How to train a dog to go outside by himself

[basilboy7]

I would like to be able to open the door for him and watch him from just inside the door to make sure he goes… I just don't like to have to put on boots, jacket, warm pants come winter time... maybe that sounds whiney and maybe basenji's are just really different... but I do kind of envy the fact that my lab mutt will just wait by the door, we let her out.. she goes and then waits by the door until she's let in. I guess i'll see what I can do... but it's not a huge deal... I just assumed if they were house trained and people had backyards that they went out alone.. no? lol

[tlish]

suki goes outside on her own. it was after she had been potty trained for quite a few months before i trusted her to go out and actually go, and i'd watch from the window to be sure. there haven't been any issues with it since, and she now goes out on her own just fine. can you see if he goes if you put him out on his own? if so, for how long have you left him out?

[sharronhurlbut]

My b's don't like to "dirty" their backyard. So, we do 3 walks a day.

[basilboy7]

@tlish:

suki goes outside on her own. it was after she had been potty trained for quite a few months before i trusted her to go out and actually go, and i'd watch from the window to be sure. there haven't been any issues with it since, and she now goes out on her own just fine. can you see if he goes if you put him out on his own? if so, for how long have you left him out?

Well during the summer warm months he was put on a tie down in the backyard where he spent as much time as possible when I was home. He had some outdoor furniture he loved to bask on and his water dish and toys.. he was happy and didn't whine. But if I let him out without tying him down (which I want to be able to do now because our yard is now secure for him…he used to be able to slip under our chain link fence) then he just whines at the door and scratches at it... I don't know why this is and why he doesn't want to stay out there if he can be near the door... any ideas?

[tlish]

if you walk away from the door to where he can't see you, how long will he stay at the door? maybe if you wait a little while, he'll get bored and go check out the yard (maybe go out alone and hide some treats in the yard before you let him out there, so he'll be rewarded for wandering around and sniffing). at that point he'll probably sniff his 'spot' and go to the bathroom. hopefully.

[eeeefarm]

You might try teaching him an obedience "go out", and hope he will do his business on the way back after you release him. I used to put my current guy in the dog run and he would do a circle and come back to the gate, sometimes doing his business but often not. He has never been happy to stay out in the run alone, and he is a climber so I don't push it. Since he is now an off leash dog, I just boot him out the door and wait for him…....works for pee, for anything else I have to take him for a short run......in the field in summer, in the hay shed in winter......to do his business.

My previous Basenjis would stay out happily all day in nice weather, but they always had each other and/or my Border Collie for company.....

[sharronhurlbut]

You tie the dog out when your home? By himself? I guess I am asking why. If you do that when your home, why would he want to be outside as he is outside most of the time anyway?
Maybe I am misreading this, but my dogs are inside when I am home and only out on leashes to walk so, I just don't get it.

[basilboy7]

@sharronhurlbut:

You tie the dog out when your home? By himself? I guess I am asking why. If you do that when your home, why would he want to be outside as he is outside most of the time anyway?
Maybe I am misreading this, but my dogs are inside when I am home and only out on leashes to walk so, I just don't get it.

In the summer time my family spends a lot of time outside, along with my 13 year old lab mutt. So say if I was home on a Saturday the dogs would be outside in the backyard hanging out from maybe 12-3 or something like that… Often I would be outside reading or working out. He was outside for that time sometimes by himself because he loved it... He was only tied down because he was so small that he could crawl under our chain link fence... near the end of summer we put some wooden fencing to block under the chain link. He's not always outside when we're home by any means... just when it's a nice warm summer afternoon. I'm not punishing my dog or ignoring him. He's not an outside dog at all... he just loved basking in the sun on our outdoor furniture. I don't know what it is not to get. I don't think it's a negative thing to have your dogs outside on a nice day for a couple hours... he's not out there when it's raining or cold and is not left out there all day and ignored....

[basilboy7]

@tlish:

if you walk away from the door to where he can't see you, how long will he stay at the door? maybe if you wait a little while, he'll get bored and go check out the yard (maybe go out alone and hide some treats in the yard before you let him out there, so he'll be rewarded for wandering around and sniffing). at that point he'll probably sniff his 'spot' and go to the bathroom. hopefully.

I'll try this.. I like the idea of hiding treats outside as we do that inside all the time thanks

[sharronhurlbut]

When you say tie, that makes me think the dog is outside. YOU can come and go, and there he is. I do rescue. Most dogs who are tied outside are biters, because the family isn't around and they can't get away from dangers they are afraid of..so they bite.
Sorry if that isn't you, but in my world, staking a dog where it can't get away from trouble isn't a good thing.

[basilboy7]

@sharronhurlbut:

When you say tie, that makes me think the dog is outside. YOU can come and go, and there he is. I do rescue. Most dogs who are tied outside are biters, because the family isn't around and they can't get away from dangers they are afraid of..so they bite.
Sorry if that isn't you, but in my world, staking a dog where it can't get away from trouble isn't a good thing.

The "tie down" is long.. he can go to all parts of the back yard except he's about a foot away from the chain link fence and about two feet from the back door. Again, he isn't "left" out there. It was simply when we had a warm summer day and he was relaxed out there… if he didn't like it then I wouldn't have had him out there. He's not treated like an outside dog. There is no trouble where I am. No animals that prey on him.. in our yard we get squirrels, birds and the occasional rabbit. No animal can get to him and he's out there with my lab mutt or with me. I'm not punishing my dog. You sound very very snippy. Just because you do something your way... doesn't mean it's the ONLY way. Again, he was ONLY tied down because he could get under the fence and run away.. I'm sorry.. is it better to have a dog run over by a car? I think it's actually more beneficial for a dog to have the freedom to roam his own backyard, explore and play and enjoy the sun then to be stuck inside all day and ONLY allowed outside if he's TIED to you. Thank you for your helpful advice.

[sharronhurlbut]

I was not going to respond to you, but will give it one more try, for your dog. If your dog isn't safe in your backyard because of the fence, fix it. If he can get out, other animals can get in. Simple. Re this tie down. Ok, its long you say, dog can pull it all over the yard. got it. How often do you p/u your dogs waste? Lets say daily, still there is a chance you don't see a pile and the line is pulled through it. The dog isn't able to get away from his own waste smell. Even if you p/u the waste, there is still the smell there to him. Dogs like to live in clean areas, if they have the chance. How would you like to have to live in that? If he is out even 1/2 the day, and I suspect it's more..HE is living in that. To me that isn't the way someone keeps a beloved pet. No need to respond. SIGH.

[basilboy7]

@sharronhurlbut:

I was not going to respond to you, but will give it one more try, for your dog. If your dog isn't safe in your backyard because of the fence, fix it. If he can get out, other animals can get in. Simple. Re this tie down. Ok, its long you say, dog can pull it all over the yard. got it. How often do you p/u your dogs waste? Lets say daily, still there is a chance you don't see a pile and the line is pulled through it. The dog isn't able to get away from his own waste smell. Even if you p/u the waste, there is still the smell there to him. Dogs like to live in clean areas, if they have the chance. How would you like to have to live in that? If he is out even 1/2 the day, and I suspect it's more..HE is living in that. To me that isn't the way someone keeps a beloved pet. No need to respond. SIGH.

If you actually read my post… I FIXED THE FENCE IN AUGUST which is why i would like to train him to go outside on his own.. because now he can. STOP being so goddamn rude. You're not being helpful at all. Now I'm leaving this thread. WE ALL GET IT... YOU'RE BETTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE. CONGRATS. I DONT CARE WHAT YOU THINK OR YOUR STUPID OPINION. GET A JOB OR A HOBBY YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A SAD INTERNET BULLY. HAVE A WONDERFUL ****ING DAY.

[Kipawa]

Whoa.

There is NO REASON to be rude.

Let's remember that sometimes the written word comes across differently in this method of conversation (on-line). Sharron is one of the kindest people I know. She works with rescue and has no doubt seen some very sad things. Her comments are coming from a caring place for the welfare of the dog. Kipawa is 13 months old now, and since we received him (even before) Sharron has given me many wonderful ideas and tips.

P.S. Sharron has a full time job, works basenji rescue and also has hobbies.

[Kipawa]

I forgot to mention a couple of ideas that have helped us and others:

1. Using a consistent phrase to tell your dog you want him to pee/poop works quite well. Our breeder uses the words "hurry hurry". When we got Kipawa, I started doing that with him in the backyard and it worked - but it takes time, patience, a few treats and TONS of love and praise when he does it right. Kipawa does tend to not want to pee in his back yard, but has no problem pooping. Funny little character!

2. Just recently we bought Poochie Bells. We hang them on the back patio door. Kipawa has started to figure out that if he rings those bells we are right there to open the door for him.

I also wonder if it is a confidence issue for some basenjis (that they want their peeps with them when they pee). Maybe they feel vulnerable when they are out there doing their business. Kipawa and I have a tight bond, and I know he feels more comfortable if I am there or at least if I am watching him from the kitchen window.

Hope some of these ideas help.

[eeeefarm]

@Kipawa:

1. Using a consistent phrase to tell your dog you want him to pee/poop works quite well. Our breeder uses the words "hurry hurry". When we got Kipawa, I started doing that with him in the backyard and it worked - but it takes time, patience, a few treats and TONS of love and praise when he does it right..

I use "go pee" and "poop, poop, poop". Peeing isn't usually an issue, but I feel like an idiot when I am out in the hay shed in winter yelling "poop, poop, poop" as if I am cheering on a sports team. It usually works eventually! He knows what I want, but like most Basenjis, it can take some time…...and in my case, cheer leading.......to get him "in the mood."

[tanza]

I have always gone out with my pups, even now at almost 2yrs old, I still go out with them in the morning and evening before bed to make sure they go. And I mix it up between walking them on leash out front or going out with them in the backyard

[renaultf1]

@tanza:

I have always gone out with my pups, even now at almost 2yrs old, I still go out with them in the morning and evening before bed to make sure they go. And I mix it up between walking them on leash out front or going out with them in the backyard

+1. Also, like eeeefarm, I use "pee" and "poop" as chant words to get them to go - works perfectly. I usually won't leave them out until I've seen them go. As puppies, I would never expect them to go unless I was out there with them. Even as adults, it is the only sure fire way I know they've done their business. And even as adults I still reward and praise when they go outside.

[tanza]

@renaultf1:

+1. Also, like eeeefarm, I use "pee" and "poop" as chant words to get them to go - works perfectly. I usually won't leave them out until I've seen them go. As puppies, I would never expect them to go unless I was out there with them. Even as adults, it is the only sure fire way I know they've done their business. And even as adults I still reward and praise when they go outside.

Exactly…. a treat is always in hand as a potty reward...... along with praise. It particularly helps in the winter when the weather is not so nice.

[eeeefarm]

@tanza:

Exactly…. a treat is always in hand as a potty reward...... along with praise. It particularly helps in the winter when the weather is not so nice.

In winter around here, getting to come back inside in the warmth is a reward in itself! I find he takes much less time to "decide" when it is stinking cold out, but takes his time when it's milder. The exception is extreme cold. Once he is holding up all the feet he can, doing what he is out there for completely slips his mind. Summer is less of a problem, because when we walk around the property he usually gets his business done…...exercise is a good trigger. I don't know why Basenjis are so fussy about their "bathroom habits", but they all seem to be difficult at one time or another, particularly if the weather is not to their liking. (you'd think they would be smart enough to figure out they spend less time in the rain if they "go" at once, but no......that would be too easy!)