Training dogs to poo in one spot of yard?

Question

Growing up my dogs would only poo in a corner of the yard instead of all over, and it made it very easy to clean up. Well my husband and I are moving from 10 acres to a bit under 1 acre, so we know that we are going to have to start picking up their landmines and want to know, is there a way to train them to go in one spot instead of all over like they are used to? Right now it's not a big issue cause they go towards the back of the property, not in the yard, but on 1 acre we will have to pick it up and want it to be as easy as possible. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Additional Details

Yes, I know an acre is big, but when you have dogs that are used to 10 and you move them to 1 it makes a big difference for everyone. Trust me our new yard in completely fenced which is something else they will need to get used to also, along with the kids cause when we had 10 only certain areas were fenced and the rest was all open. So big changes are coming for all. I am also not trying to be lazy, we are very responsible dog owners and would not put our pets in harms way what so ever, I just know that I was raised on a city lot and the 2 dogs we had were easy to clean up after, due to only going in one spot instead of all over. Could that also make a difference, since they had a small yard they went in one area cause it was a small city lot, and since we have a bigger lot they have more room to sniff and have more freedom?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Dogs poo & pee by scent, & because they go where it 'smells right', you need to make the spot where you want them to go 'smell right'. So when you get in your new home, don't allow them to roam freely to poo, at least not for awhile. Walk them only in the spot where you want them to go. After the scent is there, you can allow them to roam freely within your fenced yard. If they have any accidents or are stubburn & poo else where, scoop it & place it in the potty area you decided on. You shouldn't have to do this long before it 'smells right'.

We went through this with our Weimaraners & we learned to make their potty area the corner of the yard they would go to the least. They liked to watch us as we walked to the neighbors, & they ran & played on that side of the yard, cuz they could see us from there. I'm sure you know they won't poo in an area where they play or walk through often, so bear this in mind when you choose their potty area. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Try just getting a small corral-type-fence-thing haha I don't know the word for it but when you take them out just let them in there? Use a tie-out stake, I mean you may have to walk in a bit of a circle but it's still in a concentrated earleir. And never leave your dog on a tie out stake unattended, by the way.

Answer 3

When you first move there take your dog outside on leash to where you want them to go. Also try putting there fecile matter in the area where you want them to go so they get the idea.

Answer 4

I just sent you an email for what works for me.

Answer 5

The way we did it was when our dog pooped, we would scoop it up and put it in the spot where we wanted him to go. It took a little while, but it really did work :) We never had to show him, he just knew after awhile. Give it a try. I hope it works for ya........ :)

Answer 6

dogs generally go where they find an interesting scent. their sense of smell is 600 times better than ours so it would be a "dog smell", so to speak. And just under an acre is bigger than you think..
anyway, i suggest you not use a dog run enclosure or anything else. they will develop anxiety issues, including behavioral problems... just introduce them to your property, and let them roam. just make sure they STAY on your property.
besides, it's best they not always go in the same place-- they could walk through the feces, getting poop on their paws for one thing... your pet's HEALTH should come first. lots of poop in one spot could lead to the spread of diseases like heart-worms, fleas, etc.-- a dog only needs to be bit by ONE infected mosquito in order to develop heart-worms. my puppy got bit and had to have heart surgery to get the worms out.... just seeing worms living IN her heart was gross enough, but the idea that all it took was a mosquito bite made me nauseous. i think you should just do what the rest of us do.

Source(s):

dog owner for 30 years

Answer 7

I have a small yard but I trained my puppy to go in one place by building a fenced off area that I clean regularily and hose off. I got him to go because a treat when he goes potty there goes a long way to keep him going there. You just have to be around. The fencing is just normal rabbit fencing. If you are not around to watch them they will go anywhere.