What to do when there is no fence and a puppy that wants out every 15min to play???

[Corie & Floyd]

well Floyd is now 12 weeks old. I have had him for 4 wonderful weeks and now he wants OUT. We live in Grand Forks ND...(hopefully some of u do as well) and there is no back yard fence to our house. Thankfully we have no one behind us for miles and we are on the edge of the houseing...so its very quiet. Floyd goes out side and potties and then comes back. Now he wants to stay out longer due to the warmer weather..anything above -10F. It was every 15 min that he was cryin at the door wanting out. Since he's a puppy i let him out every time he does this just to re enforce the whole potty outside. we are planning on putting up a fence when the ground thaws out...but till then we have a cable so i dont have to worry about him running off...hes good so far. If any of u have any other suggestions i would love to hear them. When it is nice out side i take him for a nice long walk to get out some of his new found energy.

on a side not we went to the vet to get some shots and they weight him and he is not 20lbs. Thats 5lbs in 2 weeks.....what a big boy..

thanks all

[Adina P]

Make outside trips very BUSINESS-LIKE: on leash, no playing unless you are going out TO play. If he doesn't pee/poop crate him for a bit (15-60 minutes) then try again. If he pees or poops come in and play. Then out to potty before next crating. Perhaps set some definite outdoor play TIMES so that he understands the schedule and knows that play time ONLY happens then.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Corie, you will notice that in each of the suggestions given, it is necessary that you go out with Floyd; letting him out by himself, which it sounds like you are doing, will not work, either for housebreaking or for teaching him when it is time to play and when it is time to do his business. You are not there on the spot to immediately praise him when he goes, reinforcing the idea that this is the purpose for going outside now, and you don't always know if he HAS gone, which causes you to let him out again 15 minutes later because he might not have gone last time, but really needs to now.
If you are with him, it will be your choice if he gets to stay out & play. I know it's a pain in this weather, but you will be very pleased with the results if you accompany him outside each time, at least until he has the concept down pat. Good luck.

[Lynda Kamrath]

It will be great when warmer weather comes to get your fence built and time for play in the back yard. But right now, you are trying to potty train him and he is getting confused. He thinks that if he barks at the door that you will let him out to play. You want to break that habit. I would say not to respond to the bark for going outside. You decide when it is a potty break time and you take him out on a leash. No free time right now. This is serious business only. And you must be with him. He'll get used to it.