We’ve had our now 10 week old Labrador retriever for just over 2 weeks and he won’t go to the bathroom outside. We live in Canada and since Bandit came home we’ve had 4 feet of snow followed by frigid ice storms, and I can’t blame the little guy for not wanting to go outside! He’s been very good at going on the pee pad we put right by the back door but we have no idea how to transition him to going outside. It doesn’t look like the weather will be on our side any time soon and any advice will be greatly appreciated!!
Hi @Samantha Leigh Gee you really do have a problem. If you keep using pads, then you're training a behaviour you ultimately dont want. All i can think of is that maybe you can clear a patch in your garden. You don't need a big area. Reward the puppy with wonderful treats when defecation or urination occurs in that area. Carry her there if the snow is too deep. If it's too cold to be out, then put some soil down n the garage.cover it with some turf. Something similar to what wiil appear in your own backyard come Spring. Train the dog to defecate and urinate on the turf. Big rewards. As weather warms gradually move the makeshift toilet area to the garden and fade the turf [make it smaller and smaller]. I've never toilet trained a dog in the snow. So I'm guessing. Perhaps a more experienced member will chip in.
Lots of snow where I'm at too. Shovel out an area near your exit door, maybe 10x10 feet, and put down hay. You local hardware store should have it. If he won't go outside pick him up and take him to the area. Do it every time and he'll get the message. Let him know what the rules are and he in time will get it. Throw the pee pads in the garbage.
All I can add is as soon as you see him go towards the pads pick him up I used to put Willow on the sofa while I got my coat on as she won't pee there it encourages them to hold it then put them out and say your word for toilet when done say yes and big reward. I used pads too and every hour I would take her out. She is 18 weeks now and house trained we get up at 6am to let her out she poops about 7pm in the garden walks at 10 pm to pee then sleeps all night.
We live in Maine. Lots of snow and below zero temps. It's torture potty training a puppy in winter. We clear the fenced in area we have for the dogs then scatter some dirt and it seems to do the trick.
Once they get used to it, they, (or at least ours), are quite happy to go in the snow. They also love running in snow.
Thank you so much everyone for the wonderful advice. We’re going to start off by trying to use some dirt or hay in the shoveled area we have right outside the back door. (And the pee pads are gone for sure!) Hopefully this will put us on the right path to proper potty training for Bandit
