Exactly right -- save the play & exercise for separate outings <:-)

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I mean, he already knows to relieve himself outside and he knows how to communicate to us when he does have to go outside, so why wouldn't it be beneficial to continue with his training and move forward?

Is your deck outside?? <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I know what you mean about having to work with young pups when the weather is cold. If you have "trained him" to "go outside," then I imagine he thinks he's doing fine when he goes on your outside deck.

I've dealt with that problem too - young pups, it's cold, you know you can sort of send them out, but they go 1 or 2 feet from the door - even if that's on your deck. IMO, you have to suck it up, put on a coat and boots or whatever, and brave the potty area WITH your pup. But if you figure out a short cut, I'm all ears!!! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Beth

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IMO, you have to suck it up, put on a coat and boots or whatever, and brave the potty area WITH your pup.

That's what works for me too. And if a side benefit is it reinforces poops/pees ON COMMAND (geez, is that convenient in a hurry), we get some playtime in, maybe a bit of fun attention and 'come' training to bond better, only for the best in my opinion.

I agree with everyone that advised to put on the coat and go outside. I ran into a problem years ago with the same sort of thing training a pup. I got lazy and just let him out while the training was still realatively new. I have always treated pups and adult dogs for doing their business outside, at the time they finish doing it. I accidently trained the wrong behaviour because the treat was inside waiting for the dog. Bottom line, the treat became associated with comming in, not doing his business so I wound up with a pup that wanted to go out and immediately turn around and come inside for his treat if he didn't have to go bad. If he had to go bad he would pee about a foot from the door if the weather was bad and yes, in one house it was on the deck. Luckily I figured out what was happening pretty quick and put on the coat so we could both share in his experience as soon as it happened. Go potty, get a treat. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

One additional oppinion, Unless you can physically immediately pick up the pup when you say NO and move him to the proper area, teaching him where to go I wouldn't say anything if he goes on the deck. The training message is too unclear, is he getting repremanded for peeing?, for peeing outside? for peeing if he can see you in the window? and if he did wrong, whats right? Just my oppinion.

Thanks for all your great advice. I think we have done a couple different things wrong... I've noticed that when he does go outside by himself with us at the door coaching him, he relieves like maybe 1 foot away from our patio (our hot tub is near there, not the kind of warm and steamy feeling I was hoping for). And we have been treating him when he comes inside and I think that is why he always rushes in the house and maybe doesn't get "everything" out. My plan of action now is to bundle up, grab a couple treats, and make a new designated area for him to go and treat him OUTSIDE, not inside...my mistake... But when he was younger and told us HE HAD TO GO! We just rushed out asses out the door with him so's not to lose momentum (if that makes any sense). And then treat him after we came inside. And I don't think he ever really had a "designated area," before, he'd go anywhere b/c we were always right there in the grass with him. And my guess is I'm probably going to have to leash him to make that designated spot.
It is so nice to have so many people help you gain some perspective on a situation! Thanks to everybody!! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

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It is so nice to have so many people help you gain some perspective on a situation!

And the best part is, most likely you'll remember all of the advice you receive here, and then be able to pass it on to someone else who needs it. It's a win-win situation <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> .

this brings back fond memories of going out w/my 8 wk old last march after a blizzard had dumped 24" of snow on us <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> the little booger just trotted around on top of the snow while i slogged thru it....

but it was worth it: he knows what "hurry up" means, still gets praised for it (never did use treats), knows where to go, and i started turning him out w/out me only about 2 months ago. oh--and i think the rotten weather actually helped: i was cold, so it was outside, take care of business, then back in. if he was a little slow w/the BM, brisk walking really does help "move" things along. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

stick with it--it hasn't even really gotten winter yet up there!!

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It is so nice to have so many people help you gain some perspective on a situation!

And the best part is, most likely you'll remember all of the advice you receive here, and then be able to pass it on to someone else who needs it. It's a win-win situation <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> .

Exactly what Jan said.After always asking advice from everyone and not being able to give much back being fairly new it's nice to chime in when I think I have a clue <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Anne hit it exactly when she said

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he knows what "hurry up" means

it doesn't matter what the cue word means, but when they learn to get moving and GO when you are using it, the value of this can't be measured! So whether the weather is bad, or you are in a huge hurry, it's so wonderful when you know your dog will do their business and be on 'E' for the next few hours!