Hey CJ, Because of where I run him through the neighborhood, I can't leave him and stop, I have to get him off of the road. If I was biking down a path in the woods, I could just drop the leash and turn around, pick up his poop and move on. But not here. I live in hood yo. LOL The street is safer than the sidewalk unfortunately.

I am sort at a loss on why the usual protocol isn't working on him. I can *just* have stopped and get 500ft down the road and then he slams on the brakes. Weird thing is, when I stop I can tell he has to go (just look at the butthole) and he can't seem to find a good enough spot.

FYI I never implied Connie being wrong, I know she isn't...and I like Connie. I just didn't see a need for everyone to jump me about a knee jerk reaction that is NOT how I believe in training a dog.

 Quote: Tresa Hendrix

was one situation, one knee jerk reaction, **** happens. I wish I didn't mention that...

Tresa, I think it's a really good thing that you did mentioned that. You've been a member of this board long enough to know that omitting "critical" little details like that make it nearly impossible for anyone to help.

Getting to the crux of the issue, be it dog or human error, needs that pertinent information. As with dog on dog aggression, it can only take one time to change a dog's complete perspective on something.

If this was my dog, pooping would be a party, every single time. If we were in Buckingham Palace in front of the Queen, it would be a quick...excuse me while I get that and reward my dog and I'll be right with you.

I would be writing down each movement, time, place, maybe even distance from home. Get a good read on what he's doing (as inconsistent as it is) and then develop the plan to get it a little more consistent.

And no, I certainly wasn't implying that you "leave" him anywhere by any means. But rather than a tumble from your bike, once “safely” stopped, (usually just a second or two) you could quickly grab the flexi-line (did I just type that again ) for control.

And yeah, even in our neighborhood (we don't bike in the woods) it's not safe to let a dog go under any circumstances.

I just thought the additional line, because of the consistency with this, just might be an option for those life threatening, emergency type situations, where you've been completely caught off guard and in a bad set of circumstances.

 Quote: Tresa Hendrix

Not pooping in the field he always poops in when he obviously needs to poop, yeah that's stubborn, he's a Dutchie.

This is blaming him Tresa! And you also mentioned short of dragging him to a better place to go (a correction IMO) what can you do? First thing you can do is realize you are damaging your relationship with Logan. Skip the denials and excuses and then the second thing you can do is fix it.

I can feel your frustration in other snippets throughout this thread; you need him to be quiet, you have to jog him and bike him so he's not a pest, all so you can work. And I can empathize with this 100% there are times when living with a high energy dog is overwhelming.

This is where you need to put yourself first. While you work he is crated away from you out of sight and hearing range with something to keep him occupied; just like what most of us do when we leave the house to work for the day. He can't pester you if he can't get to you.......well you might need earplugs.

It sounds like you have lost the love of exercise with Logan, it happens when we are super busy and our brains are going over everything we need to get done and the exercise feels like a chore and a waste of time; getting this bathroom issue under control will probably help you regain your enjoyment.

If I were you, I would definitely teach an elimination command. If I could do it anyone can! Everytime he squats to move his bowels say your command word "hurry up" works. And throw a party with over the top rewards as you would with a puppy you are housebreaking. Never bring him in right away afterward, take a few minutes to throw a ball or pet him or anything just do not set up a pattern of having a BM means end of outdoor fun.

I taught this when Thor was 8 weeks old so we had lots of daily practice, with Logan its probably going to take a little longer because of lack of opportunities but make sure you say the cue "hurry up" and have the party everytime he BMs even in those near death experiences. You can work on getting him to go where you want later, for now you just want "hurry up" to equal do my business.

I wouldn't test it until you see some sort of positive sign to the "hurry up" cue. Then you can try it the next day before he actually goes, if you see he starts to do the ole sniff and circle he's getting it. Continue this and before you know it Logan will be going on command and you will be a much happier camper

Okay, I will advocate for the goofballs here...
Let's go back to before the correction thing and look at the "who came first" angle.
I overcame some issues with Sadie and my neighbors by doing things the opposite way (At this point, I will not be taking into account running dogs and peristalsis!). Because our dogs are not allowed to eliminate on the training or tracking field, my TD insisted that I teach my dog to eliminate on command. Also, Sadie, a little like Logan, is very specific about where she cares to eliminate. Any spot other than her usual is a territorial reflex.
Therefore, when leaving for a walk, I take her to her spot in the backyard first and have her defecate there. She then must hold it until we get back, and make sure to take her to the backyard for any last events. She actually anticipates going to the backyard before going back in the house. She is also on a set schedule.
Not saying this would work for you, but maybe a tighter routine would help him to fixate on when and where is okay. Combine this with the sledders' methods and it might all come together for you.

Does Logan have a potty "word"?

For both my dogs, when we are heading somewhere, I bring them to their specific spot and tell them to "go potty" and we are not leaving there until they complete their business, which can be #1, #2 or both depending on their schedule. This has worked very well and I can potty two Shepherds and a Pom in under 10 minutes if need be!

So could you try getting Logan to his first stop point on your bike ride and telling him to "go potty" and not leaving until he completes his business?

Not sure if this will work but thought I would throw that out there.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Good outline, Jamie.

"I started doing a few slow rides to catch him the second before he poops, then literally forcing him into a sit (he won't poop in a sit) then I'd ask him to bark THEN let him poop. By ride #3 he started giving me a yip a half second before he squats, just enough time to slam on the brakes."

What body language did you find most visible?

Change in his posture. He doesn't "hunch" like most dogs will do but there is just a difference in his gait. I can't explain it...but it's obvious when you see it. He's a very smooth moving dog, then he isn't and that is when I'd encourage him to bark and then go.

 Quote:

This is blaming him Tresa! And you also mentioned short of dragging him to a better place to go (a correction IMO) what can you do? First thing you can do is realize you are damaging your relationship with Logan. Skip the denials and excuses and then the second thing you can do is fix it.

His is very stubborn/particular about where he poops, call it anything you want but that's a problem I want a solution for. Is that blaming him by stating the problem? That's just the way he is. I DO NOT drag him ever, on or off the bike...never implied it...just a statement similar to "I couldn't stop the dog from chasing sheep, short of shooting the dog" In other words, there is nothing I can do at the point where he stops and starts pooping which I said.

So stop looking for a demon that isn't here. THAT gets so old on this forum. I just want a solution.

For everybody else:

He knows to go pee and poop on command. I say go pee and he'll pee almost anywhere, and poop if its the right place. The problem is his extreme particularity about where he must do it. When walking he holds it and waits for the next spot if the first for some reason isn't good enough. But on the bike, danger of sudden stop, not safe at all to do that.

CJ I know you didn't mean for me to leave him. Its just if he stops in the middle of the road where I have to ride, I can't let him stay there if a car comes flying around the corner or whatnot.

I feel like I have thought about everything already and tried it. If I say been there done that its because I have, its not an argument, these are all great ideas and I appreciate the help. This is not a "yes, but"....situation.

Jamie I think the barking idea sounds like its worth a shot. Maybe at least I could get to the curb.

Tresa;
IMHO, if you give him a spot to poop at home, instead of letting him decide on a spot away from home, it could help. It helped me. Except for the running thing, you CAN stop him from pooping while out on walks.

Tresa,
I am not looking for demons and I feel for you and want to help you succeed. But I do have first hand experience with dogs who have been over-corrected for pottying issues and the way you are describing Logan's behavior I think he already has conflicts. I make this statement from a place of knowledge and experience. (I don't say that lightly)

Several people other than me have suggested to teach a potty command. Okay, in his case, even easier, is to reteach it. Make it party time again, really positive so that it becomes a truly trained behavior not a hit or miss command. And if you want to tell me to go fly a kite (probably a euphanism? ) so be it. But like you always say, we're here for the dog's benefit which is why I am making this last attempt to help you in this tough scenario.

Now without meaning to sound badgering or judgemental I am going to ask a few questions: Once Logan has gone the bathroom, does running by the bike make him go again? Would it help you if you could see a pattern? Journal great suggestion if yes. And would it help your situation if his potty command was solid?

A signal is a really good idea; but it sounds like you would still be in danger biking while trying to teach it; which is why I am pushing for the more consistant potty command as a safer option.

And rest assured this will be my last post on this thread; unless you have any questions.