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Post by Summer Magic on May 31, 2006 7:11:26 GMT -5
Hi You'll remember Magic and her issues. Well they are coming along nicely. The problem I have with her now is she hates to be outside alone without my being there. In Florida I take her on a leash to go potty but at home in Michigan she has a fine fenced side yard to do her business in. The problem is she wants me to stand out there with her or she won't go. I've left her out on her own and she just stands at the door and barks. I have no neighbors that are here during the week (mostly on weekends) so I don't feel as tho I'm disturbing the neighborhood by letting her bark and I do leave her alone out there for hours. But she keeps up the constant barking and from all evidence hasn't gone potty. As soon as I step out of the door she jumps off the deck and does her potty and then wants to come in the house. I don't let her come in unless she stops barking but that could be all day. Am I on the right track here? She has fresh water on the deck and a place to get out of the sun if she wants.
Judy
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Post by sibemom on May 31, 2006 8:22:21 GMT -5
When you first put her outside can you stand there for awhile and tell her "GO POTTY?" and then when she does just come back in the house? This is just a conditioning issue, with a bit of anxiety mixed in. See for me it's the oppisite, my dogs have a hard time going potty on leash becasue they are so use to just going out in the kennel in the morning Makes it nice for our walks because I don't have to pick up any POO
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Post by Summer Magic on May 31, 2006 9:16:18 GMT -5
I can stand out there for as long as she needs to go so that's not a problem. I just want her to enjoy being outside without having to have me be there with her. The barking doesn't bother me, I can tune it out. So I should stay with her and let her potty and then come in and let her stay outside till she quiets down?
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Post by Nicole on May 31, 2006 9:25:08 GMT -5
As beautiful and fun as you may think the yard space is, the truth is that dogs do not like to be outside alone. I have a dog door. Sunny can go out whenever he wants. But he goes out to potty and is back inside immediately. He NEVER goes out just to hang out EVER if he isn't pottying..not even for a few minutes, unless I am outside too. then he will stay outside as long as I am out there. Remember they are pack animals and want to be where you are.
So if you want her to stay outside and get used to it then yes you must not respond or let her in unless she is quiet. She must learn that no amount of barking will get her inside and that she comes inside only when she is not barking. It is like crate training.
My next door neighbors dog HATES to be outside for even one minute alone. She barks and barks and they let her in when she is barking so she always barks but thankfully they only let it go on for a few minutes.
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