Strange Behavior

scbelle · Post by **scbelle** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:11 am

Ok, this may sound odd, but Katie seems to only want to poop when straining at the end of the leash. This is not easy for me as I stand on a slight hill so she can go into our wooded area to do her business, so I am afraid of being pulled off balance.

We do not have a fence and her recall is not great yet (seven months old). I could use my long lead, but as there are a lot of trees, she will tangle herself quickly.

Any Ideas?

Mattie · Post by **Mattie** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:55 am

You don't have to let her have all the long lead, just enough to give her room to do what she needs to.

griffin · Post by **griffin** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:18 pm

What Matte said. Be glad it's a leash thing, my Eddie will not poop in the rain and he is 3 years old

Shoot, her barely pees in the rain.......

Cracker · Post by **Cracker** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:45 am

Some pups require a bit more "privacy" for doing their business..lol.
I agree, use a longer lead and just give her as much as she needs to be comfortable and then shorten it up again for the rest of your outside time. I think, being a puppy, we should simply be happy they want to do it outside and can work on having her go closer to you later..lol.

scbelle · Post by **scbelle** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:07 pm

Ok, tried the long lead and it did help. Just have to remember to grab it instead of the 6ft every time. Hard to change a habit!

The funny thing is that she does not do this when on walks. She's just as prone to go on my shoe if she needed to badly enough!

Thanks for the input.

And just a FYI for fun. I spent a few minutes today working on "find it" with her favorite toy. She did GREAT!! This is reinforcing the "stay" command for her as well. Her KONG WUBBA is as effective as treats for this training!

I am having so much FUN!!

Mattie · Post by **Mattie** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:02 am

That is what having dogs and training them is all about, having fun

Sometimes we are too close to see the obvious, we have all been there, and I have found that the easiest solution is always the best and less stressful.