Question: Hi, I just got a new puppy that is an Australian Shepherd and Retriever mix. We are trying to house train her. When we first got her she was really good about going to the bathroom right away when we took her outside. Now for some reason when we take her out she just lays down so we come back inside and she immediately will find a spot to go in the house. What is the best way to fix this problem?
Answer: There are two parts to my answer:
1- Get her to go to the bathroom outside. Put her on a leash and take her out. Walk her back and forth and calmly giver her the command to go to the bathroom. If you allow her to lie down she loses focus on what she should be doing. By walking her back and forth you will more often than not stimulate a bowel movement and the desire to pee. It may take 30 seconds or it may take five minutes. Whatever it takes, make sure she goes to the bathroom before letting her back in.
2- Supervise, supervise, supervise. If you know she is going to go to the bathroom in the house you can’t continue to allow it to happen. Until she has earned her freedom keep her on a leash in the house so that she can’t sneak off and relieve herself.
Good luck!
