This might sound ridiculous and please don't laugh.

Yesterday I was very happy, why? because Logan finally pooped IN the yard!!! He normally won't poop in the yard but only at the field we walk to. The problem is waiting him out has caused him to suddenly dump without warning (like he can't hold it any longer) after I have given up and left the yard. He will out of nowhere just stop and crap ANYWHERE. Crossing the street, bikejoring, obedience training...etc. I wish he would just poop in the yard...he would also crap in my neighbor's yard if I let him but no, not our yard.

Yesterday I rewarded him profusely for pooping 2x in our yard. Today I had to get his walk in early so I could go to the gun range and he crapped in the field today.

Do you think if I just keep rewarding him for pooping in the yard he will just do it more? I know this sounds stupid but I have never had this exact issue before...a dog not using his own yard to poop. I can tell he needs to go but he refuses to do it here.

Personally, I would just keep doing what your doing. Throw a party when he poops in your yard, he'll figure it out.

Just as a suggestion if you really want him to poop in your yard, when I train my puppies to potty, I take them out on leash to a particular spot and wait for them to potty. If they do, great, party on. If not, then we try again later in that same spot. Over time it just becomes a habit, they go to the same spot.

Maybe it would work for you.

Good luck!

I think the biggest thing I come across is people take them out, they poop, quick party and it's back as you were. People are often happy to go back to what they were doing but if most dogs are like mine, they poop and they're ready for action.

If mine need to go, I make sure they're where I need them, out of the house, out of the vehicle, out of an inappropriate public area. They get their opportunity and if it's a no go, it's back to where they were. Try again a bit later.

In the beginning, when they're learning and they do go, that's my queue for their exercise. Head out for that walk, a training session or just a fun romp around. They quickly learn that poop triggers good times ahead and not just a quick treat.

I think we're often in a hurry. We do everything right but, to them, they just want more.

Sound like Logan is much like my guys. A good dump has them feeling energized and ready for action. Maybe somehow he's associated the inaction of the yard to waiting. If he holds out, maybe you'll take him for a walk. Like you say, he's ready at your neighbor's. Maybe just as you're heading out it's woo hoo, good dump, here we go!!

I know it's not always convenient and timing can be tricky but if I was having that problem, I'd probably hold off on walks and fun exercise sessions until just after he dumped. Have him start learning that the dump triggers the walk rather than him thinking his waiting is what will get him out there.

I would agree with everything that has been said above. Just wait it out and then reward profusely.


And on different note...I love women shooters!

 Quote: Tresa Hendrix

Today I had to get his walk in early so I could go to the gun range

An aquaintence of mine with three GSD's once told me that a GSD will never poop in it's own yard (and he was proud of this! implying that any dog that would is a lesser dog in his eyes).
Of course, I just rolled my eyes at the idea and didn't argue.

But it makes me wonder if some dogs do have a broader sense of not defacating in their own space to include their crate, house AND yard, especially if it's not reinforced enough as a puppy for them to go where they are told to.

Not sure what bearing this really has, just an interesting point of view to ponder...

I love shooting

Thanks everybody BTW!

As weird as this might appear...I have though about tossing some of my neighbor's dog's poop into my yard, he loves to mark over other dogs. Wonder if it might work. My neighbor's are out of town.

His poop time is right about 4pm...so walking generally needs to be done before that (after school is out so we can play fetch). I can walk him after pooping if he poops early enough...normally I have always walked at poop time but I don't want to be slave to this anymore, I want him to poop where I say.

I wonder if he would compromise and poop down the street. I guess I have to make up my mind and stick to a routine that forces him to do it here and reward with a game. I waited for him to poop today but he didn't and I gave in because he is very annoying when un-walked.

How peeing is ok in the yard but not poop?

Yesterday, waited for poop....nothing, short walk and pooped during the walk but wasn't all of it I could tell, went home and no poop.

Today waiting him out, still no poop. Playing doesn't stimulate anything. He's holding out.

Warning: Don't let him get impacted.

Yeah I thought about that...if he doesn't poop tonight I guess its not worth the fight, I feel mean. The neighbor's yard is the only closest place he'll do it...go figure...not even our front yard. Thanks anyway you guys! Maybe if I keep praising him when he does it will make a difference.