Potty Issues

[Phoebe's Mom]

Frustration is my mood for the day. For the past three or so weeks Phoebe has decided that, despite not having gone potty since 11pm the night before, she does not want to go when my son takes her out at 7am. Mind you, she had been doing this beautifully for forever prior to this. He comes in frustrated after about a half hour and I am equally frustrated as I know I will have to rush home after drop off (at school)to take her out again. I know it might sound as if there is an easy fix..just take her out later, right? But that means that I must make it a point to return to the house after drop off each day (when I do come home then she really needs to go!) which is not always practical if I am volunteering at school or have certain errands to run. I know I sound like the biggest cry baby when I say that I just want her to go the way she used to! Phoebe had her annual exam this past Monday and I ran it by the vet who said she thinks it is merely behavioral and that she will work through it. I am wondering if the newly melting snow might have something to do with it--more smells, some grass to chew, more distractions (I know I am grasping at straws but it has been a particularly rough morning here). Oh well, this, too, shall pass I suppose...I was told the same thing about my son's daily night waking and we are going on 3.5 years with that 'phase'...hope Phoebe's fades more quickly!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Don't take her out quite as late as you were so that she will have a stronger urge to pee when your son takes her out at 7 a.m. Maybe that will work.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Our guys really are something. Isn't it amazing that they will hold out until conditions are perfect for them! I don't get it....when I have to go, I have to go - especially after all night. Guinness will pee anywhere, but he is very selective about his poop spot, and it doesn't matter how badly he has to go. There have been mornings I was out there in my PJs in the freezing cold begging him to go after walking him around the back forever. We live in a condo, and the neighbors peek out from behind their curtains...they don't think I see them, but I do. I'm sure they're having a good laugh. Then there are the times he just can't seem to find perfection, so I bring him back in and DH takes a shot at it. When he finally does find just the right spot it's "pace and circle time"....oh yes, lots of pacing and circling before going in for the final squat. At that point though, I'm so excited to see the pacing that I'm ready to dance. That's when I start with the "good boy, good poopy" in my ridiculous high praising voice. Then for a while life is good again, and I can relax and enjoy my coffee. The puppy, on the other hand, could care less. He just goes out and does his business right away. He'll do it right at the bottom of the deck stairs. I take them out separately because I really don't want him to learn any of this paranoid poopy behavior from his brother. I hope your vet is right and that she will just work through it...with my Guinness I think it's here to stay. At least we all have each other...

[Phoebe's Mom]

Thanks so much for all the advice. Once again, knowing I am not alone and crazy is great. Apparently, my doodle is as sick of the snow melting into a muddy pond in my front yard as I am--add to that four days of solid rain and no wonder she wants to 'hold it instead of wading through the muck!'

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh, this sounds good. Right now my two are in their crates because Calla came in muddy up to her knees from digging in the yard.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack absolutely will not set foot in the yard when it is wet or muddy. While there was snow in the yard, he went out first thing in the a.m. and last thing at night to do his business. He is now holding it until I can take him for his walk. Don't ask me what the difference is between the wet grass in the yard and the wet grass on the parkway, but this is the way he is.
If there is a gravelled area near your home, see if Phoebe likes that better for pottying...maybe a playground or parking area. Otherwise, hang in there, if she's anything like Jack, she will "go the way she used to go" as soon as things dry up again.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Taquito has gone through spells with this. It is usually weather related though. He just refuses to pee. I have also found (like christina suggests) that standing in only one spot does help.....don't let her run around...

[Christina and Cooper plus Benny]

You can try putting her on a leash and standing in ONE spot until she goes - just plant your feet. Also, use her potty word. Don't let her cruise around and smell. She will get that this is boring at that she needs to go and be done so she can then go smell around. We did this when potty training Coop and it really seemed to work.

[Phoebe's Mom]

This morning it happened to be both pee and poop but ordinarily, just peeing is the issue.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

You mention the newly melting snow and I can tell you that I noticed this year (which reminded me that the same thing happened last year) that after the ground has been covered with snow for several weeks, when the grass finally is uncovered again my girls are very leary of the grass. They went to find a snow pile to pee in until there was snow no more. It was like Lucy was afraid to walk on the grass. Particularly when it was still dark out. Not saying that is your problem, but just telling you my observations here.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Are we talking pee or poop or both?