Looking for a bit of advice please. We don't have toileting problems, although we are currently (successfully) working on cutting out the incessant marking that my 2yr old (intact) dog indulges himself in. What I would like to do is train him to go 'on command', so we can have poo-free lead walks in town etc. I know that this can be successfully acheived with show dogs and gun dogs - how do we get started on this? I don't have a problem with the dog going in the garden before a walk or waiting till we get to the park, but would like to cut out the pavement pooing - it is unpleasant and unneccessary. Can we successfully train him to go on command or/ and to gutter train him? many thanks!
Re: Improving our toilet manners! Hi Patricia You can train your dog to 'go on command'. I have just done this with one of my kennel dogs that has been in the house for a few days. I did not want her to 'wee' on my patio, so every few hours I took her to the kennel run and waited until she started to wee. Then as she was weeing I said very softly 'hurry up'. After a few goes I was able to say 'hurry up' and she would look at me for a moment and then the light bulb would come on. And she would do a wee right there. However, it is not quite as simple as that. The fact that she will wee on command in the kennel run, does not necessarily mean she will wee on command anywhere. It takes practice in different locations. I also held the 'trump card' because she badly wanted to come back in the house with me, and I would not let her out of the run until she had been for a wee. This is partly simple classical conditioning. Associating the act of weeing, with a previously unconnected word. If you do it often enough the word should get the urge to pee when you say the word. You can hurry things up like I did by offering a powerful reward once the dog has responded to your cue. You could try standing in the garden holding the lead in your hand, so that the dog knows he will be going for a walk soon. If you do this first thing in the morning when he has been shut in all night, or after his dinner, you will be likely to get a result. Use your word whilst he is doing what he needs to do, then immediately praise, put his lead on, and take him on to the pavement. Even if it is only for two minutes. That should make the connection. Would be interested to know how you get on Hope that helps Pippa
Re: Improving our toilet manners! Thanks Pippa, this is helpful - I knew I should change my cue word, and will try your other tips! regards Patricia
Re: Improving our toilet manners! I definitely advocate a 'hurry up' type command. We trained a 'do a wee' command, but its actually a bit embarrassing in some situations, to be stood shouting "do a wee!" at a deaf elderly labrador who's taking her time.
Re: Improving our toilet manners! ;D ;D Sam! Poor old thing! Mind I found firmly saying loudly at the wrong moment "get busy then" as the school caretaker walked past wasn't ideal either!
