Encouraging new dog to go potty outside in the snow?

Jul.01, 2011 in General

Encouraging new dog to go potty outside in the snow?

Anyone have any tips for getting a dog to go potty outside during a snowstorm?

We brought home a dog from the Humane Society today (our first dog) and she hasn't been to the bathroom yet (been in the house just about 12 hours). She's about a year old.

She does have a cold (snuffling, a little wheezing and snotty nose) that the shelter did warn us about and gave us medicine for. She has barely touched the dry food we gave her (which was provided by the shelter so it's the same type of food she had been eating). She's drunk some water but not a lot.

We kind of figure with her being sick and stressed about being in a new place, she may not eat a lot right away as she adjusts. Is that normal? Especially with her being sick?

We've taken her outside a few times, but we are in the middle of a snow storm (we've gotten a couple inches since this afternoon) and she just doesn't seem interested in going to the bathroom. We've tried taking her around the neighborhood for a walk, but didn't want to keep her out too long because of the cold. (The last time I took her out, she really didn't want to go, and kept trying to get back to the door, so we didn't stay out long.)

Any ideas? I'm heading to bed soon, and while we moved her crate into my room so I can hear her if she starts whining or making noises to go out, I'm worried she's going to have an accident.

Comments (3)

3 Comments on “Encouraging new dog to go potty outside in the snow?”

admin
August 17th, 2009 at 6:18 pm

Just keep trying. I had to literally pick up and carry out my 55 lb dog the first few times she saw snow! She would not go out on her own. I stood there with her, and IGNORED her until she went potty. If you play with them while you're waiting, they'll think they are coming outside for other reasons. Now, she goes out on her own.

Oh, and like Bonzie said, I shoveled a little walk-way for them too. That way, they didn't go right by the door, but they could go where I wanted them to go without stepping in the deep snow!
admin
August 17th, 2009 at 6:18 pm

go to petsmart and get the grass sented potty mats let the dog get used to the smell and set it out side and trust me he will go
admin
August 17th, 2009 at 6:18 pm

Make a path in the snow for your dog to walk on, and shovel or pat down a spot for potty breaks. This will give the dog a chance to potty without having to shock it's system with the cold snow.

As for not eating and drinking, it's probably normal since it's adjusting to a new surrounding, although if things don't go back to normal in a day or two, either take the dog back to the humane society, or to your vet for a checkup to make sure nothing else is going on. It's good you kept the dog on the food it's used to for now, it'll help with the 'big change'. Congrats on the new dog and way to go on adoption!!

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