Unsupervised potty trips

[Christy&Riley]

A week after we got Riley my husband accidentally stepped on her leg and fractured it. So we started out with a new puppy, in a splint that we had to bag every time she went outside. The bag was a toy to her so each of the million potty trips was a battle.Then the splint came off and found it had caused sores which were infected. Then she started eating deer poo in our yard so she got parasites. Then played so hard at the kennel her paws were raw so then we treated that. Plus 10 days no activity when she was spayed. Needless to say it has been an exhausting 5 months.

She is now 7 months, healthy and overall a very good dog. While she can go longer between potty trips, we still take her out on a leash. (Making sure she doesn't eat deer droppings again, dig in the mud when she smells something underground, eat every leaf in our yard or taking off to the back yard to play keep away from us.) Add to that a potty accident in the house last week and a few other things and my husband (who does most of the work) is sadly considering finding her a new home. I think a big relief would be if we can let her go out without constant supervision, particularly now that it is cold here. My husband has let her out a few times but usually ends up having to go out and get her out of trouble. Do you think she is old enough to use a tie out? At least she would stay within eyesight range but I don't want to choke her. What age did your dogs go out unsupervised? I know "freedom"will vary by dog but just curious if any relief is in the near future. Thanks!

[Julie and Charlie]

It only gets better from here! That's the age where they start getting everything you are training, become much more reliable in the house, and generally become a bigger joy to be around.

Now, the bad part. I still take Charlie out on a leash- it's quicker, his paws don't get muddy on every trip outside, and frankly, I feel better going out with him. If I am in the yard with him, he gets free rein, but I am constantly keeping him busy and out of trouble (frisbee, fetch, visiting the neighbors through the fence). I've occasionally let him out without supervision, and sometimes he does his thing and comes right back in, and sometimes will take off. Thankfully, he has reasonably good recall in the backyard and he really can't get into too much trouble except getting dirty. But in Oregon in the winter, it's muddy.

Dogs are work... no doubt about it. It's always something: we've been through giardia, canine papilloma virus, bacterial conjunctivitis, vomiting for seemingly no reason, vomiting for a reason-- always seems to be in the middle of the night!, a blip in the house training radar at Christmas last year when I had a house full of guests, continual training, constant planning ahead for work trips and vacations, and thinking about his welfare besides my own. Wishing you and your husband the best while you work through this.

[Vivian & Mojo]

Mojo is 21 months old and I always take him out on a leash. I like to make sure he doesn't get into trouble by eating sticks, dirt or leaves or perhaps acorns. I also like to see him do his business so if he has a loose stool I know right away and also can clean up after him. I agree dogs are so much work but the love they give is worth the trouble. I do sympathize with you about the situation with your husbands feelings about Riley. I live with my boyfriend and he was very upset with Mojo when he was younger over chewing his things and potty accidents and the hard work in general but as time went by he grew attached to him, but not as strongly as I feel but way more than tolerating and it gets better all the time. I do 90% of the caring for him, walking cleaning up and brushing and feeding but he is helping more and enjoying him more as he gets older and better behaved.

I would not feel comfortable with a tie out at all as you said choking is possible plus she could eat something to harm her. I have on occasion put Mojo on a long training leash and hold the looped end and let him out while standing at the door watching him. This way I don't always have to go out and can give the leash a tug and call him back. When I do that I always give him a treat so he runs home without any trouble.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you can work things out.

[Dynamite & Doodle]

It will get better. A lot of people surrender their puppies at this age because it is hard and a lot of work but it's worth it if you can get through this age. They will not be puppies for much longer and then you'll have a lovely adult dog for many many years. You can do it!

I have been letting my puppy who is now 8 months old outside in the yard for a long time. We got a new fence installed shortly after we got him and he can run free out there without any worries. He did dig a few times and then we were supervising him again for a bit but he's pretty much fine out there. He likes to sit on the steps at the side of the house and watch the world go by. He also likes to run around with his toys when I am out with him. He never barks at people walking by, even the mailman going to the front door (outside of the fence) just gets a wagging tail and puppy smiles. A fenced yard is a good thing. Mabye you could get a dog run installed?

[Christy&Riley]

Thanks Julie. My two biggest fears are coming home from work at lunch to take Riley out and she plays keep away from me while digging in her favorite spot in the back yard ( over a mole hole.) There is no way I can carry her in once I catch her, let alone restrain her in the tub. Besides I would be in work clothes and have limited time. So during the day I have a vice grip on the leash. I miss the summer lunches where she would stay in the front and just sit on my lap in the driveway...oh, and I could carry her! With that said, I do like her better now that she knows a few commands and is house broken!

[Linda And Loo]

Christy, you are almost at the point of reaping the rewards of your hard work! Don't give up yet! My doodle is almost 2 and I still take her out on a lease, however, we use an extender lease with the dogs now, so we can stand on the deck while they do their business! We stand in the garage when it is raining and they need to go out! Our problem is rabbit poop! They think it is a delicacy! When they go out on the lease, they know it is time to do their business not play time! You all have had a rough start but things are only going to get better! Hang in there!

[Christy&Riley]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I'll pass it along to my husband too! :-)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Christy, you are almost at the end of the crummy part of puppyhood, but if you live in an area where there is stuff she can get into, you just make more work for yourself if you let her outside without supervision.  We live in So. California and have a doggy door so the dogs drag in dirt constantly and if it rains, they get muddy and track it everywhere - BUT we don't get that much rain, we don't live where there are rabbits or deer, so the yard is totally safe.  We are very lucky and I am in awe of those of you who live in places where it gets soooo cold, snows and rains a lot, and some of you have more than one dog.  Wow! Lots of work.

[Yvette & Emma]

Hi Christy-

I feel for you. You have been through a lot. I have enclosed backyard so I don't have the quite the same problem. However that being said at 11pm at night and when I am in rush I don't like when she won't recall and come to me either. So I started the tried and true Cookie method and it has been working great. I found a treat she REALLY likes and can't resist and every time she comes in no matter what give her this special Cookie. Now all I have to do as she is running around and acting like she doesn't remember her name is "Do you want a cookie" and she comes running and practically knocks me down to get in and I have noticed as of late I don't have to even offer Cookie and she comes in a lot better. But she is only 6 months and I still reinforce with the cookie to stay on a good path. I hope this helps and things continue to get better for you and Riley.

[Shannon Hott]

I also have a fenced back yard but I build a pen area so they would do their business in one area. This may be an option for you. I went to lowes and bought 4' fencing (almost like chicken wire but green and more sturdy). The entire area including the poles you buy cost me $50.00. It is right off my deck. I let the dogs go out and I will watch through the window to make sure they go to the grass. Sometimes they decided to play outside and other times they come right back. It relieves a lot of stress when you have an area to let them go potty and to have times outside to play and not have to always be supervised. 

[Christy&Riley]

With it getting cold here and dark earlier, it has been more difficult getting enough play in during the day. I think that (along with just being a puppy) is a big part of the issue. On the days we do a lot with her, the trips out seem more "quick and productive." Looks like we'll need to make more time to tire her out each day. I also purchased a 50 foot leash that will allow us to at least stay on the driveway or porch and not have to wander through the snow. :-)