Outside Only For Me!!!!!

[Lauren Frisbie]

Hey guys. I haven't posted in here in forever, been so busy! Anyways, I have a 7 month old Silky Terrier, who I thought was potty trained. Well, he goes to the door and will bark his potty bark when he has to go out. I'm 16 and homeschooled, so basically for his first six months, he was with me ALL the time!!! I recently have been trying to spend a little time away from him each day, because I don't think it's healthy for him to be COMPLETELY attached and not be able to handle it if I have to leave him for a day. He's fine with strangers petting him and is attached to my parents and my brother. When I started leaving him(with my parents home), he seemed to do better out, than in his crate. He's potty trained and not destructive, so I leave him out. He barks at the door until he hears my car drive away, then my mom says that he just plays around the house or sleeps in her bed. My dilemma is, he won't go out for her. She says every hour she'll go open the door for him, but he won't go out. So sometimes, she'll pick him up and put him out. He still won't go, he'll stand outside and bark to be let in. I don't want her to walk away from the door and leave him out there, because who knows what could happen! Last night I went out to dinner with a friend and my parents said he pooped on the floor becasue he wouldn't go out. Does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe having her take him out on lead with me standing there to get him used to it? I just don't know and I thought we were potty trained!!! Thanks,

[Vicki Pagano]

Hello Lauren,
I was thinking when I was reading your post that your baby has no experience going outside with your Mom. I think you possibly answered your own question with your last sentences. I would try going out with the dog, with Mom holding the leash. Treat the dog as soon as the deed is done! Then next time, let Mom treat the dog, and do that several times. Then I would try being home but not "available" and see if the dog won't go potty outside with your Mom alone. My 2 cents for what it's worth!
:)

[Krysta Smith]

Lauren,

I live with my parents as well and have been home with Lola since I brought her home. (I thought I was the only one!!) She seems to do better when she's out in my room than in her crate as well. When Lola was little I think everyone took her outside to potty (even my step-dad who has on crutches). She doesn't have any problems going outside with anyone. Try getting your mom and even your other family members to take Whiskey outside with you so he gets used to everyone doing it, in case in the future you need to leave him with someone else. Do you use a leash? I find that if Lola's not on a leash she won't go, but as soon as I put it on she's fine. Good luck!!

[Stefie C]

Hi Lauen, I think your right in getting your Mom to take him out on a lead. At least for a while. If I were you I'd print out a copy of Laura Redhawk's Potty 101 for your Mom. Since your dog already goes out for you, I bet it wouldn't take very long until he's doing the same for your Mom. Good Luck!

Here's the link to Potty 101 - http://www.doggiebagonline. com/articles/article.php?articlei d=6