Dog Won't Potty Outside After Grass Was Removed?

Dave

July 1, 20100 found this helpful

It could be the gravel and rocks are hurting your dogs paws, some are very sensitive. It also could be that they just feel strange and make the dog uneasy or because they shift when stepped on the dog feels unbalanced. or it could just be the change has the dog upset, or it could also be the dog associates the area with the noises of the equipment used to make the change and is afraid of the area now. Lots of options, good luck and be patient as you work it out.

Gayle

July 1, 20100 found this helpful

For awhile I would take her out and not worry about the dog door. I would agree with zoodad. I would take her out and put her on the grass or stand outside the door with her and watch her go over the rocks and see if it is the problem. She can get use to them. I have 2 very, very small Chis and they have very sensitive pads, it was difficult to train them from the purchased doggie pads to newspaper because of the feel of the newpapers on the pad.

mellie

July 2, 20100 found this helpful

If your dog is used to going on grass, then I would suggest getting some grass. You can purchase pads of grass designed for dogs to go on at places like Petco or Petsmart. It can be kept in the garage or on a porch or patio. You'll have to retrain the dog to use it just like when you trained her to go outside as a puppy. And you may want to look into some urine and odor removers at the pet store also, then after using those, have the carpet professionally cleaned. If you get rid of all of the urine and odor, the dog is less likely to associate the carpet with his bathroom. Hope this helps. :-)

Rebecca Jessiman

July 2, 20100 found this helpful

You'll have to re-train her to use the rocks/gravel in the backyard. You've taken away her potty area, and the only way to stop her going in the house is to either create a small, real grass potty area for her, or purchase one of those fake grass potty pads and put it outside.