Dog Lovers... help please??

Question

1. Okay - I know it won't snow for a couple of months yet, but how will I get my dog to go to the bathroom outside when there's snow everywhere?? This will be the first winter I've had my dog. Do they just go anyways?? What if he won't go because it's too cold? Should I get him a little sweater to wear outside?? He's a minpin/jack russel mix so he has short hair. Help??

2. How do I get my dog to poop outside?? I know this probably sounds stupid, but when I take him outside he sometimes doesn't and he just runs around and sniffs for like 15 minutes. So when I bring him back inside he waits until I'm not watching and goes into my spare bedroom and poops on the carpet. Any advice??

3. Also - how do I get my dog to stop spreading trash around everywhere? Everytime I leave he knocks over the trash can and eats all the nasty food and makes a mess all over my floor. It's so frustrating!! Any advice on that one??

Thanks in advance!! :)

He is fully housetrained, he just gets stubborn sometimes and gives me a hard time

Answer 1

Jack russells and mini pinchers have very dense coats. They won't get cold unless they're left out there.
Just keep their bathroom/walk schedule the same and he'll know it's time to go. And if he's cold trust me, he'll go faster lol. But you can also start using the potty command. When it's time to do his business actually say "Go potty". This sometimes snaps them out of the play outside mode and they go. Reward him when he goes with a piece of a treat.
The only advice about the garbage I have is to put it high up or lock it up-that was the only way I could get my little dog to stop getting into it, the instinct to get to the food was just too much, that's the only thing he couldn't be taught "no".

EDIT** I just read that mini pinchers hate the cold dispite their dense coat. My jack russell never minded it so I guess you'll have to see which personality your dog will be for winter..just make sure the sweater isn't constricting or the dog won't go to the bathroom wearing it he'll just be trying to fight it off.

Answer 2

1. I shovel the deck and a path in the back yard for the dogs and stay out with them to make sure they're doing their business. Most dogs can withstand cold weather and snow, some love it. It's just a short trip outside when the temps. drop into single digits.

2. I have read not to bring a pup in immediately after pooping. He wants to stay outside to play and will hold it to prolong the outside time then poop in the house. Makes sense to me although I don't know how true that is. Does he get enough outside exercise?

3. Can you put your trash can in the cupboard or out in the garage (pain)? Nothing worse than getting up to coffee grounds spread all over the kitchen floor. I got a trash compactor several years ago because I couldn't stand the mess.

Answer 3

1. Dogs pee and poo even in the snow. I've had dogs before, and this was never a problem. The ones i had had long hair, so there was no need for sweaters. Another one of them has short hair, but he always bites through his sweaters, they don't last him a day! he shivers from time to time, but as long as he has a doggie house with some blankets or something where he can take refuge everything will be fine. Maybe yours will wear the sweater ok. Try that.
2.For the pooping, i think he thinks that the carpet is where he SHOULD go. My current dog has peed on the carpet too. My suggestion is that you keep the carpeted room closed for now. You could take some of his poop, gross, i know, and put it outside. So he can sniff his own odors outside, so he
gets that that's where he's supposed to go.
For the carpet, you could get one of those sprays that deter dogs. Check at your local pet supply store. I don't remember what it's called, but it's for pet-proofing certain areas that you don't want them to soil.
3. Sorry to say this, but you should keep all things that you don't want him to get in out of his way. I read that those kinds of incidents are our fault, not theirs. That's what i've been doing with my dog, keeping the trash at a higher level so she can't reach it. If you find out a way to leave it on the floor and to have them ignore it, by all means share it with me!

Hope i helped ...

Answer 4

1. Dogs will go in the snow like they go during any other season. If he has short hair and it get cold where you live you should get him a little sweater to keep him warm while outside.
2. Take him outside 15-30 minutes after he eats because that stimulates a bowel movement. If he doesn't go then, take him out every 10 minutes until he does go. Watch him when he's inside the house and if he starts to sniff around, take him outside immediately and say "go potty". Give him a treat immediately when he goes outside so he begins relating pooping outside to rewards.
3. You need to put your trashcan in the pantry closet or on the counter when you leave. If you can't do that, crate train him while you are gone so he can't misbehave.

Answer 5

I have a Min Pin and they are notorious for being slow potty learners. The way I finally trained my little Min Pin is that I used piddle pads and started to slowly move them closer and closer to the outdoors and then finally to the outdoors. Now he goes outside. He's 2 years old and during the winter, he shakes when I take him outside, but he goes as fast as he can. When I take him for walks in the winter, I do have a little sweater for him. As far as the pooping, that is the toughest. Mine is still lazy and poops in my bathroom at times. He's getting better, so be persistant!! And as far as the trash, put the trash out of his reach if you can or in a room that he can't get to. I keep my little Min Pin in my bedroom while I am not home. That's his little world. He has everything he needs in there and I even keep the radio on for him to keep him company. That way he doesn't have the run of the house and doesn't get into trouble. Good Luck!

Answer 6

You should buy your dog a sweater because he will be cold.
He should go the bathroom outside without a problem. He sounds like a typical dog in terms of sniffing around, etc. You just have to be patient, unfortunately. You could check with a vet to see if they can offer any suggestions.
Is your trash can covered? Our dog doesn't bother the trash but we keep it covered. If it's not, try that. Bury food scraps.

Answer 7

1.) If you start giving your dog a treat everytime he goes to the bathroom outside, he will continue to go outside even when there is snow.

2.) I know it seems like your dog doesn't want to poop outside. The only way you can get him to do it is for you to go outside with him. You have to run around with him and help "work" his poop up. Also, your guest room seems to be his favorite spot to go. My dogs favorite spot was the dining room. We closed it off to him and it helped a LOT!

3.) As far as the trash thing goes, thats your fault lol. You can't leave the trash down for him to get. Also, you should be CRATE TRAINING your dog. That means, don't let him run free while you are gone. Get him a doggy cage and put him in there while you are gone. Make sure he has lots of toys and bones in there with him.

Answer 8

You can put a sweater on him but that wont change anything, he will still go outside in the snow, most dogs do.
hes embarrassed to be around you when he poops so hes got to realize that pooping inside is not the answer, rub his nose in it and take him outside immediately, not 5 mins after or he wont know what he did wrong
3....not too sure maybe someone else has the answer to this one
yw in advance!! :)
lol

Answer 9

1. Dogs should poop in the cold , whether or not there is snow. Whether or not you need a sweater depends on how cold it gets where you live and on your dog.Watch him to see if he is cold (if he shivers for example).
2.My dog goes immediately when we go out but some dogs wait longer.You might want to look into getting a crate for your dog until he learns proper housebreaking.
3.A can that closes well or putting it somewhere he can't get to is the best solution.

Answer 10

Most dogs will go outside in the snow...in fact most dogs love to play in the snow....if you want to get a sweater for your dog, by all means do so. Keep him outside to do his business until he does it! Keeping the door closed is another suggestion, but then he may just go someplace else....keep him outside as long as it takes. Putting your garbage where he can't get it is the best suggestion for the final question. Some dogs just won't leave it alone.