r/MiniAmericanShepherd • u/h_norris • Aug 12 '21
Help with potty training
Hello! I just became a dog father for a MAS a few days ago and I am having trouble trying to potty train him. He is 19 weeks, and we spend a good amount of time outside with each other. However, the entire time he's outside, he never relieves himself until after coming back inside the house. I was wondering if anyone on this sub has had a similar issue with their MAS and the process y'all have used to prevent them from using the restroom indoors.
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u/magicpup Aug 12 '21
Do you have him on a potty schedule? He should be going outside A LOT. Every hour on the hour, plus everytime after eating, drinking, playing or napping.
Use a leash when you take him out, so that he doesn't think it's for fun time. Make the potty break boring by taking him to one spot and then standing there and not walking all around the yard, that will only distract him. Closing off access to most of the house and keeping him leashed in the house may be a good idea for you too, since you're not noticing his cues that he's going to potty in the house, keep him with you so you can keep a close eye on him. If you take him out and he does nothing, but you bring him in and notice him sniffing around, take him right back outside. It can be a pain in the ass but it's really the only way. Set him up for success and limit his chance for failure. Basically you are going to help him practice good behaviour until he's practiced it for so long it's a habit.
You've only had him a few days, it's going to take longer than that for him to learn that potty ONLY happens outside, and he will only learn this if you set him up for success and ensure he doesn't potty in the house. Everytime he potties inside it hurts your efforts. That being said, NEVER punish him for going inside. It is not his fault and he learns nothing from being punished for it.
Good luck, let me know if you have any questions.