I remember a while back, I was talking to a disgruntled owner whose dog refuses to pee outside.
And when I say refuses, I mean they’d quite literally make a dash from the backyard into the house to turn the carpets a darker shade of yellow.
Strange? …just a little.
Frustrating? …as hell.
And while you might find it peculiar that a fully grown adult dog would exhibit this type of behavior. It turns out that nothing is off-limits in the realm of doggy behavioral issues.
Why did the dog do it? …who knows.
But if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that a dog that refuses to pee outside can not only ruin your carpets, it can also start to ruin your life.
Just think of how many hours you could potentially save if you didn’t have to mop up the floor on a daily basis.
Think of how much more relaxed you’d be if you didn’t have to watch your dog 24/7 just to make sure they didn’t sneak off into the other room and do the unthinkable.
Unfortunately, this is a problem that thousands of owners are faced with every day.
So what can you do?
Well, going back to basics is a great place to start.
Even if your dog has previously been potty trained. It’ll hugely benefit both you and your dog by revisiting the bare essentials and getting them up to speed with the potty training process.
It’ll also make sure you’ve covered all your bases and maybe even pick up a trick or two that you previously missed.
So before you do anything else, I’d highly recommend taking a few minutes to check out the Potty Training Made Easy Course from Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Trainer. (see video below)
Not only is it free, but it’ll give you some rare insights into how to get your dog fully potty trained in the shortest time possible. Saving you time, hassle, and a whole lot of frustration when it comes to getting your dog to pee outside.
Here’s the video link to take a look: Potty Training Made Easy – Get Your Dog Fully Potty Trained The Quick & Easy Way
(video will open in a new window)
Here’s Why Your Dog Refuses To Pee Outside
A dog that insists on peeing indoors rather than the nice patch of grass you’ve specifically picked out for in the backyard is always going to be problematic.
And while there are multiple reasons for your dogs not wanting to pee outdoors (medical issues, anxiety, etc.), it’s by no means impossible to get the situation under control and have them peeing like a pro.
It’s all about…
A) Understanding why they refuse to relieve themself outdoors…
…and B) Putting in place an effective plan of action to address it.
If you can zone in on why your dog acts the way they do (rather than just guess), you’ll be in a much better position to do something about it.
Some of the more common reasons your dog’s outdoor pee refusal could include…
Fear Or Anxiety
Even the bravest, most dominant dogs have their vices. And it’s not uncommon for even the smallest thing to change your dog’s attitude towards a particular situation.
Loud fireworks, the neighbor’s cat shooting them daggers, even a car backfiring in the distance could be all it takes to turn your dog into a nervous wreck at the thought of heading outdoors.
It may sound a little silly to you and me, but negative experiences (no matter how insignificant they might seem) can be all that’s needed to turn your dog into a neurotic mess at the thought of cocking their leg up near the bushes and watering the plants.
Breed
It might sound odd that a particular breed of dog might be more reluctant to go outside than others. But the truth is that it can make a huge difference.
Take Chihuahua’s, for instance…
This is a particular breed that (although small) is typically courageous and brave.
However, it’s a little-known fact that due to their short stature and naturally thin coat, Chihuahua’s feel the cold a hell of a lot more than other breeds.
So if you live in a naturally cold and/or wet climate, the great outdoor is going to be highly unappealing to them.
It can be the same for other naturally short breeds as well. Like Miniature pinschers, Dachshunds, Shih Tzu’s. These are all breeds that are naturally closer to the ground and will often opt for a cozy indoor spot if weather conditions don’t permit.
Related Post: Solved! How To Toilet Train A Puppy In 7 Days – Housetrain ANY Dog Now!
Medical Issues
Although not as common in refusal to pee outdoors, never rule out any potential health issues that could be causing your dog to pee inside on a regular basis.
As dog’s age, things like urinary tract infections or urinary incontinence (the urgent need to pee) can play a part in your dog failing to make it outside in time.
Even seemingly unrelated issues like dementia or cognitive dysfunction can be a known cause for your dog forgetting where they’re supposed to go. So they ultimately opt for the next best place, which just so happens to be right in the middle of the kitchen floor.
Familiar Smells
We all know that dogs have a keen sense of smell, right?
In fact, most dogs have an average of around 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose. And their commitment to interpreting these smells can be anywhere from 35-40 times greater than our own.
Just to compare, we have around 6 million olfactory receptors, which means dogs can easily sniff out things we’d never smell in a million years.
Why is this important?
Because if your dog has ever relieved themself or marked in the house (even once), they’ll always do their best to retreat back to that place when they feel the urge to pee.
Even if you think you’ve removed every last drop of pee from every single fiber on your carpet. Chances are your will still be able to detect it, which will make them more prone to returning to the scene of the crime at a later date.
They Don’t Know Any Better
If you’ve recently adopted a rescue dog or a dog that’s previously lived elsewhere, you need to consider the fact they may not have been trained to go outdoors.
Maybe they’ve been accustomed to using pee pads or a little box their entire life, and the prospect of going outdoors in an unfamiliar environment doesn’t sit too well with them.
While this isn’t impossible to correct, it does require a little in-depth knowledge on your part to slowly encourage your dog to pee outdoors.
So remember the Potty Training Made Easy Course I was talking about earlier? …now would be the time to take a look and start implementing some of the simple concepts Dan teaches in this short course.
Even if you think you know everything, they may be a tip or trick that you’ve yet to discover. And it could be the difference between a dog that NEVER learns to pee outdoors…
…Compared to a dog that will happily head outside when they feel the urge to pee.
Here’s the link again to take a look: Potty Training Made Easy – Potty Train ANY Dog The Quick & Easy Way…
How To Get Your Dog To Pee Outside… Every time!
Now we’ve looked at some of the potential reasons your dog refuses to pee outside. Let’s dive into what you can do to get your dog running to the backyard when they gotta go.
So have a quick read and implement the following…
Learn To Create Positive Associations With The Outdoors
If your dog has a particular fear or anxiety that shows up when they urinate outdoors. A healthy dose of positive reinforcement could be just what the doctor ordered.
Basically, your aim is to replace any negative associations your dog has with the outdoors (specifically peeing) with new positive associations that will help them overcome them.
You’ll need something your dog truly values here, like their favorite toy or a preferred snack or treat to make this work. But when done consistently, it can slowly change your dog’s regular associations with peeing outdoors a thing of the past.
So here’s what you need to do…
For starters, you’ll need to be inseparable from your dog for at least a few days and take them outside a lot more than you normally would.
Start slowly at first and take your dog out regularly every 60-90 minutes and let them have free roam of the designated spot you’d prefer them to pee.
It’s important to note here that once you’ve picked out a spot, don’t change it, as this will only confuse your dog and lead them to pee in random places as and when they please.
Keeping them leashed here often works pretty well as it will restrict them from wandering off too far or, worse still, heading back indoors when they feel the urge to pee.
Anyway, once your start noticing some of the obvious signs your dog needs to go (pacing, sniffing the floor, etc.), closely monitor their behavior.
If they seem stressed, anxious, or make an attempt to head indoors, do your best to provide a temporary distraction by tossing them a treat of giving them their favorite toy to play with.
The idea here is to get your dog used to associate good things happening whenever they pee outdoors.
And while it can take several attempts (and a lot of distractions), keep at it, and your dog will eventually get the message that pee + outside = treats and praise.
Remove Negative Triggers & Distractions
You might be surprised to know that even the smallest things can set your dog off in a bad way.
And while they might not make it known to you that anything is amiss, it can still make them unwilling to pee outdoors.
So take a minute to consider the following…
Are there any potential distractions that could be stopping your dog from pulling the trigger?
- For instance, is their designated spot too close to a loud, busy road?
- Is the dog next door shooting them the evil eye?
- Are you standing too close, and they’re a little camera shy?
Really consider all of the options here as well. Because even the most seemingly insignificant thing could be the difference between them going outdoors…
…Or finding a nice quiet spot indoors to do their business away from prying eyes.
Visit The Vet
This will usually apply more to senior dogs, but medical issues should never be ruled out, no matter what age your dog is.
Again, cognitive dysfunction and dementia are a lot more common than you think.
And while not they’re not directly related to your dog’s bladder control, they can often cause your dog to forget where they’re supposed to go to the bathroom. Which can result in them popping a squat and downloading on your nice new rug.
So if you have any doubt or suspicions at all, book an appointment and get them checked out.
Go Back To Basics
Sometimes, taking a few steps back to move forward is the only way that things are going to get better.
And while you might groan at the idea of starting all over again. The benefits of going back to the basics will eventually outweigh the negatives, provide you follow a proven plan of action.
If you’re unfamiliar with the potty training process, a certified dog trainer can sometimes be an ideal solution; however, you’ll need to be prepared for the hefty cost that comes along with it.
Alternatively, you could make a start by applying some of the techniques Dan outlines in the Potty Training Made Easy Course.
Not only will it save you time locating and hiring an expensive dog trainer. It’ll also teach you how to be prepared for any issues that may come up in the future.
Wrapping Things Up
All in all, a dog that point-blank refuses to pee outside is always going to present itself as an issue.
However, it’s ultimately how you deal with that issue that’s going to determine your dog’s potty training success in the long run.
Remember, creating positive associations is essential, along with removing any negative triggers that may be stopping the free flow of your dog’s willingness to pee.
But I guarantee that if you follow the above advice and remain consistent, your dog will be peeing like a champ in no time at all.
