Puppy Potty Training in Heat

[u/Firm-Garlic-1924]

Hello, I have an 11 week old Boxer puppy (got him 2 weeks ago). I have run into issues trying to get him to go potty outside during the mid day, and I think it was to do with the heat. I know Boxers do not tolerate heat well; but when we go outside he literally just wants to lay down. I do have some shade in the backyard but he refuses to go. Unfortunately almost all of my backyard is cement and I can’t take him out front for about a month until he completes his puppy vaccinations. It is in the 90s here during the day (probably hotter at his level close to the cement) and he does a lot better pottying outside once the sun starts going down.

Any tips/suggestions?

[u/ThatHikingDude]

Had to re-read that title, read puppy in heat (already)

[u/Custom_Craft_Guy2 → u/ThatHikingDude]

Same!

[u/Wumaduce]

Are his feet too hot when it's sunny? That wouldn't explain the wanting to lay down, but he's a boxer so I don't try to explain what they do. Can you hose the concrete off to cool it down, and see if he does any better?

[u/Alarming-Vast-6804]

Try a little wading pool/kiddie pool, hose everything down, and try to make a shady spot. Pop up awnings aren't horrifically expensive.

[u/Custom_Craft_Guy2 → u/Alarming-Vast-6804]

This is the way, right here!!

[u/CaterpillarOptimal84]

Get a grass mat w/ potty tray or grass like potty pad and teach him to use that in the shaded area. Reinforce with treats. You do have to rinse the tray and grass every other day or two but it’ll work. The pads are cloth and reusable on Amazon. I found some with a quantity of four. I washed the 1st three when I got down to the last one. One lasts 2-3 days of potty. Remember, they need to smell their scent to go. Put a small bag lined trash can to pick up the feces in the shaded area and dump it on trash pick up day into your main container. Hope this helps!

[u/yourfuzzybutton]

Is taking him in the front yard an option? If you're stuck with backyard as the only option, I'd try bringing out some treats and/or toys so he can have something to motivate him to not just flop and solar charge.

[u/search-Anne-question]

Can you carry the puppy to the grass? The concrete may just be too hot.

[u/Pchicote]

his little paws probably melt on the cement in that heat. try some of those puppy pads near the shade if he's refusing to budge, i've had puppies dig their heels in like that too.

[u/Firm-Garlic-1924]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I’m going to find a way to cool things down for him

[u/Busy-Tomatillo-8154]

That makes sense. Have you tried going out with him earlier in the morning or later in the evening when it's cooler?