Bought Kennel Dogs Who Never Been Outside, Now They Freeze And Won’t Go To The Bathroom- Only In Their Bed!
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
Today I went bought 2 Italian Greyhounds. I love them to death already, but I’m having trouble. They won’t pee or poop outside. They’ve never been outside! Unfortunately they’re kennel dogs and never been outside. I was under the impression they were house dogs just being raised sometimes in a kennel. I guess not- they were in there all the time, They did their bathroom stuff in there. I guess it’s a HUGE kennel and there were a few puppies in there. They’re timid, but very eager to receive love. We live in MN and it’s cold and I can see the pads of their feet are freezing. We stay outside about 7 min. and I put them back in the kennel, take them out again after 15 minutes, but they WILL poop inside the kennel anyway. They have no idea why we’re outside. I’ve taken them seperatly and together. They stand there and cry holding up 1 foot. I have patience, but I’m nervous, kennel/petstore dogs I hear are HARD to train. Any suggestions?
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Wow, I feel for you. They are not easy on the potty training and it will take alot of positive reinforcement and patience. Can you put them in a room with a babygate or put them into a different type of kennel than they are use too? At PetSmart they sell the garments for dogs in season, and one for a male. I would have that on them. Because I think if they were to go, they probably wouldn’t like the feel of it when they go. I would have them in sweaters, that PetSmart also sells. Instead of putting them back inside of the kennel, you can put them on leash and just keep them by you or attached to something in the room, so that they can’t roam around and make mistakes. Have a really good treat for when they do go outside. Dig away the snow where you want them to go. If they make the mistake, take it outside to that spot where you want them to go all the time. PetSmart also has a spray too to spray outside with a smell to help them. Be patient, don’t get upset with them, as they have no clue. How old are they?
Our frind rescued a 5 year old dog that was in a puppy mill and had never even touched the ground. She started by taking the fecies outside in a spot that she wanted them to go and taking them to that same spot everytime. Everytime they would go in there crate she would tell them no potty inside and take the poop and put it in there area and set them down by it. She would then tell them to potty outside. She also had to buy a smaller crate where they had enough room to stand but if the went the would be standing in it. She hated that and she had her house broke in about a month.
you have got your hands full i would think .these dogs probably have spent their life in a crate.the bad part is the area you live and they are no way close to being use to the outside let alone cold outside.i think i would try a feeding time no later than 5 in the evening and many trips out to try and get them to go out side to relieve themselves.disinfect the crates really good to try and rid the smell too.as soon as it is warm enough to get them outdoors and you have a place where they wont wander off i would leave them there to get use to going outside. good luck
First of all IG’s aren’t really made for MN winter weather. They need sweater coats for warmth.
I house trained my pup in the winter time by buying a small plastic kid’s pool (Walmart) and lining it heavily with newspaper. I had the pool inside my garage (right outside the kitchen door) and repeatedly took him out there until he caught on. Changing the newspaper was a breeze and when the weather started to warm up, I no longer let him use the pool and showed him to the yard.
You have to understand that IG’s cannot just be turned loose outside either. They will run clear into Wisconsin if they feel like it!
My mom recently acquired an Italian Greyhound and it is adorable!
This might be a “duh”, but when you go outside do you have them properly bundled up? We live in FL but our dog gets cold easily on even mildly chilly nights.
Maybe it would be easier to train them when spring comes.
You could try bringing the bedding or anything outside with you so they learn gradually why they are outside.
Do you run with them or walk them? These dogs need loads of exercise!
Please talk to your veterinarian! I suggest buying them booties. You can scold them while they are going to the bathroom in the kennel, not after. People like those who keep dogs caged inside do not deserve to care for animals.
Keep trying!
take some of their poop and put it outside where you walk them , they will get the idea, keep them in a cage for a little while after you feed them ( dogs usually wont pee/poop in a cage if the they can help it, then walk them by the area where you put the poop you collected , if that does not work, tie them up outside for a while, sooner or later they will go poop/pee where they are tied up at