Disney doesn't want to poop in snow.

SheltieSmile

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Disney is almost 1 and has been housebroken since 7 months. I live in Indiana and we have a lot of snow and it's very cold. Since the snow came Dis has been sneaking in our Living room and going poop and pee. We have resorted to keeping him confined to the kitchen. When I let him out in the cold I stand there and watch if he doesn't go he can't leave the kitchen. He won't go in the kitchen because that is where his crate food and toys are. But it's been several weeks and whenever we think he gets it and let him out of the kitchen he sneaks back into the Living room and poops and pees. He just isn't getting it. Any suggestions?
 
Can you clear a small area outside and then sort of potty train to do it in that spot? If not, you will have to crate/pen/leash until you get through this. Let's hope it is not an ice age! Cute name -- Disney!
 
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Dickens did this sort of thing last year at about eight months of age. He didn't like being out in the heat, and figured that since the living room was a relatively unused place, it was fair game for doing his Number Twos. Absolutely nothing availed, until I finally caught him in the act and gave him hell for it. After that he was cured.
 
Tinsel had an accident in the family room during the last cold snap. His poor feet were getting soooooo cold that he wouldn't voluntarily stay out long enough to poop. He managed to do alright for the first day and a half but the second night was just too much. We were prepared for this eventuality but were concerned he might decide the FR was better than the outside so we would just keep taking him out to relieve himself until he did and then praised the heck out of him for being so brave. So far, he hasn't done it during this cold snap. We do clear a spot of the dogs and a path to it.
 
I have NO clue how you all function in those temperatures and with all the snow. Baffles me. We in California are so desperate for any type of moisture this year, rain, snow, aircraft jestisoning their water holding tanks, anything. I just took my dogs out and they were basking in the sun in January! Crazy.
 
I have one who hates the snow (Piper). I always have to make sure a path is shoveled and shovel a spot in the yard, then watch her like a hawk when she goes out, to make sure she does what she is out there to do.

With snow on the ground, covering their scent in the yard, you might take one of his "accident poops" and put it out on the shovelled area that you want him to use.
 
Shelby LOVES the snow and would spend the day just laying in it if we let her so going to the bathroom is not an issue. However because we have had so much snow it is very tiring for her to jump through it to get around so DH snow blows paths around the yard for her and that is where she usually will go potty.
 
Thanks for the replies. I've had him in the kitchen all day and took him out every hour. Nothing all day. Then he accidentally got out when someone came home. I thought I was watching the whole time but he snuck into the LR and did both:confused2: Such a booger. He held it all day. It's going to be a long winter at this rate. At least I know I am doing everything right. Just a strong willed boy. In all fairness I wouldn't want poty outside in this weather. It's bad enough I have to stand out there with him.
 
My Romeo didn't want to poop the first day of the snow outside - we got 14 inches ! We normally get a few inches at a time and that's all.

I live in a townhouse and so I put my tall waterproof riding boots on and walked back and forth between the houses to make a 'potty path'. He needs to walk a bit to work up a poop. He also doesn't like going on the sidewalk or street.

Anyway the potty path worked and other people have been using it with their dogs too. It took him a day or so to adapt but now he is fine. :biggrin2:
 
Here's an idea: a piece of Astroturf. Seriously, my friend had a huge section of her yard done in the stuff -- she has 11 Shelties (shows, breeds). She said it cost a mint (it covers about 1000 sq ft), but it's lasted for years and years, is easy to pick up poop from, and the dogs don't get muddy.

Just a square about 3x3 should work.
 
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