eat.
You could just put a trail of treats down in front of her as you go through buildings... keep her mind on treats instead of where to mark next... see if that helps disconnect her thought process.

Denna was spayed at 10 months (we waited as long as we could, but... life intervened)... she marks. Not everywhere, but out on walks, she'll sniff a spot incessantly, and I'll try to drag her away - but she won't leave until she leaves a little puddle on that spot. She can't hit poles like the boys, but sometimes she leaves a little drip next to them. Not all poles, and nowhere inside, to date (which makes me happy), but certain spots need to know she was there, apparently. Silly girl.
 

L Meaux

Active Member
She is spayed. I'm not sure how old she was when it was done. I adopted her at 10 months old and it was already done.

She does Mark and has become quite adept at backing up to poles/posts, lifting her leg and tinkling. She has a big brother that lifts his leg on everything so I think she learned it from him.

I do always take her to a grass patch before going in anywhere. Doesn't seem to matter when we go places like petco, she poops inside anyway.

At the shop, she goes out and will do her business. Both ways. Then come back in and within 15 minutes goes on the floor.
 

Pastor Dave

Well-Known Member
We blocked our dog in the kitchen for 3 days or so....and it turned out, and I don't know how, he was completely house broken whether we are home or away. Done deal.
 

LuesPinazo

Member
To train your dog to come when called, start on leash in a quiet area. Back away from your dog while enthusiastically telling hi to come. Only give the command once, but be enthusiastic, and keep your body language relaxed and open. You can show your dog a treat to encourage him to head your way. Once he starts towards you, say yes and reward him with a treat. Have a look at some airtcle online. https://www.niftywoof.com/basic-dog-training/
 

CeeCee

Well-Known Member
She is spayed. I'm not sure how old she was when it was done. I adopted her at 10 months old and it was already done.

She does Mark and has become quite adept at backing up to poles/posts, lifting her leg and tinkling. She has a big brother that lifts his leg on everything so I think she learned it from him.

I do always take her to a grass patch before going in anywhere. Doesn't seem to matter when we go places like petco, she poops inside anyway.

At the shop, she goes out and will do her business. Both ways. Then come back in and within 15 minutes goes on the floor.

Great thought brought up by Steven! Given your response, I would not let her practice this behavior outside. I'm betting if you stop the behavior outside, it will transfer to inside.

I've seen a TON of shelter dogs backup and poop on trees, hay bales, etc. I think the key is gonna be to recognize the signal(s) that this is what they are about to do, interrupt it, offer an alternative behavior and/or reward for stopping. (Just to confirm, I'm only talking about the backing up on things to defecate, high leg lifting etc.)

Also, look for times when she's indoors and chooses NOT to defecate. Reward and praise those like there is no tomorrow! If she is motivated by praise, I think this will have a huge impact. :)