Stupid questions from a newbie dog owner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the nice answers.

Yes, the dog is microchipped. Based on your answers I won't be leaving her outside a store even for a nanosecond.

We adopted the dog from a shelter. Getting the dog to pee and poop has been a big deal. We have had some success after a lot of walking. For the person who said to have the dog just do it in our yard, I would love that. But dogs from shelters have a hard time with housebreaking so this has been a process. This morning, for the very first time, the dog actually pooped during a walk. Yes, for the first time ever. She has yet to pee during a walk -- ever -- and has never pooped or peed in our yard.

By the way, I have invested more time getting this dog to poo and pee than potty training three children, including one special needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want a dog shitting in my yard...whether you pick it up or not. The remnants attract bugs and I just don't want it in my yard. I also don't want a dog pissing on a tree in my yard.

Find a park where he/she can walk.

And definitely don't leave the dog outside while you shop. I hope that wasn't really a serious question.

+1. Someone I work with did this, and the dog was gone when he returned outside. Never got it back.

[Anonymous]

OP - you have to get in a routine, and the dog will regulate his body to these times.

I also have a rescue dog, but am a long time dog owner.

She goes out 4 times a day, like clockwork. Yes, I am lucky enough to be able to go home at lunch to walk her. No one at my office knows I do this!

Anyways, she goes out with husband at 6:45am, I walk her at lunch, then we get home at 5:30 hubby walks her, and last walk of night is 9:30 or 10. We have gotten in this routine since we got her 4 yrs ago and never an accident except when she got sick from boarding.

Good luck with your new friend!

[Anonymous]

OP, the dog does regulate. If you have a fenced yard, use it. We have had plenty of shelter dogs throughout our lives (between DH and I). They get it sooner than you expect. Don't rule anything out. And don't be like my sister, she brings dogs home and fails to housebreak them, then blames them because she is too stupid and impatient to train them properly. That is how dogs end up in the shelter to begin with. I assume you don't want that?!

[Anonymous]

OP, we foster rescue dogs (from shelters), in addition to owning two now and many over the years, and the PPs are right -- they DO indeed regulate. Every single one of them. Some prefer to pee/poop only when off-leash, in your yard. Others do their business at first only on a leash, no matter how long they are left outside. But all eventually regulate to your routine, if you are CONSISTENT with that routine. Also, it IS possible to train your dog to pee and poop in partiuclar spots. Our current rescues are 11 and 8, the 8 yr old adopted two years ago and the 11 yr old adopted this year, and both were able to be trained easily by my taking them to the SAME place to pee, regularly, the minute we walked outside of my house. I would walk them out, purposefully, and point to a partiuclar spot and say "go pee." At first they would just look at me, but eventually they got the message -- if they didnt' pee then but started to somewhere else, I immediately pulled them to the spot I wanted them - that THIS was where I wanted them to go. No more ruined lawn and no annoyed neighbors - they pee on the side of our yard by the woodchips.

Good luck with your new family member, and I am very glad you risked DCUM wrath to find out never to leave your dog outside the store.
Thanks for asking and not just assuming you know it all

[Anonymous]

Thanks again for the advice.

We are being super consistent about walking and it seems to be showing results. I took yesterday off and DH is taking today off. Hopefully the weekend will be better too. She's a wonderful dog and we are certainly not giving up on her...she's a member of the family.

Thanks for the tips on pointing out a spot for her.

[Anonymous]

We live across the street from some shops and about once a month I grab a dog that has been tied in front of one of the stores. The owners are always shocked that the dog got off leash. Don't ever do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks again for the advice.

We are being super consistent about walking and it seems to be showing results. I took yesterday off and DH is taking today off. Hopefully the weekend will be better too. She's a wonderful dog and we are certainly not giving up on her...she's a member of the family.

Thanks for the tips on pointing out a spot for her.

16:21 here. Then it sounds like you're doing the right thing (and great you're seeing progress!). Being consistent, asking for advice when you need it, and otherwise going about dog ownership in a responsible manner is what is needed for the best possible experience owning a pet Good luck, and I hope you'll continue to post with questions as they arise.

[Anonymous]

Eh, our neighborhood Trader Joes has a specific spot ( with a sign and water bowls) for leaving dogs. It's very common and I've never heard of it being an issue. I think there are some overly paranoid people in this thread.

That said-I wouldn't do it with a newly adopted dog. They need time to settle in and get used to you and you need time to learn if they have the right temperament.

[Anonymous]

If you are located in DC, OP, you should know that it is not legal to leave a dog unattended outside shops and such.

As for walking, avoid allowing your dog to stray too far into a neighbor's yard, and always pick up after the dog. Your dog should always be leashed. As for disposal, as long as you don't trespass in anyone's yard, use the nearest trashcan for your tied up bag and you will be fine.

(Don't ask DCUM, as a rule, about dogs or dog care. Most of the posters here are hysterical animal haters who will tell you dogs are filthy and scary. You can't trust that kind of irrational hate.)