2 STEPS TO GET YOUR DOG TO POTTY AWAY FROM HOME
Does your dog refuse to go potty anywhere that isn’t their backyard? If you ever want to travel with your dog, send your dog to boarding, or need to evacuate with your dog, pottying away from home is an essential skill.
There are two separate complicating factors for lots of dogs when it comes to pottying away from home; the leash, and the new location.
This problem can be rectified with good antecedent arrangement and well timed food reinforcers.
Step 1 – The Leash
When you know they are extremely likely to potty, like first thing in the morning, put a few treats in your pocket, put their leash on, and take them to their normal potty spot.
When they go potty, praise and immediately pay them with food. Don’t wait till you go back inside to pay with food – payment should be immediate to reinforce pottying on leash.
When they are reliably pottying on leash in their normal potty spot, move on to step 2.
Step 2 – New Location
When you know they are extremely likely to potty, like first thing in the morning, grab a few treats, put their leash on, and take them to a new place to potty, like just out front. When they go potty, praise and immediately pay them with food.
After step 2, your dog will have reinforcement history for pottying on leash and in a place that isn’t their backyard.
Expand to new locations with each morning potty trip.