I dont like doing this, but?

Question

is it ok to not play with my dog first thing in the morning, until he pees/poos outside? I have just kept putting him in his crate and taking him potty every 15 min. until he pees/poos, and it is after breakfast...so I know he's going to have to go.
Will this help at all, him trying to get the picture, that there is no play until he goes outside?

Or is that harsh?

it would be easier to take him for a long walk in the morning, but morning walks dont work at our house, lol.
I have a 3 year old I would have to drag out with us every morning, snow or storm too.
He gets his nice walks after dinner, when I dont have to talk daughter along everytime:)

Answer 1

You're doing the right thing. If you're not already, when you have him outside, walk him around the yard, sometimes puppies need to walk a little bit to get things moving. If he's not fully vaccinated against parvo virus yet, don't take him off your property. Also, when he's outside, don't let him goof around by playing and running and jumping (I know, easier said than done). Also make sure you are using a command like "go potty" or whatever you don't feel silly saying over and over again :) Any time he does his business, reward him with praise like "good potty" and if you do treat training, this is the proper time to treat him. It's also helpful if you say your command, "go potty" whenever he starts, just do it softly so you don't startle him :)

When I take my puppy out, I say "go potty" every so often until he starts doing his business, as he's doing it I say "good potty" in a soft but very affectionate voice. We have weaned him off treats, but we used to give him a treat when he was done and say "good potty" while popping the treat in his mouth. It worked like a charm, he was about 99% potty trained within a month.

Answer 2

It's not harsh. Show him affection and that you're happy to see him. You don't have to play with your puppy all the time. Play should be tempered with training, and with relaxation time where he should just lay, maybe chew on a bone etc. It shouldn't always be play because that is what he'll learn to expect.

You can play with your puppy any time, before or after he goes, just watch his potty schedule and when he goes outside may a HUGE deal about it. THAT is what he'll remember.

Dog: "When I go outside I get treats and belly rubbins"

That is the association. He won't correlate no play with going outside.

Good Luck

Answer 3

A better solution is to take your dog outside for a long walk after he eats. YOU don't come back in with him until he does his business. Some dogs need to walk or have some other sort of activity to make everything work right.

After he takes care of business, offer lavish petting, tummy rubs and congratulatory praise for his job well done. He'll make the connection.

Answer 4

Don't think of it as no play until he goes potty, instead, think of it as giving him playtime FOR going potty. that's how he will see it. if you take him out and he goes and then he immediately gets to play, he might try to go sooner to get his reward of playtime. it works in reverse too, if a dog loves being outside, and you take him inside the second he goes, he'll probably hold it so he can stay out longer. sounds like you are doing a fine job with him!

Answer 5

That is what I do. You could also try telling your dog to "go pee" or "go poo" while you are out side. When he finally goes either praise him while he is going by saying "Good pee!" or "Good poo!" or whatever you want to use. Eventually the dog will almost pee on command, not poo though but i do think it speeds up the process.

Answer 6

if u take him for a long walk in the morning then you must do that every single day otherwise when you dont' feel like doing it it will take forever for your puppy to go pee/poop. let him go first then take him for a walk as a treat.
I take my puppy out as soon as she wakes then she eats and then I take her out again. as soon as i'm done playing with her i take outside immediately to eliminate also

Answer 7

Dogs just naturally like to play. I don't think punishing your dog in that nature will give your dog any idea that he needs to pee/poop. In your dog's mind they are just being punished for nothing or that you cannot play. In other words:

"When most dog owners think about training their dog, they think in negatives. They want their puppy not to chew the furniture, not to piddle on the carpet, and not to jump up on guests. This can get a little confusing from the puppy's point of view, "

"The key to keeping your puppy from doing what you don't want her to do is giving her a positive alternative--teaching her what you do want her to do. For example, if you see your puppy dancing anxiously around the living room like she needs to go out, get her outside in a flash. Stay near her the whole time she's out, and reward her with praise and a treat as soon as she relieves herself. This teaches her that going outside is a good thing. "

http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/pets/articles/d83

I would state not to use this as a training method. Most puppies, I know mine, like to eliminate right after they wake up. As soon as I get out of the bed, I put on some clothes and immediately take her out. If they get that idea that they will be taken out first thing in the morning as soon as you get up and they get up then they'll start eliminating. Once you bring them back in give your dog a treat and praise your dog.

Answer 8

pets are like little kids, they like attention and like to play to. play with him a little bit in the morning and show him the door to the OUTHOUSE ,then he will start getting excited about going. Always remember that pets are family to. good luck

Answer 9

That's fine. That's the first thing to be done in the morning with dogs.

Answer 10

I think what you're doing is good! You're making the message clear to him : "Empty dogs get to play and get rewarded!" You'll be very happy that you taught this at such an early stage.