Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 10/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a question.  We just adopted a dog last July.  How can we train our dog to made inside even when the weather gets bad and won't be able to walk him out to made.. Any idea?  Since he was already trained from other owner and not sure what they taught him.. Thanks..

ANSWER: If your dog is eliminating outdoors consistently and refusing to eliminate indoors, he is housetrained.  Regardless of how that was obtained, it is part of his persistent behavior.  Attempting to retrain such a dog to indoor elimination will be very difficult, even if the dog is fairly young (under 18 months of age.)  A dog that is much older will experience response perseverance, meaning: he will refuse to eliminate indoors.  You don't mention the breed or size or age of this dog.  These facts would be helpful.

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QUESTION: He is a mixed Terrier Shih Tzu.  He loves to go around the block for a walk and he does made out there.. He doesn't tell us when he has to go out.. I had to ask him if he has to go out.. He doesn't give me an answer.. He's a good dog.. He doesn't like to go in the backyard which he has to .. The shelter think he is around 3 to 4 years old.

Answer
He doesn't "like to go in the backyard" means you need to get a dog's eye view of the backyard.  The dog's vision is not as acute as ours and there are things that don't bother us which might frighten a dog.  Wheelbarrows, planters, shovels and such left lying around, etc., can all put a dog off voluntarily going into that space.  Also, many dogs are accustomed to certain substrates on which to eliminate: some to concrete, others to grass.  This might be part of your problem.  Since your dog freely eliminates on leash during walks, do NOT take him on any walks for the next 2 to 3 weeks.  Instead, take him on leash to the backyard at regular intervals.  Praise lavishly when he eliminates and then toss him a special toy or a special treat.  If he's very playful, a toy (play training) with a few seconds of play time with you will be a huge reward.  Make note of successful outings.  Most adult dogs need to urinate every 4 to 5 hours (although of course they can hold it far longer, but not while you're training) and defecate at least once a day.  Anticipate his needs and give him ample opportunity to do his "business" in the backyard.  As for "asking" to go out, many dogs will NOT do this as it is a sign of great confidence, and many dogs do not obtain that level of confidence.  Hang a sleigh bell from the back door at a height the dog can reach.  YOU ring the bell every time you open the door to take him out to eliminate and when you ring it, say "Out".  The dog will build a strong association between the word "Out" and the door being opened and will also respond to the bell ringing.  Because you will be taking him OUT ONLY to eliminate right now, he will also build an association between his physical need, the word "Out" and the ringing bell.  After approximately 36 trials, he should respond to the ringing bell by coming to the door; he will also begin to respond to the word "Out", so asking him "Do you want to go out"? should get a wagging tail (at least.)  Eventually, he may learn to ring the bell himself.  Once you see that the dog does "get it" and does eliminate outdoors at every opportunity, you can begin to take him back out on the walks he loves.  And congratulations on being a caring human who has given a dog a second chance.