Expert: Delores Beck - 8/3/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi there, I have a female 13 week old Cocker who will not pee or poop on walks.  I have taken her on 30 minute plus walks at key times of toileting (ie first thing in the am) and she holds it till she gets home.

The thing is, I know she can hold it for long periods of time as she is dry at night (crated)  But in the day (or when left un-crated) she has to go every couple of hours.

Is there anything I can do to encourage her to potty during walks?

PS I have been saying the words "go potty" to get her to toilet and this works at home but when I say it on walks she just looks at me and whimpers... Am I doing something wrong? I walk her on fields, roads and beaches - all well used by other dogs who she is picking up their toilet scent.  Thanks.

ANSWER: At 13 weeks they have little bladder control so you have to take them out every few hours.
And the trick is...use your command when you see they're about to go (or thinking about it) and then over the top praise and a reward. (cookie)

She's got to associate the whole thing.  She goes - huge praise and a treat!

Be patient.  She's a baby.  Never "put" her out - take her.  Of course she has to go every few hours...just like a human baby.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Delores,

I always treat and make a fuss.  Plus I always take treats with me when going on a walk.

The question is, how do I know when she's thinking about doing her business?  she never "looks" like she's about to go even when she finds another dog's mess (usually left in fields) She just sniffs it for a bit and then walks away..... confused!!

Thanks

ANSWER: Are you saying she goes in the house?  Or will only go in your backyard?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm basically saying she wont toilet on walks.... she's clean all night when crated, and goes every 2ish hours in the day when un-crated outside at home.  But she wont toilet when we go on walks no matter what time or for how long we go for.  What am I doing wrong?

Answer
You're not doing anything wrong.  If she's this housebroken at her age, you've been doing everything right :).

Just relax - be patient and one day she'll just start to go on her walks.  She's obviously decided just where she likes to go for the moment.  And it's great that she gets a lot of exercise!