Training (Redirecting) Dogs to go to a specific pee spot

[jenn D]

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is well. THings have been busy here with the end of the school year for my 2 legged kids so I've had to take a break from DK to keep up with homelife but I still enjoy reading all the posts.

Here is my question. We are going to bite the bullet and get artificial grass on the top part of our backyard. The bottom still has regular grass but the top is a mess. I want the dogs to be able to have a big wading pool this summer and I cant do it in the current top yard because there is just dirt everywhere. So we are getting artificial grass put in. Getting the estimate today and also getting a portion covered with a gazebo top so there is some shade. However, I need to retrain PB&J to go potty in a new spot. I know there will be accident but I don't want them peeing and pooing all over the new turf. We have a decent side yard that I want to make into the pee and poo area. I am wondering how long its going to take to redirect their bathroom habits. Thoughts? Another reason I would like them to go potty in the side yard is then I can get a doggie door from inside just for that area. They are close to being able to be in the house by themselves. we aren't there yet but I am planning for the future.

Thanks for the help.

[Mari Bezanson]

This is a great question and I don't have any suggestions for you, but I would love to find the answer as well.  I have been thinking the same thing.  It would be much easier to have all their mess in one area.  Easier clean-up, less grass damage and most importantly, an area the kids can avoid...

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Do they have access to the side yard from the new yard?  They need that for while they are playing or you will have to send them potty before play each time.  To train them to that spot I would always put then there before play.  We just re-did our dogs yard and made a separate potty area, we do not have a dog door so as I let them out I follow and tell them 'potty yard' and stay with them repeating that command until they go into that fenced off section and do their job, then they get repeated 'good girls'.  As a rule I have pretty good luck with that...my husband does not do that, just opens the door and we generally have a potty in the other part of the yard when that happens.  It is still new to them to have that yard so we are a work in progress.

[Sally S Miles]

I really have to start taking notes on my own training stuff - we have a side yard for play and it's the preferred for potty - how I did that? Well I don't know, I just haul them over there and they determined that's the spot. No doggie door, have to go through two gates - but that's how it's done here.

I also have a lot of dirt and very little green stuff.

I'm so curious about the artificial turf - please let us know how it goes/works/etc.