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Why Won’t My Dog Poop Outside? Actual Solutions

Why Won’t Your Dog Poop Outside

For dog owners, one of the most frustrating things can be when your pup refuses to do their business outside. You take them for a walk, they sniff around, and then they squat right in front of your door. Or, even worse, they wait until you’ve let them inside to do their business on your floor. 

So you’ll always find yourself frustrated and saying ” Why won’t my dog poop outside?”. While it may seem like a behavioral issue, there are a few possible reasons why your dog won’t poop outside.

Do you wish there was a surefire way to make your dog poop outside? Read on to learn some helpful tips that will get you started. 

Why Your Dog Won’t Poop Outside

There are several reasons that a dog might not poop outside. One reason may be that they are not used to it. If you just moved to a new house or apartment, your dog may not be used to the new surroundings and may not feel comfortable going to the bathroom outside.

Another reason may be that your dog is not feeling well. If your dog has diarrhea or is constipated, it may not want to go outside to poop.

Finally, some dogs simply do not like going to the bathroom in public and would prefer to do their business in the privacy of their own home. If your puppy won’t poop outside, it is important to address the issue. You can talk to your veterinarian or a dog trainer for advice.

The following are the most common reasons why your puppy won’t poop outside

Habits

If your puppy has been pooping inside the house, it’s likely because they’ve gotten used to doing their business indoors. In some cases your dog won’t poop outside but will pee, this may be also a question of habit since they haven’t developed the routine of pooping outside yet. It may take some time for them to get used to relieving themselves.

To get them to start pooping outside, you’ll need to be patient and consistent with your training. Start by taking them out to the same spot each time and praising them when they go. Eventually, they’ll get the hang of it and start pooping outside on their own.

Playtime

Puppies are full of energy and love to play, so they may not have time to stop and relieve themselves. If you want your puppy to start pooping outside, try taking them for a walk or playing with them in the yard before they have a chance to go inside.

Puppy Age (months)Exercise Time (minutes) 
15
210
315
420
525
630
730+

Trauma

If your puppy has experienced trauma, it may be one of the reasons why they are reluctant to poop outside. Trauma can cause a variety of emotional and behavioral problems, including fear, anxiety, and mistrust. If your puppy has been through a traumatic event, it is important to seek professional help to ensure that they receive the proper care and treatment.

Picky and Shy Poopers

Dogs who are picky about their poop location may be afraid to poop in new or unfamiliar places. If your dog is shy or fearful, it may also be hesitant to poop in front of people or other animals. If your puppy is having trouble pooping outside, try taking them to a quiet spot where they feel safe and comfortable.

Health-related issues

Several health-related issues can be the reason why your puppy won’t poop outside. These include gastrointestinal problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease or parasites; vomiting and nausea; decreased appetite, neurological problems, such as seizures; and anal sac disorders. If your puppy is having difficulty defecating, it’s important to take him to the vet to rule out any underlying health problems.

Getting Your Dog to Poop Outside

how to get your dog to poop outside

It is important to identify the reasons why your dog won’t poop outside so that you can choose the right method to help them change their behavior. The following are some training suggestions that will encourage your dog to relieve itself outside:

Plan for Your Puppy’s Poop

If you want your puppy to start pooping outside, it’s important to have a plan. First, choose an area in your yard that you want your puppy to use as their “bathroom.” Then, take your puppy to that spot frequently – after meals, naps, and play sessions – and let them sniff around. When they start to squat, give them lots of praise.

And, if you’re wondering how long to stay for your puppy to poop, this entirely depends on how quickly your dog will take to relieve itself. Make sure to be patient, so that your dog will develop the habit of pooping outside. With patience and consistency, your puppy will learn that this is the spot to go.

Leash Technique

The leash technique is a great way to help your dog poop outside. By keeping your dog on a leash while they are pooping, you can help them to feel more comfortable and relaxed while they are doing their business. This will help to prevent accidents and make the process much easier for both you and your dog.

It is essential to take them to the same desired pooping spot that you prepared before and say “Go, Go Potty time,” or another expression so that they associate their leash time with the phrase and know that it is time to poop.

Next, you will need to begin training your dog to poop outside. Some of the basic commands that you can use are sit, down, and come.

After you’ve taught your puppy these basic commands, you can now begin to use the leash to cue them to squat. Stand next to them with your dog on a leash and say “Go, Go, Potty.” When they start to go to the potty area, tug at the leash, and they should follow by squatting.

After they have been successful a few times, you can start to say the cue before they have started to go. You will also want to use plenty of praise and treats to help motivate them to do their business outside.

As your puppy becomes more comfortable using the potty in different areas, you can begin to take them outdoors. For the first few times, keep them close by your side or in front of you.

Make Use of Enzymatic Cleaner

If your dog poops inside the house, use an enzymatic cleaner to remove the smell of your puppy’s poop. This will prevent him from pooping inside and will help you get him to poop outside instead.

Crate Train Them

Crate training your dog can be an effective way to get him to poop outside. The key is to start with short periods in the crate and gradually increase the amount of time as your dog becomes more comfortable. 

You will also need to provide your dog with plenty of opportunities to go outside to poop. If you are consistent with your crate training, your dog should eventually learn to hold it until he can go outside.

Here are some tips to crate train your dog:

1. Choose the right size crate for your dog. It should be big enough for him to stand up and turn around in, but not too big that he can use one end as a bathroom.

2. Put the crate in an area of the house where he can see you and where he spends most of his time.

3. Get your dog used to the crate by feeding him meals in it and giving him treats.

4. When you take your dog out to poop, put him in the crate first and take him straight to the spot where you want him to go. If he does not go in the crate, go back inside and close the door.

5. When your dog is pooping outside, give him a treat and take him out to do his business when he is done.

Take them for Walks

If you want your dog to poop outside, you need to take him on walks. This will help him get used to the idea of going to the bathroom in a different place. You may need to do this for a while before he gets the hang of it. Be sure to take him to the same spot every time so that he learns to associate this with his walks.

Get Outside Frequently

Take your dog out frequently. Dogs typically need to go out about once an hour, so make sure to take them out regularly throughout the day. When he does his business outside, be sure to praise him so he knows he’s doing what you want.

Do They Feel At Home?

Many dog owners have a hard time getting their dogs to poop outside because they don’t feel at home. Dogs are very intuitive and can sense when they are not in their territory. If your dog refuses to poop outside make sure to make them feel at home by bringing their favorite toys and treats with you.

Offer Good Chews

If your dog tends to chew on his poops, you can distract him with a good chew. Try giving him a treat immediately after he drops his feces and then offer him a chew toy when he is done. This will help keep him occupied while also keeping him from chewing on his poop.

Lack of proper care

Dogs who are not receiving the proper amount of care or attention may not be able to poop outside. Some breeds of dogs were bred to live a low-stress lifestyle, which can impact their quality of life if they aren’t given enough exercise and stimulation. Lack of exercise can lead to poor digestion and therefore your dog has trouble pooping. Thus, make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercises. 

Sensitivity

A sensitive puppy may not like going outside in the first place. If your puppy is scared of thunderstorms or loud noises such as fireworks, they may not want to go outside in case there’s an unexpected sound or surprise. So, it is essential to be understanding of your dog’s fear. 

Enrich the Soil

The type of soil in your yard is just as important as the location. Choose the right soil mix for your yard and puppy. To make sure your dog has a good place to do their business, enrich the soil by adding a scoop of cat litter or grit. 

Do not use clay-based cat litter as it will dry out the soil. Try an all-natural soil mixture that contains all-natural ingredients, they are easy on your pup’s system.

Inability to reach the toilet

If your puppy is having trouble getting to the toilet, it may not be able to see or smell the feces. This can lead to them having a fear of going outside. If this is the case, you’ll need to take measures to provide them with a potty area inside the house. In most cases, providing them with a litter box will help them overcome their fear.

Reward Good Pooping

When your dog poops outside, make sure to give him lots of praise and a treat. Reward them when they are done pooping and take them out for a walk.

Be Consistent

It is essential to be consistent when you are training your puppy to poop outside. Dogs need consistency in their daily routine to feel safe and relaxed. If they are expecting to go out every time they do their business, they will.

Final Thoughts

There are many possible explanations for why your dog won’t poop outside, but fortunately, there are also many solutions. If your dog is resistant to going potty outside, try some of the following tips:

  • Take your dog out more frequently, especially after meals or naps.
  • Encourage your dog with treats or praise when they do go outside.
  • Make sure the area where you want your dog to go is clean and free of debris.
  • Try using a different type of poop bag or container.

With a little patience and perseverance, you should be able to get your dog to start pooping outside in no time.

What do you think?

Written by Jack

Jack is the founder of Germanshepherdsfamily, a german shepherds specific website where you'll find everything you need to know if you are a true lover of the German Shepherd breed!

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