Playing instead of pottying?

[Stephanie]

Welllll....  Perry has done a complete 180 in energy!  she's bouncing around and getting into chewing trouble now! (see back to latest post page on my "anyone else expereince an extremely laid back puppy"?)

BTW  she is approaching 9 weeks, which I know is really young potty training wise, and I don't expect perfect consistency, but I would like to establish firmly ,  potty first.

 

She has done REALLY well in her potty training, and has even started "nudging" the blinds on back door as if to "knock" to go out.  Which is FANTASTIC!  - BUT  she has also gained a HUGE NEW LOVE of the outdoors! - otherwise  playing instead of pottying!  I have been going home @ lunch to let her out and a small lunch - she potty's then plays,  when we come in to eat etc, and then go out again before leaving she runs wanting to be chased, plays in grass etc...  ( she has to have to mid day lunch right now, by vet / breeder directions to alleviate the  no/ low  energy  problems we had first week home)

I am wanting to re-informce potty first - then play as reward.  some have mentioned 5 minutes to potty, then if she doesn't go, retreat back to crate for 15  min, then try again. (only this method is not entirely flexible if I am at the end of lunch break and need to return quickly)

Also, I wonder if I should revert back to taking her potty only while on leash, so she can be re-directed w/o free reign of yard? then let 'go" to play only after pottying?

 

 she's become a TAD interested in eating one particular  poop -   I am HOPING it's b/c there are a few floating out there that had the karo syrup in it that she had to take for a temporary blood sugar set back, and that's why this one POOP is "fascinating" . she had sort of "spread it around" w her mouth (ewwwwww , i know)  before i realized it wsn't a stick - so getting it "all" out is tough.

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

We still keep Hurley on his leash when we go out to potty.  While out to potty we quietly say 'potty' the entire time. Then a good boy when he has completed his business.  If he starts to get distracted we tug on the leash and continue to say potty.  That way we limit it turning into a play time.  When he is done with is 'pottying' we come back in the house and then go back out to play. Always on the leash.

Not sure that will be much help to you since you are on a limited time schedule.   

[Bobbi Park]

I'm tryin' somethin' new.....when I take Coco out, first thing in the morning (5-6am), the grass is wet and he's spooked a bit.....I keep saying "Good Coco/Good Dog".....he'll pee right off the bat, no problem....but, I know it takes awhile for him to walk around to BM....15 mins or so, I have to start gettin' ready for work, we come in, and voila.....he   poops on/close to the puppy pad....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr    When he could have easily done it outside!!     Now, when I get home from work, we go out, he pee's and as soon as he BM's, we come right back in the house, which he loves, inside.....  Also, my Coco is ALWAYS on a leash....being so close to my street (not much front yard)....he's too busy bein' nosy....hahaha   Every sound distracts him.   Today, he's been good.....great way to start the Easter Weekend!!